Two artists from the University of New Haven community were awarded artist fellowships from the Connecticut Department of Office of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts.

Joseph Smolinski and Noel Sardalla were recognized by the University of New Haven after they received two of the 46 FY12 fellowships in support of their continual artistic development and creation of new work.

There were grants given in the amounts of $2,500 and $5,000 for the categories of Craft, New Media, Painting, Photography, Sculpture/Installations and Works on Paper.

Both Smolinski and Sardalla received $2,500 awards. Smolinski received his fellowship for his Works on Paper, and Sardalla received his award for his work with Sculpture/Installation.

Smolinski is a UNH lecturer in the Art and Design Department and said, “I am interested in exploring the intersection of nature and technology. Many of my works question human impact on the environment and envision the future of the natural world with a dark sense of humor.”

Sardalla is a university student majoring in art and is an administrative assistant in the Communications and Public Affairs Office.

“My goal is to make the arts relevant to non-artists by making people understand that creativity and expressive literacy can have profound and beneficial effects in other fields such as engineering and medicine,” he said.

There were many other New Haven and surrounding community members that received fellowship awards in recognition of their artistic talents and efforts. There were a total of 331 applicants that were reviewed by a panel of experts in their respective fields.

It was a highly competitive process and great accomplishment for Smolinski and Sardalla to come out on top!