Nicholas Donaldson
The Bridge and Falls Creative Residency has put out a call for applications from artists.
The residency program, hosted by the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, consists of six self-guided residences each a week long.
The residencies will run from July 10 through Aug. 31, with spots for literary, visual, photography/multimedia, and community arts.
There also will be an “emerging artist” residency to allow for an artist and mentor to work together.
Denise Lysak, cultural officer for the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, told the Times this is the second year they have done these residencies.
Last year, they ran as five week-long residencies in the small “On the Water” studio, and drew in artists from southern Ontario all the way to Vancouver.
For this summer residencies, two studios will be in use–each equipped with just a simple workplace and modest furnishings.
“On the Water” sits on a floating platform in Long Bay on Lake of the Woods, north of Sioux Narrows.
“On the Rock” is not yet completed, but will sit on a hill at the head of the Boreal Trail, just south of Nestor Falls.
Lysak said the latter studio was designed by Shawn Bailey and Shawn Sinclair of Boreal Studio in Kenora, who also will build it.
“They were so taken by the idea of the small studio residency last year that they wanted to be in on it,” she noted.
“It has been a huge undertaking and a gift to us.”
The selected artists will receive $750 to cover meals, travel, and other expenses, as well as a $250 stipend to help with campsite fees or other accommodations.
A prospector’s tent will be provided at either Sioux Narrows Provincial Park or Caliper Lake Provincial Park, or the artist may wish to arrange their own accommodations at a local motel, lodge, or cabin.
Lysak noted all of last year’s artists chose to camp to get the full experience.
“It added an energy and spirit that they would not have gotten in a hotel,” she reasoned.
The artist also will get use of one of the studios, along with a canoe, park trails, and public beach.
If the artist-in-residence is willing, they also may choose to set up a community engagement piece with the help of Lysak.
She recalled one particular engagement last year, when a literary artist sat around the campfire to talk about rocks–the subject of her writing.
“There were 12-15 people sitting around this campfire, and even a couple teenagers, which was impressive for a Friday night in the summer,” said Lysak.
“They all brought rocks to identify and we did a little writing exercise with the artist.”
She added another artist did a yarn instillation with some residents, which remained in the community.
“The impact has been real, that is the only way to describe it,” Lysak enthused.
She also understands the positive effect this can have on the artists visiting the area, as well.
“What stories will they go away with and tell their family and friends about the area?” Lysak mused.
She noted the township mayor and council have been behind the project ever since she first pitched it, and the community also has been very involved.
“Everyone has played a part,” she said. “The community support is real and tangible.”
Lysak also was pleased to announce the township has been approved to be a part of “Res Artis,” a worldwide network of artist-in-residency programs.
This will allow it to reach out to more and more artists for submissions and build up the program.
“In maybe three-five years, we could be doing cultural exchanges with artists in Europe,” Lysak said.
“The potential is endless.”
The deadline for artists to submit an application is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 28.
Applications can be found on the township’s website (www.snnf.ca), which then can be e-mailed with supporting materials to dlysak@snnf.ca
Lysak also noted people can check out the township’s Facebook page and Twitter feed for information about the visiting artists and their community involvement events.
