Project for Empty Space hosted their annual Badass Art Woman Awards on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, from 6-10 PM EST at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. This year, the honorees followed the theme of “Dynamic Duos,” whose partnerships have made immense impacts for artists across the world. The Dynamic Duo behind Project For Empty Space, Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol, honored award-winning multidisciplinary artist and Co-Founder of Pratt>FORWARD, Mickalene Thomas, and artist and Chair of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute and Co-Founder of Pratt>FORWARD, Jane South as well as Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories for Dior and Chanakya School of Craft, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Karishma Swali.

For these duos, collaboration has greatly impacted the trajectory of the work they have been able to accomplish. Together, Mickalene Thomas and Jane South founded Pratt>FORWARD, a free platform that inspires and mentors emerging artists by nurturing artistic exploration, bolstering career development skills, empowering cultural advocacy, and collaborating to develop new artist-led models for cultural engagement.

In the spirit of educational advancement, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Karishma Swali have created a long-standing relationship and mentorship hub between Dior and the Chanakya School of Craft. This partnership has seen over 1,000 women participate in dedicated programs that offer them the opportunity to engage as a community, develop skills, and ultimately preserve crafts at the core of India's cultural heritage. Fueled by the ongoing commitment to craft preservation through innovative women’s expression, these programs sparked meaningful projects across disciplines, including collaboration with artists such as Judy Chicago, Eva Jospin, Marta Roberti, and Mickalene Thomas, among others.

This year marks the first time that duos were highlighted, and also international “culture shifters” to acknowledge the interconnectedness of PES work in shaping the way futures unfold. The work of these pairs creates critical space for cultural movement, community, and sustainability. In the spirit of multiples and intentionality, PES also presented former BAWA honorees Michi Jigarjian and Sarah Arison as the official Co-Chairs for this year's celebration.