Clay Studio of Missoula Artist-in-Residence Program:
APPLICATIONS FOR 2014/15 DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 (appy by Midnight MDT!)
NEW: Residency applications will be done online only through Submittable
click this link to start your application!:https://theclaystudioofmissoula.submittable.com/submit
Residency
Established in 2003, the
residency program at the Clay Studio of Missoula is designed to
encourage the creative, intellectual and personal growth of emerging and
established visual artists. A studio residency is an ideal opportunity
for a developing artist who is looking for a place to pursue focused
work while gaining important technical skills and teaching experience.
Residents should be enthusiastic and dedicated to their artwork, enjoy
working with other people in a community studio setting and have working
knowledge of the ceramic medium. Previous experience working in a
ceramics studio is strongly preferred.
Currently hosting 5 residents, the Clay Studio of Missoula
residencies range from a few months (short-term) to up to two years
(long-term). The Clay Studio’s director and a selection committee choose
new residents annually in the spring. The selections are based on the
quality of the work, its artistic merit, and the diversity of the
prospective group in terms of work, background, and stage of career
development. Long-term residents are initially granted a one-year
residency, and are given the opportunity to extend into a second year
with Board approval.
Residency expectations
The Clay Studio expects that each resident will contribute
approximately 5 hours a week in studio maintenance. The 5 self-directed
hours working for the Clay Studio per week may include such tasks as
loading and firing kilns, making clay and glazes, unloading material
deliveries, cleaning and organizing the studio, repairing equipment,
assisting with studio improvements, and performing other duties as
needed. Residents are also asked to assist with the production of
fundraising events and are often called upon to offer technical or
creative advice to Studio Artists, Interns, and students.
Wood Fire Residency
While any Clay Studio resident may fire the wood kiln, the Clay Studio
of Missoula maintains one residency opportunity dedicated to a
year-long wood fire residency. This opportunity may also be extended
into a second year with Board approval. Interested applicants should
have a strong, developed body of work; have previous experience firing
wood kilns; feel comfortable directing firings; possess a strong work
ethic, and have a desire to work within a community setting.
The Clay Studio of Missoula’s wood fire program is popular with both
students and members, and the wood fire resident plays an important role
in maintaining and developing this program. Expected tasks include
teaching classes on wood firing, managing the wood firing community,
acting as the contact to our wood suppliers, managing kiln maintenance,
implementing safety policies, and supervising community and class
firings. In exchange, firing fees for the wood kiln are generally waived
for the wood fire resident. Time spent managing the wood fire program
will account for some but not all of the wood fire resident’s hours
contributed to helping to run a successful community studio.
Studio
Residents are assigned a dedicated, semi-private studio space to work
in for the duration of their residency (approximately 125 sq. ft.), and
receive 24-hour access to the Clay Studio facilities. Residents are
responsible for their own studio tools, housing and transportation, and
kiln and material fees (at cost). Resident artists are encouraged to
teach classes as a way to share their knowledge and experiences, as well
as to interact with our local Missoula community.
Gallery
The Clay Studio has a dedicated sales gallery and an exhibition space.
Residents are encouraged to put work up for sale in our sales gallery,
and all long-term residents are invited to present a solo exit show in
the exhibition gallery near the end of their residency. The Clay Studio
has a developing permanent collection, and asks that all residents leave
a significant piece for the collection at the completion of their
residency.
Facilities
The Clay Studio is constantly trying to improve our kiln facilities. Currently we have:
• two computerized 1227 Skutt kilns that are rated to cone 8
• one 1027 Skutt kiln with an extra ring, rated to cone 10
• a few small test kilns
• soda kiln (approx 12 cubic feet)
• gas reduction kiln (approx. 10 cubic feet)
• large anagama wood kiln (approx. 720 cubic feet)
• raku kiln
In addition, the Clay Studio has a Soldner clay mixer, a small North
Star slab roller, a North Star extruder, a variety of classroom kick and
electric wheels, a stocked glaze lab, a small light box and fade for
photographing work, and other assorted studio supplies.
Wood kilns
The Clay Studio of Missoula has access to two wood kilns just outside
of Missoula, about a 15 minute drive away from the Clay Studio up Black
Mountain. The Anagama kiln is approximately 720 cubic feet, and usually
fires for 6-8 days.Wood firings cannot be scheduled during periods of
fire danger (usually mid-May through mid-October) and/or stage 3 air
quality alerts.
Clay Studio History
The Clay Studio of Missoula is a nonprofit community center for the
ceramic arts working to provide affordable studio work facilities,
information, resources, and development opportunities for working and
aspiring clay artists. The Clay Studio of Missoula’s goals are: to
provide a quality work environment for all levels of clay artists
through group sharing, to provide high level personal instruction for
those starting out or those with particular inquiry, and to offer work
space for the more mature artist who may not be able to afford the high
costs of a private studio.
Founded in 1998 , the Clay Studio offers a wide array of ceramics
classes and workshops to adults and children of all skill levels;
provides local ceramic artists with affordable access to studio space
and professional quality equipment; hosts emerging and established
national and international resident artists who share their ideas,
experiences, and techniques with our students; and maintains a gallery
space that presents monthly exhibitions of contemporary ceramics as well
as showcases ceramic artwork made by resident and community artists.
Clay Studio of Missoula-University of Montana Summer Residency
Now in its second year, the Clay
Studio of Missoula invites current students or recently graduates of the
University of Montana with experience and an avid interest in ceramics
to apply for the newly established Summer UM Student Residency.
From June through August, the UM Resident will work in the community
studio space, which consists of shared community studio area, and be
given five shelves to store work and supplies. For the general public,
this usually costs $115/mo plus an annual membership, but all these fees
are waived for the UM Resident.
Residency benefits include:
- 5 designated shelves in the Studio Artist communal work space
- 24/7 access to the facility
- A year-long membership to the clay Studio of Missoula
- Assist with summer workshops.
For an undergraduate student working towards a career in the ceramics
field, this is great opportunity to build experience! - UM residents will have the
same obligations as other residents (studio and gallery duties up to 5
hr/wk, plus create six cups and plates for our summer fundraiser
Handmade & Homegrown) - All residents are responsible for materials and firing fees
