Studios
About the Residency:
Several alumni residents have commented that the chance for informal networking with peers afforded by residency in the building was one of the best aspects of their experience. Also mentioned by residents consistently as a unique and valuable aspect of the program was temporary ownership of a platform for emerging artists to interact with the public. The program runs year round. The spaces have been described by one resident artist as "very condusive to my needs: large, open, and with a do it yourself feel."
Residents will be awarded a 1200-2000 sq ft studio for 6 months, with 24 hr access, access to visiting curators and other gallery directors, and inclusion in an end-of-program catalog highlighting their work over the length of the residency. Selection for the residency program is via open call, and then jurying by a panel of arts professionals from the community. Selection is based on status as an emerging artist, a demonstrated commitment to chosen field, especially in the face of financial or other personal disadvantage, excellence of artwork, an interest in engaging with the public via one’s art-making process, and by the probable effect of the program as allowing art-making that otherwise would not have been possible to occur.
2008 Studio Resident Irys Schenker was interviewed in her studio for TKartspace. Asked about the impact of the residency on her work, she responded:
"Absolutely! I have been pining for more space for a while. As soon as I moved in, my mind expanded along with the space...It has special meaning for me since I feel like I can finally breathe in this space. It is incredibly liberating."
Current Aferro Studio resident Barbara Wallace wrote in her application about the need for space, and the lengths artists go to make their work:
The kitchen table is a very important symbol and vehicle for stimulating creativity and achieving excellence in my life and psyche. I have been aware for some time that James Joyce had a special relationship with his kitchen. When it came to his great masterpiece Ulysses, Joyce “worked wherever he could find space - at a kitchen table, in the living room, or sometimes even propped up in bed."
The kitchen table of my family of origin served as an aid in propelling two of four children into the position of high school class Valedictorian. For creating my sculpture, in place of my kitchen table, I actually use the portable dishwasher, which has wheels, which are very helpful for a person working in 3-D. According to the historians, Dylan Thomas’ first desk was his kitchen table. In summary, the breakfast nook in my kitchen currently serves as my studio. I use my portable dishwasher instead of my real sculpture table. I work in intervals of 20 minutes or less with regular interruptions from my children, telephone and doorbell.
Nothing has prevented me from making art."
