Artsmith’s 2017 Artist Residency on Orcas Island provides annual Artist Residency Fellowships, granting artists, scholars, and writers dedicated time and space in the picturesque San Juan Islands to craft new works. Each year, up to five fellows are accommodated in individual rooms with private baths at the historic Kangaroo House Bed & Breakfast, in collaboration with Artsmith. The residency week, from January 2-9, 2017, offers interdisciplinary artists the opportunity to stay within walking distance of various inspiring locales, including the beach, library, coffee shops, restaurants, galleries, and Darvill’s Bookstore. Additionally, Moran State Park and Turtleback Preserve are just a few miles away, contributing further to the residents’ well of creative inspiration.
The residency includes provided meals such as welcome hors d’oeuvres on the night of arrival and four dinners throughout the week. Residents are responsible for all other meals, and while access to the B&B’s kitchen is restricted due to health department regulations, basic amenities like a small refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and electric kettle are provided. Visual artists are advised that Artsmith lacks dedicated studio spaces, making the residency more suitable for those not reliant on a studio. For inquiries or clarification, potential applicants are encouraged to contact [email protected].
The selection process involves the Artsmith Peer Review Panel, consisting of artists, writers, and scholars. Applications are assessed based on how the proposed work benefits from the residency setting and whether the statement of intent and work sample exhibit originality or evidence of refining craft. The Panel, reflective of the residency’s interdisciplinary nature, changes annually, and selected artists are notified approximately two months after the application period closes.
To apply for the 2018 residency, prospective candidates are required to submit a residency statement of intent, a brief bio, contact information for two references, confirmation of a commitment to the entire week in residency, details on how they heard about the Artsmith residency, up to five digital work samples for artists, or up to 10 pages of a writing sample for writers, and a $35 application fee. Applications for the 2018 residency are set to open in Spring 2017.
For more information or questions, individuals can contact director Jill McCabe Johnson at [email protected] and may also join the mailing list for updates on Artsmith residencies and other events.
Artsmith also offers a Culture, Environment, & Travel Writer Residency in Laredo, Texas. Selected writers spend three immersive days exploring the Spanish colonial history and culture of Laredo. The residency includes lodging, meals, and planned activities, with fellows responsible for their travel costs. The itinerary includes cultural events, artisan bazaars, birding along the Rio Grande, and more. The residency aims to provide an intense cultural immersion for writers. Stay tuned for updates on future residencies in Laredo, Texas.