Bella Montie | 2026 Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipient
Earlier this month, The Sunset Project was honored to announce Bella Montie of Tawas, Michigan, as one of nine Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant Recipients for 2026!
Bella is an artist working primarily in ceramics and digital design, creating colorful, imaginative work filled with fantastical creatures, environments, and characters.
We recently sat down with Bella to discuss her unique story, why she applied for this year's grant cycle, and what she hopes to use the funding for.
Hey Bella, can you quickly introduce yourself to those who may not know you?
Hello, my name is Bella Montie, and I’m from a little town called Tawas, located in Michigan. And the main way I express my art is through ceramics and digital designs.
How would you describe your creative interest to someone unfamiliar with it?
With my art, everything is usually colorful and possesses some sort of fantastical elements. With my ceramics, I stretch the limits of what I can create, and let my visions run wild. When working with my hands, I believe I can form any magical creature or structure I’d like. With my digital designs, I construct worlds and stories with the help of my drawing tablet, where I bring original landscapes, fashion, animals, and characters to life.
What initially inspired your interest in this space?
As a child, I drew a lot while in school. The drawings were terrible, but it was only ever a hobby. But once I got older, I just continued drawing until I realized I was improving, and that I was becoming an artist. So, I would say the inspiration to pursue this passion was always just a part of me, but some of that credit goes towards my mom and my nana. At my elementary school, my nana was actually an art teacher for a while, so she helped get my creative juices flowing. And once I had gotten a bit older, I discovered my mother actually wanted to go to college for art as well. Even though I walked my own path on my artistic journey, my mom and nana were the ones who paved it for me.
What's one of your most memorable experiences or milestones from your creative journey?
At my old school, there was a fine arts festival held once a year, where all the art students would create and design their own booth to display their work for teachers, students and the public. And during this show, awards were given out to students in different categories. I had already won awards in the previous years, but I had never won best in show. So, for my senior year, I went all out by turning my whole booth into a jellyfish and presenting my artwork that had aquatic themes. People stopped in their tracks when they saw my display, and everybody loved it. And when the winners were finally revealed, I had won best in show and students choice, which meant all the students voted for me as well. Being in my last year of high school, this felt so special because it was like my final send off, where everyone saw how much work I put into my art.
How have challenges or setbacks helped shape your creative process?
Usually challenges or setbacks within my art come from my other responsibilities such as my job, school and my health. Sometimes when I’ve constantly been working while also trying to keep up with my schoolwork, it can lead me to feeling very anxious, and during those periods I can't focus on anything, especially my art. But because I’ve dealt with this problem for most of my life, I have slowly been learning how to live with this issue. Now when I make my art, I put time aside and take breaks when needed, so that I can just focus on my craft.
How do you envision your creative interest evolving over the next year?
Over the next year, I hope to take the mediums and creative skills I’ve been working with and find new techniques to better my art. I’ve had the basics for a while, but I feel that I have finally reached a point where I can begin experimenting and making improvements. And, if the opportunities presented themselves, I could practice with new resources and mediums offered to me by my teachers.
How do you plan to utilize your grant funding to further your creative interest, journey, and process?
With the money I have been awarded, I would like to put it towards art supplies that would help make my creating process easier and towards other parts of my artistic pursuits, like mentors I could meet or creative events I could go to.
Do you have any advice to share with someone looking to pursue their own creative interests?
Fear is the killer of dreams. Don’t let it control your actions, or stop you from pursuing your passion. Life is about doing what you love, and once you truly understand that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, your creativity will guide you towards success.
Are there any social media profiles, websites, or other resources where our readers can follow your journey and support your work?
I am just starting up my instagram page, called @bellas.enchanted, where I will be posting about my small business and my products. Down the road I will most likely link another profile for art I make in my spare time or for fun.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about The Sunset Project, or your experience in the Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant program thus far?
My mother has always been the person to cheer me on and encourage my pursuits, but if you don’t have a voice like that in your life, you need to find your own sense of support. The resources and opportunities you need are out there, you just need to work for them, and you need to believe that you can achieve them.The Sunset Project is one of those resources I have been lucky enough to come across, and with their aid I can take another step towards my artistic career. So, from the bottom of my heart, I offer my deepest gratitude towards my mother, and towards organizations like The Sunset Project, that give artists the support that nobody else may offer them.
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