# 2024-25 Artist Pipeline Program The Artist Pipeline Program is a program to cultivate Allston-Brighton artists learning to build a sustainable arts future. Through workshops, resources, an artist presentation, and short-term projects, a small cohort of artists gain boots-on-the-ground skills, get individualized support for their self-identified goal or challenge, work towards an engagement opportunity at Harvard, and earn a certificate of completion. This free program is a self-directed artist development opportunity that includes access to Harvard Ed Portal and Harvard University resources and culminates in a capstone project or short-term paid gig. Below are the artists, guest presenters, and co-facilitators who were part of the 2024-25 cohort. ## 2024-25 Artist Cohort ### payal kumar (They/Them) payal kumar is a multidisciplinary cultural worker, sexual and reproductive health justice advocate, doula, and organizer whose work—illustrations, zines, spoken word pieces, and workshops—is rooted in the in-betweens. Visit their personal page [here](https://msha.ke/riotlrrrkhi). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#payal-kumar) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/riotlrrrkhi/) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![payal kumar headshot, wearing black with red surroundings](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Payal_Kumar_5%20%281%29_0.jpg?itok=TONVpNYu) ### Prema Bangera (She/Her) Prema Bangera, who is ethnically South Indian (from Tulu Nadu) of lower caste, born in Mumbai, and partially raised on the unceded land of the Wampanoag and Massachusett people (so-called Boston), is a multidisciplinary artist, a community organizer, a cultural worker, and an educator. [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#prema-bangera) [Follow on Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/premapaintspoetry) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![Prema headshot wearing red robe](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Prema_Bangera_5%20%281%29.jpg?itok=4vzIIauL) ### Dyllan Nguyen (He/Him) Dyllan Nguyen is a queer, Vietnamese-American, artist and educator based in Boston, Massachusetts whose work exists at the intersection of art, design, education, and advocacy. Visit their personal page [here](http://dyllannguyen.info/ ). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#dyllan-nguyen) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nonissuestudio/) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![Dyllan with crossed arms at table smiling](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Dyllan_Nguyen_3%20%281%29_0.jpg?itok=GExpHs7O) ### Brooke Scibelli (She/Her) Brooke Scibelli is an artist, designer, and educator who works to create more access to the arts and build community along the way. Her artistic practice has explored various media ranging from illustration to performance, to designing her own clothing. Visit their personal page [here](http://www.nonissue.info/). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#brooke-scibelli) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nonissuestudio/) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![Brooke headshot learning head into palm smiling](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Brooke%20Scibelli_2%20%281%29.jpg?itok=tq00l0L2) ### DeShaun Gordon-King (He/Him) Known for his soulful tone and mesmerizing phrasing, Trevor James Alto Flute Artist, DeShaun Gordon-King (aka Díjí Kay) invites audiences into carefully curated spaces of musical healing, restoration, and wholeness. Visit their personal page [here](http://dgktheflutist.com/). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#deshaun-gordon-king) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dgktheflutist) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![Deshain Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/DeShaun_4%20%281%29.jpg?itok=tg5C5dUR) ### Fiona Scarborough (They/Her) Fiona Scarborough is an independent shoemaker and designer with a dream to make size and gender inclusive footwear. They are interested reclaiming the craft of shoe-making from large industry, and becoming a local craftswoman proudly serving the queer community. [Learn More](https://www.instagram.com/fio_designs_footwear) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fio_designs_footwear) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![fiona headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Fiona_Scarborough_4%20%281%29.jpg?itok=84hSEjoa) ### Eden Attar (She/Her) Eden Attar is an artist, educator, and researcher who is focused on creating tiny utopian moments. Eden's past work includes the "St. Louis smolnet," a publicly accessible digital installation that challenges the centralization and commercialization of the web. She works as a welding instructor and mutual aid organizer at Artisans Asylum, a makerspace in Allston. Visit their personal page [here](http://edenattar.com/). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#eden-attar) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/epifemmeology/) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![Eden posing, chin resting on hand](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Eden_Attar_4.jpg?itok=oOgblqNv) ### Madison Simpson (She/Her) Madison Simpson manages and performs in folk duo Sweet Petunia and indie rock band Winkler, runs sound and books free community shows at historic folk venue Club Passim, and proudly identifies as a member of Boston’s thriving DIY scene. Visit their personal page [here](//www.sweetpetuniaband.com/). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#madison-simpson) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sweetpetuniaband/) *Photo Credit: Mel Taing* ![headshot of maddy simpson](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-09/Maddy_Simpson_4%20%281%29.jpg?itok=llYYELpv) ## Past Participants ![Artist Pipeline 2022-23 cohort](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hep/files/screen_shot_2022-06-30_at_3.19.14_pm.png?itok=Hw3-jPfj) Learn more about the previous Artist Pipeline Program cohort and their Springboard projects, plus view past guest presenters and co-facilitators! #### [View past participants](/artist-pipeline-program-2022 "2022-23 Artist Pipeline Program") ## Co-Facilitators In partnership with [Arts Connect International](https://www.artsconnectinternational.org/), a Boston-based organization that builds equity and inclusion in and through the arts. Their ultimate goal is creative justice. ### Zakiyyah Sutton Mentor She/Her/Hers Zakiyyah is an artist-activist who utilizes music and visual media to explore themes that centralize marginalized communities. She also serves as a racial equity consultant with Arts Connect International, supporting arts organizations in reassessing their practices through the lens of equity and creative justice. Visit their personal page [here](https://www.zakiyyahofficial.com/). [Learn More](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#zakiyyah-sutton) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/zakiyyah_official/) [Follow on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MissZakiyyah/) *Headshot by Sara Espinosa* ![Zakiyyah Sutton Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hep/files/zakiyyah_headshot.jpeg?itok=oM5Z2Zke) ### Mel Taing Mentor She/Her/Hers Mel Taing is a Boston-based Cambodian American photographer, community artist, and educator. Specializing in creative portraiture, exhibition documentation, and community engagement, Mel seeks to celebrate the vibrance, radiance, and joy of the intersecting communities in her life. Visit their personal page [here](https://www.meltaing.com/). [Learn more](/artist-pipeline-program-2022-artist-cohort#mel-taing) [Follow on Instagram]() *Headshot by Mel Taing* ![Mel Taing headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hep/files/new-mel_taing.jpeg?itok=RwnG-YmC)