When we launched the Community Creative Fellowship, powered by CJP and JArts (now The Vilna Shul) in 2020, the world was in the midst of isolation. It was the era of Zoom holidays and balcony concerts—a moment when even virtual gatherings offered a balm for loneliness. That uncertainty reminded us of a simple, powerful idea: that creativity can connect us when words and distance fail.

Now, five years later, the world continues to change in ways we could never have predicted. Yet the mission of the fellowship has remained steadfast—to uplift artists who use their work to explore Jewish identity, inspire us, and offer healing through creativity. We’ve watched this fellowship blossom into a nationally recognized model for how art can bridge divides and spark belonging.

This year’s cohort continues that vision with courage and imagination. These four extraordinary artists—working across visual art, music, fiber, and food—remind us that Jewish creativity is as diverse and dynamic as the people it represents, and we are stronger when we are woven together.

Mia Schon

Mia Schon is a visual artist and mosaicist with Boston and Tel Aviv roots. She transforms broken shards into luminous works of art that tell intergenerational stories. Through her practice, Mia crafts visual narratives that highlight resilience and continuity. Her fellowship project will explore how mosaic can serve as a metaphor for Jewish community: taking fragments of history and experience to build something whole, vibrant, and enduring.

Tutti Druyan

Tutti Druyan is an Israeli singer and composer who will soon be releasing “Kantika,” a Sephardic album that reimagines centuries-old melodies with fresh, contemporary arrangements. A beloved educator as well, Tutti is the creator of “Tiny Tutti,” a joyful musical learning platform for children. During her fellowship, she will expand the project with “Shalom Tiny Tutti,” a new initiative designed to bring Jewish music into family life, offering children a playful and meaningful entry into Jewish culture.

Josh Kurtz

Josh Kurtz is a fiber artist and storyteller who weaves history, memory, and ritual into every piece. Drawing on his Romanian Jewish heritage, Josh’s work reclaims ancestral traditions while developing new forms of Jewish connection. His fellowship will focus on creating ritual textiles that invite communities to gather, celebrate, and mourn together—threading old and new practices into a fabric of belonging.

Sara Gardner

Sara Gardner is a culinary artist and food historian who explores the flavors and stories of Sephardic and diverse Jewish kitchens. Her work blends scholarship and taste, uncovering culinary traditions that span continents and centuries. Join Sara on her path to building a Jewish Culinary School—a space where food becomes a bridge across generations and communities. Through workshops and shared meals, she will invite audiences to experience Jewish life through the senses.

The fellows start their work this month and will be holding community workshops across Greater Boston throughout the spring. We look forward to introducing you to their work!

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