PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

We are excited to announce the evolving relationship between our two technical residency programs that will be concurrently hosted at our partner campus Camp Colton, in fall 2022 and spring 2023. Thanks to all who applied to either our letterpress printing focused residency, or our hand papermaking focused residency. There is no fee to apply or participate, more details on the application process below.

For both residencies we are hoping to engage with artists working with the theme(s) of land, flora and fauna, place, craft, ancestral knowledge, time and related themes. Successful applicants will speak to how their art/craft practice relates to these ideas. Examples of experimentation with process and connection to materiality are also encouraged via applicant work samples.

By hosting these residencies concurrently, we envision opportunities for convergence and conversation between these allied art forms as well as between the residents. The rural, secluded setting of Camp Colton grounds the residencies in connection to nature and provides time for focused engagement with craft.  

These two technical residencies were established in order to engage artists with little or no experience in hand papermaking or letterpress printing, and to offer them an opportunity to learn one of these crafts and stretch the limitations of what the mediums can do. We recognize that access to equipment, learning, time, and space can be barriers for artists to engage with these mediums, and by offering these programs we will prioritize applicants who have encountered these barriers within their creative practice.

Applicants may apply to one or both programs, but will only be awarded 1 residency. If you do apply for both programs please indicate which program is your preferred choice.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are open May 10 - June 17, 2022 and are now closed. Thank you to all who applied to the program.

Congratulations to this round of awardees!

Papermaking Residency: Kristi Chan, Santa Cruz, CA , Conner Darling, nomadic, Satpreet Kahlon, Seattle, WA, and Vivian Sming, San Francisco Bay Area

Letterpress Residency: Sadé J Powell, Staten Island, New York, Anie Toole, Quebec City, Canada, Jenene Nagy, Riverside, CA, and V. Maldonado, Portland, OR.

You can read more about the eight selected residents HERE.

An independent committee of 4 artists + alumni who have participated in the technical residency programs in prior years review applications and make recommendations for residency finalists. All finalists will be interviewed via zoom by the Stelo co-leaders and Camp Colton partners. Awarded residencies will be announced in August 2022.

This year’s jury includes Jess Perlitz, Will Mairs, Alejandra Arias Sevilla, Yoonhee Choi. Thank you to our jurors!

Selection is based on: work samples, communication of themes relating to social, political, and/or environmental issues, connection to materiality, and the ability to work in a small creative community. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities for Stelo and Camp Colton. We encourage applicants from historically marginalized communities to apply as we seek to uplift a variety of perspectives and lived experiences.

WHAT TO EXPECT

These immersive residency programs provide instruction and guidance via technical assistance of up to 40 hours from either professional printmaker and Stelo co-leader Rory Sparks, or papermaker and Stelo co-leader Jenn Woodward. To learn more about Rory and Jenn please visit our about page here. 

Utilizing exclusive 24/7 access to either the print or paper studio, residents will create new work while being embedded in a private, rural location with access to native Pacific Northwest forests and waterways. 

Eight artists (4 print + 4 paper) will be awarded 2 week live/work residencies to take place at Camp Colton, Stelo’s sister campus in SE Oregon, about an hour South of Portland. Residents will stay in a private accommodation within close walking distance to the Stelo Press studio.

We are currently unable to offer ADA accessible accommodations for these programs.  The residency is partially accessible for limited mobility individuals, both within the studios and living accommodations. We can offer golf carts for transportation between buildings, and have 1 living space without steps.

Residencies will be scheduled the following dates:

September 27 - October 12, 2022 

October 24 - November 8, 2022

March 16 - 31, 2023

April 17 - May 1, 2023

During these two week residencies 1 print resident and 1 papermaking resident will stay on site at Camp Colton. Residents will be provided with a joint welcome orientation by Camp Colton and Stelo staff on the day of their arrival. Both residents will have the opportunity to engage in shared meals and to participate in a skill swap afternoon where you work together in both the print and paper studios. Residents will have the opportunity to engage with plants within our craft garden for use as papermaking fiber and ink and dye materials. Residents will connect with the public, including past residents and an open house public program toward the middle of the residency where the resident is expected to engage with visitors to the site and discuss their work and residency experiences. 

In November-December 2023 all 8 technical residents will participate in a group exhibition featuring letterpress printing + hand papermaking based work (which may utilize mixed media, performance, and/or temporal elements) at Stelo’s downtown Portland flex space.

WHAT STELO PROVIDES TO TECHNICAL RESIDENTS

> Private housing in a studio cabin or tiny house for a 2 week stay at Camp Colton. Housing includes a private kitchen and bathroom, along with bedding and towels.

> A residency honorarium of $2,350 (provided on the first day of the residency)

> An exhibition honorarium of $500 (provided on delivery of artwork for the exhibition in November 2023)

> 2 prepared meals shared with your fellow resident and Stelo and Camp Colton staff

> 40 hours of instruction and guidance in either the craft of letterpress printing or hand papermaking 

> Transportation to and from the residency site (as needed)

> Photo documentation during your residency + images of your work during the group exhibition

WHAT TECHNICAL RESIDENTS PROVIDE TO STELO:

> On acceptance of a residency award the resident agrees to complete and sign a memo of understanding that outlines the expectations of the program

> Residents agree to provide Stelo & Camp Colton staff with a bio and 1-2 images to share for publicity online and on social media

> Residents agree to complete 2 residency surveys at the end of their stay at Camp Colton, and the end of the exhibition at Stelo

ABOUT OUR CAMP COLTON PARTNERSHIP

Both Stelo and Camp Colton were founded by the Grisanti family. While separate, the two organizations share similar missions and values, and work closely with one another as partners on artist residencies and associated creative programming. Camp Colton currently functions primarily as an event and retreat center and operates with a separate staff and program plan that is independent from Stelo.

The campus sits on 85-acres of lush Pacific Northwest forest and holds the convergence of Canyon and Bee Creeks. Nestled within the tree canopy lies a hidden waterfall, trout pond and open meadows. Our partnership is evolving as the campus evolves, with buildings being renovated, new trails established, and new staff being added in both orgs.  

LEARN MORE

Have questions about our technical residencies? Learn more about the program via this slideshow presentation, or watch our YouTube recording of our June info session. You can also email us at info@steloarts.org.

We suggest you take a look at our 2021 print + paper exhibition online gallery and artist info here, to get a sense of what previous residents have created.