Frick Arts Foundation announces cash awards to rising stars of the Austin art community. The third annual awards of $1250 each were granted to ten artists in October this year. 2026 awards were given to Maya Gauvin, Irene June Chau, Hannah Spector, Bieke Campos, Swathi Konduri, Rachel Salcido, Jasna Boudard, Chantal Lesley, Dana Perrotti and Ania Davila.

This year’s nominations and jury were led by influencers of the Austin arts scene, Jill Schroeder, former owner/director of GrayDUCK gallery, Savannah Diaz, Managing Director Ivester Contemporary Gallery, and Ariana Gomez, Award winning artist and 2024 Frick Arts Awardee.

The caliber of work from this year’s new artists is incredible and reflects the growth of Austin’s arts as the city continues to raise the bar for both the art made here and collectors who are buying it.” said Kevin Ivester, director of Frick Arts Foundation, and owner of Ivester Contemporary.

The Frick Arts Foundation was formed in 2024 explicitly to support the growing Austin visual arts community and offer emotional encouragement to artists at the most difficult beginning stage of their careers. For the third year, the awards have no strings attached, no applications, with 10 surprise awards granted every year. 

“Being on the jury was almost as much fun as winning the award.” said Ariana Gomez, jurist and prior Frick Arts awardee. “It was such a surprise and a huge boost at a moment when I really needed it. Incredibly rewarding to help give that gift to new winners this year.”

In an unusual move, Frick Arts Foundation was founded in 2024 without massive donations or huge expectations of fund-raising with the belief that smaller amounts of cash and a handful of people with a good eye for talent could make a difference in the community of artists in Austin.

“I love that when Laurie Frick started this, as an artist she understood how much a little encouragement and direct support can mean to an artist.” Said Savannah Diaz, Managing Director at Ivester Contemporary Gallery. “The early years as an artist develops and tries to show their work can be incredibly tough, this award finds artists at just that moment.”

For more information about the Frick Arts Foundation and its initiatives, please visit https://www.frickartsfoundation.com/ or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/frickartsfoundation/

About Frick Arts Foundation
Established in 2024, Frick Arts Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to supporting the vibrant yet often unseen artistic talents within our community. Our mission is to discover, nurture, and promote underappreciated artists in Austin, Texas, by providing them with the financial support and public recognition they deserve. https://www.frickartsfoundation.com/