New Connections

Last month I returned from a residency at the Vermont Studio Center (VSC) in Johnson, Vermont. I had enjoyed my first experience there in November 2019 and looked forward to my return. There were 26 visual artists and writers. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 63 and there was no formation of subgroups, no divisions by age, background, type of work—no anxious high school cafeteria moments. Individual members facilitated and welcomed others into various activities including hikes, campfire nights, karaoke, game night, and studio visits.

One of my favorite perks, provided family-style meals, encouraged gathering that in turn facilitated animated conversation, sharing, and camaraderie. Often, conversations continued well past the meal hour, as residents delved more deeply into intention, meaning, and personal experience. I relished the human connection, vulnerability and shared resilience within our cohort.

An Explosion of Progress

Without any of life's daily tasks and interruptions, I was able to be in the studio seven days a week, staying well into the evenings before tiredly, contentedly, making my way back to my room. Being immersed in my work, surrounded by other creatives, with the luxury to talk about, think without interruption, and experiment with my art practice was glorious. The large studio allowed me to delve into placement, scale, and juxtapositions to bring forth conversations generated between the work. Being immersed in the work helped push boundaries, ignited possibilities for future materials and processes and sparked serious thinking about the logistics of considering performance in conjunction with work.

I completed a number of large burnt drawings on six by four foot handmade lotka paper, made great progress on my COVID Count/Cost Project and created additional Marking Time pieces. I began researching how to publish a book of the Marking Time pieces and added to my Emergence installation which I hope to propose in a larger form for future exhibitions. I began to dig into a series, long in my mind, involving women's roles, emotions of ambivalence and expectation, using found birds’ nests and other materials as metaphor.

A Lasting Impact

To escape real life for several weeks, in a beautiful Autumn setting in New England, to focus on art and an exchange of ideas, was a privilege and a much needed emotional and spiritual balm. Amidst the pain, suffering, injustice, anger, and separation dominating the world today, it proved an oasis of warmth, possibility, and hope. I feel rejuvenated and reconnected. Grateful to have met these residents, forged authentic connection, and experienced the power of all that art can do to bring people together, to foster understanding, help others to feel seen and less alone. I mean to hold onto all of this for as long as I am able, now that I am once again back in the real world.

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