14 Artists-In-Residence Arrive at Morgan Conservatory

“RESIDENCY PROGRAMS allow you to be away from the world for short increments of time,” reflects Founder and Artistic Director, Tom Balbo. They provide the studio space, equipment and uninterrupted interval of time crucial in helping artists create new work while advancing their approaches and ways of thinking.

Beginning in February and extending through November, the Morgan will host 14 artists-in-residence who come from a diverse spectrum of arts backgrounds. Artists will pursue unique projects in papermaking, book arts, printmaking and mixed techniques. Our program has expanded internationally to include artists traveling from Spain and the Netherlands. Additionally, we will host five national artists while maintaining a strong regional presence with seven Ohio-based artists.

“It’s extremely ambitious to host this many residents,” says Balbo. “This is the highest strength of work we have ever seen. This year, we received over forty qualified applicants and new funding.”

For the first time since the program’s application-based inception three years ago, the program received grant funding from Ohio Arts Council and the Windgate Foundation. These funds will be used to provide stipends for the housing, materials and educational skill building necessary for completing their projects.

“I was attracted to projects that will engage a wide audience and entice people to visit the Morgan and meet the artists working in our studios,” says Gallery & Artistic Opportunities Coordinator, Anna Tararova. “I was also looking for proposals that would push the limits of our studios and the media of papermaking, printmaking and book arts.”

Balbo looks forward to the program’s ability to further broaden the Morgan’s knowledge of these art forms. “We’re hoping this program offers artists an opportunity to expand — especially in terms of experimental processes and scale. The equipment at the Morgan allows people to move in a lot of new ways,” he says.

In addition to completing individual projects, each resident will give an artist talk, donate a work to the Morgan’s archive and exhibit in a group show the following year. Five residents will also be sharing their skill sets by teaching workshops this summer. “We are working to connect programming so artists-in-residence have an opportunity to connect with the community,” says Balbo.

Our goal is for the residency program to cultivate longstanding and meaningful connections. “I enjoy being able to contribute to other artists’ practice and seeing a project come to life,” says Tararova. “Other than just providing equipment, working space, time and exhibition opportunity, I think it’s important to create connections between local and national artists and institutions.”

This year’s residents include Antonio Vélez Celemín, Anne Covell, Kerri Cushman, Carla Fontecchio, Jacob Koestler, Lennart Lahuis, MP Marion, Pam McKee, Julie McLaughlin, Lisa Miles, Lisa Schonberg, Ellen Sheffield, Jessica Spring and Shari Wilkins. To keep up with these artists and their projects, follow us on Facebook or Instagram @morganpaper. Dates for workshops and artist talks will be updated regularly on our website morganconservatory.org.

PAPER TRAILS, NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION | MARCH 30–APRIL 28

Reception 6–9pm Friday, March 30

Our 6th annual juried exhibition of works on paper

MARBLING EXHIBITION | MAY 4–MAY 26

Reception 6–9pm Friday, May 4

Curated by master marbler, Antonio Vélez Celemín

SUMMER WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS EXHIBITION | MAY 4–MAY 26

Reception 6–9pm Friday, March 30

WORKSHOPS:

3D ENCAUSTIC ON PAPER | MARCH 10–11, 10 AM–4 PM

BROADSIDES | MARCH 17–18, 10 AM–4 PM

PAPERMAKING AND PULP PAINTING | MARCH 17–18, 10 AM–4 PM