I’m excited to share my recent experience at the At Risk Salamander art residency program, held from September 9-13. This residency offered a unique opportunity to explore environmental preservation, focusing on the endangered Jefferson Salamander and Unisexual Ambystoma in York Region. The immersive experience inspired me to reflect on how art residencies can be especially useful for mid-career artists like myself. Here are 10 reasons why:
1. Creative Renewal and Inspiration For mid-career artists, it’s easy to get stuck in routine. Residencies offer a break from everyday life, immersing you in new environments and giving you the freedom to experiment with fresh ideas. During the At Risk Salamander residency, the natural surroundings and conservation focus reignited my passion for blending art with environmental activism.
2. Time and Space to Focus One of the biggest challenges for mid-career artists is finding dedicated time and space to work on projects. Art residencies provide a structured, yet flexible, environment where you can focus solely on creating without distractions, which was instrumental in my exploration of new materials and techniques. The residency was hosted at Phyllis Rawlinson Park and George Foster House courtyard in Richmond Hill. I was enormously inspired by this historical house, barns, unique picturesque landscape and community gardens!
3. Access to Expert Guidance Residencies often provide mentorship from curators and other professionals. The guidance I received from curator Christos Damianos at the At Risk Salamander residency helped me refine my artistic vision and learn new techniques, such as clay work and printmaking, that I hadn’t previously explored.
4. Collaborative Learning Working alongside other talented artists offers the chance to exchange ideas, techniques, and perspectives. This collaborative atmosphere can spark creative breakthroughs and build long-lasting professional relationships. The camaraderie I experienced with fellow artists made the residency even more enriching.
5. Experimentation with New Mediums Many residencies encourage artists to step outside their comfort zones and work with unfamiliar mediums. At At Risk Salamander, I had the chance to explore markers, oil pastels, acrylics, and even scratching techniques. This broadened my skill set and opened up new possibilities for future work.
6. Deepening Artistic Purpose Mid-career artists often seek ways to align their work with deeper personal or social causes. Participating in the residency allowed me to connect my art to important ecological issues, strengthening my narrative as an artist who advocates for environmental preservation.
7.Building a Body of Work Residencies are an excellent opportunity to develop a cohesive body of work. The artwork I created during At Risk Salamander will form the basis of my upcoming exhibition in January 2025 at Boynton House, which has helped me shape a clear direction for my current projects.
8. Networking and Visibility Being part of an art residency increases your visibility within the art community. It also opens doors to networking opportunities with curators, galleries, and fellow artists, potentially leading to future exhibitions, collaborations, or commissions. I was exited to work together with such a talented artists Christos Damianos, Jing Fu, Emmette Lewis and Michaela Macleod.
9. Reflection and Growth Residencies provide the chance for introspection, allowing mid-career artists to reassess their artistic journey and goals. The immersive nature of the At Risk Salamander program gave me time to reflect on the impact of my work, both artistically and socially.
10. Showcasing Your Work Many residencies culminate in an exhibition or public presentation, offering a platform to showcase new work to a wider audience. The upcoming exhibition at Boynton House will not only display my latest creations but also highlight the broader message of species conservation, which is at the heart of my residency work.
Participating in the At Risk Salamander residency has been an invaluable experience, offering creative growth, professional development, and the opportunity to make meaningful connections. If you're a mid-career artist looking to take your practice to the next level, an art residency could be exactly what you need!
