SPRINGFIELD – The Newell Flather Award for Leadership in Public Art annually honors two Massachusetts-based artists, curators or arts administrators who have demonstrated leadership in the field of public art. This year’s winners were Ekua Holmes and Rosemary Tracy Woods. Woods is a Springfield-based gallery owner, consultant and curator of art.

Woods is the executive director of the Art for the Soul Gallery in Springfield. She has been managing galleries for over 15 years. Art for the Soul works to highlight artists from diverse cultures, backgrounds and to make art accessible to everyone.

In her role as executive director, Woods has been able to bring many renowned artists of color to the attention of Springfield’s art community.

Woods was also given the Unsung Heroine Award in 2010 and was appointed by former Gov. Deval Patrick as Advocate for the Arts of Western Massachusetts. Woods currently serves as a commissioner for the Springfield Cultural Council. Most recently, she was awarded a fellowship to study in Paris.

“I am not an artist. I advocate for art and I tell everyone that art saved my life,” said Woods.

When she found out that she won the award, Woods said she was shocked.

“It was a shock. I mean, just to get the award was shocking. And then the other thing that I want to make clear is that some people have said, ‘Well, I thought this was for public art. You’re not known for public art’ but little do they know I have done public art projects,” she said. “When I got this award, I really wanted to make it clear to everyone that a lot of the public art projects that are big or have made a change in Springfield were with collaborations.”

Woods said that throughout her career in Springfield, it has been her goal to highlight Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) artists, artists with disabilities and females. Woods has notably featured Larry Poncho Brown and Dr. Imo Nse Imeh exhibits at her gallery. In the last year, Woods featured the “She Shapes History” exhibit sponsored by the League of Women Voters, which honored the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

“With Kamala Harris running for vice president, we thought it was so important to have that exhibit,” she said.

Due to COVID-19, Woods said there was not an in-person ceremony for the Newell Flather Award. However, she said she has taken part in many phone and Zoom calls and hopes there will be a ceremony once it is safe. Each recipient of the award was given $5,000 of unrestricted funds in celebration of their leadership and impact in the art field.

“We celebrate Rosemary Tracy Woods’ tireless efforts over 25 years in bringing art to communities in Springfield, MA,” said New England Foundation For the Arts Program Director, Kim Szeto. “Rosemary is not only making public art happen but doing it in deep collaboration with community. She champions artists and uplifts the artwork of people of color, and continually shows up and advocates for institutional representation whenever possible.”

Those interested in learning more about Woods are encouraged to visit the Art for the Soul Gallery website at https://www.artforthesoulgallery.com/.