{"id":8695,"date":"2025-09-29T10:11:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T14:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/programs\/?post_type=cu_people&p=8695"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:19:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T14:19:31","slug":"tonya-lemos","status":"publish","type":"cu_people","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/programs\/people\/tonya-lemos\/","title":{"rendered":"Tonya Lemos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

I initially chose the Low Residency MFA at MASS MoCA for practical reasons; its accessibility and unique museum collaboration, but very quickly realized it was so much more. The program\u2019s commitment to diverse voices, especially women, non-binary, and queer speakers and faculty, makes me feel truly at home. I never expected to find such a fun and inspiring group of students and faculty, it has been an unexpected gift. If you\u2019re even considering this program, I\u2019d say absolutely do it. You won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Who are you\/What do you do?\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I am a multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of art, ecology, and herbalism. Using techniques such as eco-printing, alternative photography, and plant-based processes, I create pieces that embody impermanence, memory, and connection to the natural world. My practice often takes the form of social engagement\u2014through workshops, ceremony, bookmaking, gatherings, dinners, and writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your career aspirations\/what motivates you?\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My dream role would be working in a college book arts department or organizing adult education and community programming in a museum. I\u2019ve taught in non-academic settings for decades, and while that has been deeply rewarding, I felt ready to expand and to grow into a more academic space that could stretch me further. An MFA felt like the bridge I needed to honor my experience while opening new doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did you choose the Clark MFA in Visual Arts over other possible options?\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At first, I considered the Low Residency Program for mostly practical reasons: its location, accessibility, and the unique collaboration with MASS MoCA all made sense. But after speaking with Ben Sloat, I got a sense that it was right up my alley. Now, having attended two residencies, it\u2019s clear that this program is so much more than just \u201cthe right fit logistically.\u201d It truly feels like it was made for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I love most is the program\u2019s commitment to diverse voices and perspective.  That inclusivity is important to me and makes me feel at home here. Plus, I never expected to be part of such a fun and inspiring group of students and faculty\u2014it has been an unexpected gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would you tell a friend who is considering the program?\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If my friends were considering this MFA, I\u2019d tell them without hesitation: if you\u2019re even thinking about it, absolutely do it. You won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I initially chose the Low Residency MFA at MASS MoCA for practical reasons; its accessibility and unique museum collaboration, but very quickly realized it was so much more. The program\u2019s commitment to diverse voices, especially women, non-binary, and queer speakers and faculty, makes me feel truly at home. I never expected to find such a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"cu_people_sortname":"Lemos","cu_people_title":"Student","cu_people_email":"","cu_people_phone":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"peoplegroups":[403],"class_list":["post-8695","cu_people","type-cu_people","status-publish","hentry","peoplegroups-visual-arts"],"yoast_head":"\nTonya Lemos | Programs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/programs\/people\/tonya-lemos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tonya Lemos\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I initially chose the Low Residency MFA at MASS MoCA for practical reasons; its accessibility and unique museum collaboration, but very quickly realized it was so much more. 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