By Samantha Aloi

Mary Healey Jamiel was named the 2017 Fellowship Recipient in film and video by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). Each year, RISCA awards $5,000 grants to Rhode Island artists in seven disciplines: crafts, film and video, fiction, poetry, play and screenwriting, photography, and three-dimensional art. The grants allow the local artists to pursue their creative work.

Jamiel’s submission for the award included excerpts from her feature-length documentary “SEARCHDOG” and a series of short films about RI artist Allison Newsome. RISCA reviewers lauded her filmmaking, storytelling, editing, and shooting.

“Every artist can tell you-you don’t do the work for recognition,” Jamiel said. “You do it because you love it. Anytime you get that rare moment of recognition for your work it is a really satisfying and humbling experience.”

Jamiel is an associate professor of Film/Media and Communication Studies in the Harrington School of Communication and Media. At URI, she combines her love for teaching and students with her passion for filmmaking. She continues to help students achieve their dreams, while she continues to works on hers.