Tucson Standard

Bojan Louis, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, has been named a 2025 USA Fellow by United States Artists. This recognition highlights his contributions to literature and storytelling, particularly focusing on themes like addiction, fatherhood, and his Navajo heritage. "I write a lot about addiction, fatherhood and being Navajo – what that means and what it means to be a wanderer," Louis stated.

The USA Fellowship is awarded by the Chicago-based nonprofit organization United States Artists. It provides artists across various disciplines with an unrestricted $50,000 grant. Since its inception in 2006, the program has distributed over $41 million to more than 1,000 artists. Judilee Reed, president and CEO of United States Artists, remarked on the fellowship's impact: "Much like this cohort, our support through the USA Fellowship is enduring and manifold."

This year's fellows include both emerging and established artists from 21 states working in fields such as architecture, design, dance, film, media, music, theater, and writing. The selection process involves anonymous nominations reviewed by discipline-specific panelists.

Louis is known for his diverse body of work including the short story collection "Sinking Bell," poetry collection "Currents," and nonfiction chapbook "Troubleshooting Silence in Arizona." His writing has appeared in various anthologies such as "Shapes of Native Nonfiction" and "The Diné Reader."

In addition to his academic role at the University of Arizona, Louis mentors at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. He has previously received accolades like the MacDowell Fellowship and several American Book Awards.

Reflecting on his journey into writing during his undergraduate years at Northern Arizona University, Louis shared: "I had this fantasy of being a 'continental' writer... But I knew that wasn't realistic." He emphasizes embracing diverse genres in his teaching approach: "My students turn in sci-fi, horror, fantasy – and instead of rejecting those... It's opened up my own writing."

Louis plans to use the fellowship funds to focus on new projects during a sabbatical next year. These include a second poetry collection described as deeply personal and a novel exploring metal music's influence within Native communities.

Raquel Gutiérrez also received recognition as a 2025 USA Fellow. A graduate of the University of Arizona's MFA program in Creative Writing, Gutiérrez is noted for works like "Brown Neon." Reflecting on her experience at the university she said: "Creative nonfiction at the university is incredible... The program also brings outstanding contemporary writers to Tucson."