Artist Residency Reviews

The farm is an incredible, unique, and enchanting place! The entire community and the land of Guaxo are kind and filled with amazing artists. It’s a place for deep and essential exchanges. A Fazenda é um lugar incrivel, unico e encantador! Toda a Comunidade e a Terra de Guaxo são amaveis e artistas incriveis. Um ligar de trocas profundas e necessárias.

wonderful hosts interesting group of residents, the popup exhibition in the garden was a highlight where I met local creatives, great location for example drawing on the roof be prepared to take initiative in an unstructured environment.

The building itself is pretty, with a little garden to enjoy when the whether is nice, though some of the studio spaces can be challenging to keep warm in the winter. One aspect I highly recommend is how they facilitate connections with local organizations and other artists, helping you network within the community. The organizers very warm and welcoming are, regularly checking in to see how everything is going. However, when it comes to costs, the residency requires participants to secure their own funding.

It was an excellent process to explore other places and be able to exhibit and discuss my work with people I don't know and who want to show me what I don't see about my work. I enjoy the friendships I made. I loved La Plata. The art there is really special and realistic. I had to do it more alone but I felt good about my processes, I was able to get to know the city better, reconnect with old friends and realize that art is very collective.

It was very nice environment, and people were so friendly to talk & work with. I'm so happy to be there!! The kitchen could more organized :)

Pros: Juan Pablo and Rodrigo have access to the local art community and will always provide you with different activities like artist’s, community dance lessons, classes, openings, exhibitions, artist talks…etc. They have a large bedroom with two desk, a twin bed, and large studio with frames. The founders of the residency will work with you one-on-one and help you get whatever you need for your project, including connections with local artists or professors that can help you better your craft. La Plata, Argentina is a small and very walkable due to a gridded street system so it’s easy to get around. Cons: I went in the winter and it was very cold. Argentina does not have centralized heating. When I told the Juan Pablo and Rodrigo they gave me some extra blankets which helped. The room and bathroom will have a space heater, but the studio does not. Cost: I paid 900$ and I was able to be a part of college classes La Facultad de Bellas Artes for free. I took community tango lessons for free, and Juan Pablo and Rodrigo showed me around the city. I was able to be a part of 3 free college level classes a week. My residency housemate was a photographer and he would be driven to photography sites and helped also be connected to people in the community to reach his specific needs. When I left I had a showing of my work and a studio visit in the residency’s gallery space. Overall totally worth the investment. Tips: If you ask you shall receive! I waited about a week to get settled in the residency until I asked Juan Pablo and Rodrigo about classes and I immediately became a part of them. Have a plan if things you want to do and ask for connections! If you come one the winter bring long underwear. Id have some Spanish knowledge to be able to better take advantage of opportunities in the community.

The facilities were beautiful and the hotel was comfortable. The funding was supportive. I would have loved a private space for making work, but would still recommend this residency to friends! I had access to free clay/glaze too, which was a huge benefit.

This is an incredibly unique and generous residency programme. The studios provided are spacious and each very distinct. Great care is taken by the residency in selecting the artists and the allocated spaces. I found that the residency allowed for a lot of focused time, although the 4 weeks were not long enough to develop a significant amount of work given the amount of cultural and natural sites to explore in the area. It is an ideal residency for exploration, unique experience of staying in the chateau and meeting the great variety of artists that you are resident with.

It’s not a paid residency and materials /food not supplied. If you don’t like animals or nature this is not for you. I got a couple of tics whilst on bush walks and saw quite a few snakes, but it was honestly one of the most formative times for my practice. Humans are outnumbered by kangaroos 10 to 1. The studios are generous and light filled, I didn’t want to sleep, I made a huge amount of work. The museum collection and the old homestead are amazing. I swam in the river every day. The natural beauty of the place is breath taking.

Benefits: The Art Omi residency offered significant benefits for the artist, such as: Networking with Global Artists: Meeting fellow artists, curators, and art professionals from various countries created an inspiring environment. The cultural exchange sparked creativity and offered a wealth of fresh ideas. Critical Feedback: The studio visits by critics provided valuable insights, helping the artists grow by offering diverse perspectives on their work. Exposure: The Open Studio Day allowed artists to showcase their work to a wider audience, including curators and enthusiasts. This exposure can lead to future collaborations and opportunities. Creative Focus: The rural setting allowed for concentrated time on artistic work, free from distractions. Challenges: The intensity of the studio visits week: The residency, especially the studio visits week, was a bit intense. Managing this workload could be a challenge, but it’s also worth the effort. Practical Advice: Embrace the Exchange: Engaging with fellow residents and visitors offers new perspectives on your work. Make time for both creative practice and cultural exchange. Be Open to Feedback: Take advantage of the studio visits to gather diverse opinions and insights from critics and curators. It can enhance your artistic practice. Costs vs. Gains: While the residency may involve significant time and energy, the networking opportunities, exposure, and critical feedback are likely to outweigh the costs, offering long-term professional benefits.

I attended the residency as a screenwriter, so my needs on location differed from those of visual artists. I requested a studio with a view of the Mediterranean and was fortunate to receive one. It significantly impacted my experience, as I find the ocean so healing and inspiring. I kept the windows open on warm days, welcoming the fresh ocean air. The beach is within walking distance, so be sure to bring swimwear. I spent much of my time working in the studio, but in hindsight, I wish I had taken more time to relax and enjoy the castle's surroundings. The residency encourages this balance. Additionally, I wish I had extended my stay in Europe before or after the residency. I met wonderful people, including the artists, staff, and locals, and found the experience deeply healing and inspiring. After the residency, I had a boost of creativity. It remains one of my top experiences, and I would return in a heartbeat if I could.

Meeting incredible artistic minds.

Having unlimited access to MASS MoCA was amazing/inspiring/unique/galvanizing.

I’d ask for them to at least provide transportation from the airport or other points of arrival.

Perfect residency.

I think the greatest benefits were the people you meet at the residency and the freedom to create any art that you want. I had some of the most meaningful and insightful conversations are art and life at the residency with the host and fellow artists. I created, I think l, some of my best art at the residency and I think that’s due to the combination of the artists and the location.

Benefits: time and space in an inspirational environment to work on your art. Challenges: very remote (I didn't have a car), bikes are provided for doing groceries but it's very hilly so maybe not for everyone.

Vashon Artist Residency was very attentive to detail in making sure I had exactly what I needed to work, down to making sure I had the right lightbulbs and window in my studio. The residency allows you to completely focus on your work. The accommodations were generously sized and provided easy access to the outdoors, the sea, and the studio. This residency is completely self directed, arrange to bring or ship all of your art making materials as not much is available on the island and come ready to make.

The location and accommodations are beautiful. The studios are basic, but well done for a basic studio with good lighting, AC/heating. The residents are well chosen for ability to live and work well with others. This is not a residency with networking opportunities beyond the cohort of other residents as it's somewhat remote. I'd return to an alumni session if I'm ever able to.

Vashon Artist Residency is in a beautiful location, the studios are well lit and well equipped, and they will give you a ride around the island if you need one. They host an informal critique and dinner one evening and connected us to experts in the community - like a geologist who took our cohort on an educational walk around Puget Sound. As a newer residency they welcome feedback and I've been incredibly impressed by their responsiveness and their commitment to provide more resources, flexible timing, and funding to all artists. Highly recommend.