Oak Spring Fellowship for Distinction in Fine Crafts and Design

In 2027, Oak Spring will award its inaugural Fine Crafts and Design Fellowship to an early-career craftsperson or designer whose work demonstrates exceptional skill, artistic vision, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. This fellowship celebrates the intersection where form meets function, while honoring the aesthetics, material integrity, and craftsmanship at the heart of fine craft and design. The fellowship is generously supported by Tiffany & Co. in honor of their lasting association with Mrs. Mellon and especially with the jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger. The fellowship honors the legacy of founder Rachel "Bunny" Mellon – an avid gardener, patron, and collector – whose discerning eye and deep appreciation for exquisite design are reflected in her collaborations with artists such as Jean Schlumberger, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Diego Giacometti. Ideal applicants will demonstrate a commitment to material exploration, sustainability, and/or reimagining traditional techniques in innovative ways. The selected Fellow will receive a $10,000 grant and a 2–5 week residency at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in northern Virginia. The residency is intended to support time for studio practice, research, and reflection in a setting rich in inspiring natural beauty and vibrant cultural history. The Fellow will reside alongside other interdisciplinary residents and fellows, with opportunities to share meals, explore Oak Spring's gardens and collections, and engage with staff and peers across disciplines. The fellowship welcomes applicants working in a range of materials-based practices, including fiber and textiles, wearable design, metalworking, jewelry, woodworking, furniture design, basketry, glass, ceramics, decorative arts, and paper and book arts.