Local artists Angie Tustison, Beau Saunders, Malia Matsumoto, and Samantha Biasca are the winners of the 2024 Victor Thomas Jacoby Award, presented by the Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation.
The Eureka-based artists were selected for their artistic vision and creativity and each recipient received $10,000 to support their work. With this year’s awards, the fund has surpassed $500,000 in support to local artists since the inaugural award in 1998. The four winning artists were recognized during the Victor Thomas Jacoby Award Reception on Dec. 11, held at the Morris Graves Museum of Art.
Every fall, local artists are encouraged to apply for the Victor Thomas Jacoby Award by submitting examples of their work and sharing their vision for innovation and how they are pushing their art to the next level. The award’s focus changes periodically, with the award being open Humobldt County-based artists most years, and once every five years the award being open only to Eureka-based artists, or to artists working in textiles. Information on eligibility and applying is posted in the Foundation’s Grants Portal at hafoundation.org/apply in early fall.
About Victor Thomas Jacoby
Victor Jacoby, an internationally recognized Eureka visual artist whose chosen medium was French tapestry, established the Victor Thomas Jacoby Fund with HAF+WRCF before his death in 1997 at age 52. The fund is dedicated to supporting Humboldt County visual artists and craftspeople and encourages exploring new ideas, materials, techniques, and mediums by making annual cash awards to local artists or craftspeople selected by a review panel of leading arts representatives. Victor’s vision inspired his friend Dr. Rosalind Novick to make an additional gift to the fund and expand his dream of supporting local artists by providing the financial support to take a class, buy tools and supplies, or do whatever it takes to expand their artistic horizons––without having to worry about paying the bills.
About the Winners
Angie Tustison – Art Quilts
Angie Tustison was born and raised in Humboldt county and started her first quilt project at 15, when a neighbor showed Tustison how to use a sewing machine. She created a few basic patchwork quilts in the following years, but had to set quilting aside while earning a B.S. in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University. She returned to quilting in 2011.
Tustison began showing quilts locally, and joined the Redwood Empire Quilter’s Guild. In 2014, she entered her first international quilt show. Since then, Tustison’s quilts have been displayed all around the United States and have been included in both regional and global travelling exhibitions. Tustison has won both national and international award for her work.
“With every new quilt I make, I learn something new. I am always striving to become a better quilter, and a better artist. I truly enjoy sharing my artwork with the world, and connecting with people through a shared love of art and craft,” says Tustison. You can see more of Tuistion’s work at instagram.com/angietustison.
Beau Saunders
Beau Saunders is a Northern California-based jade carver, whose work draws deeply from the natural forms and textures of local nephrite jade. With a background in film production and a lifelong journey across artistic mediums—including drawing, ceramics, and photography— Saunders’s path took a transformative turn upon discovering jade in the rivers of California. Sourcing their own stone, they engage in a meditative process that emphasizes connection to the land, allowing the stones to guide the carving process. Beau’s carvings celebrate the geological history of jade, balancing traditional influences with contemporary design. Each piece reflects an intimate dialogue between material and maker, honoring the spirit of the land from which the jade is sourced.
Saunders’s artistic journey with jade began in Aotearoa, New Zealand, where the vibrant green stone pounamu inspired a love for jade that continues to this day. After five years of experience carving jade, Saunders has already developed a unique voice in the craft, blending techniques learned from mentors and New Zealand master carvers. Their work explores the intersection of art, nature, and tradition, evolving alongside their practice as a photographer and Aikido practitioner. Through their art, Beau seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for California jade and its cultural and spiritual significance. You can learn more about Saunders’s work at beausaunders.com.
Malia Matsumoto – Sisters Doing it for Themselves; Making a Kinetic Sculpture
As a queer multimedia artist based in Humboldt, Malia Matsumoto’s work embodies the vibrant intersections of community, creativity, & sustainability. Through a diverse spectrum of mediums—from painting to sculpture— Matsumoto explores themes of connection and transformation, with an emphasis on creative reuse. Matsumoto’s practice is rooted in collaboration, and inviting community members to engage with the art enriches the work while also fostering a shared sense of joy and belonging.
Matsumoto’s commitment to sustainability includes sourcing and repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste. This focus on creative reuse not only informs Matsumoto’s sculptures but also challenges traditional notions of art-making, encouraging a dialogue about consumption and environmental responsibility.
“I find inspiration in the natural world, especially animals and the textures of the natural world. These elements are integral to my kinetic sculptures, which invite viewers to experience art in motion and engage with it on a sensory level,” says Matsumoto. You can follow Matsumoto’s kinetic sculpture team online @HamtasticGlory.
Samantha Biasca
K’_alaag’aa Jaat hín uu díi kya’áng. Díi Yáalaagang. Díi Kaigani Yahgw jáanaas jan-gáagang. Xúuj duu díi íijang, Hydaburg isgyan Q’ adnas Klinkwan uu hl íijang. Kaagwaantaan yádi áyá Xát, ch’áak’ kudi hít. Angoon Kwáandáx áyá xát. Deisheetan Deishu Hit dachxn yxat.
Native Diamonds founder Samantha Biasca carries the Haida Name of K’_alaag’aa Jaat – Strong Capable Woman. She is Alaskan Haida – Raven Moiety, of the Double Finned Killer Whale Clan, Brown Bear House in Hydaburg & Dogfish Shark House in Klinkwan from the Scott, Morrison, & Vandal families. She is Tlingit- Child of The Eagle Wolf Clan, of the Eagles Nest House in Sitka, grandchild of the Raven Beaver Clan End of the Trail House of Angoon, of the Jackson & Bell families. She is Iñupiaq, Inuit from Shishmaref from the Barr family. She also comes from the Williams, Preusser, and Biasca families from Northern California where she was raised on the Pacific Ocean.
K’_alaag’aa Jaat began making Native Art such as sea otter and seal skin sewing, red and yellow cedar weaving, ravenstail weaving, button blanket regalia making, cedar carving, deerskin drum making, working with traditional Alaska Native medicines, and singing and dancing with Alaska Native groups mentored by her aunt, Vicki Soboleff. Her obsession with abalone shell jewelry led her to begin creating whimsical sea-inspired jewelry. Her pieces were requested so frequently that she created space for Native Diamonds to blossom online at www.native.diamonds.