Artist Residencies at Centrum

'Errai' Premieres at Warsaw Autumn

2009-10-28T08:30:53-07:00

Seattle Composer Ewa Trebacz returned to Centrum's Residency Program in October 2008 to record in the Dan Harpole Cistern. Her most recent work 'Errai' premiered at the 52nd International Festival of Contemporary Music Warsaw Autumn in Warsaw, Poland. Ewa features Errai imagery and recordings on her website. Here are her thoughts about recording in the Cistern...

This unique space was used for my internationally recognized piece 'things lost things invisible', which among others received a prestigious recommendation of the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers (Paris, June 2009).

The Cistern was also used for my most recent work 'Errai' which premiered at the 52nd International Festival of Contemporary Music WARSAW AUTUMN 2009 on September 19, 2009. For 'Errai' I was able to bring Polish soprano Anna Niedzwiedz and Seattle horn player Josiah Boothby to the Cistern. Both works combine pre-recorded and live sound sources. The technique used to record sounds in the Cistern allows for reproducing the actual space in 3 dimensions bringing the 3-dimensional acoustic image of the Cistern to an international audience. This residency program has been an enormous help both artistically and professionally and has allowed this amazing Washington resource to be enjoyed around the world."

Little Pieces of Happiness

2009-10-28T07:25:28-07:00

From Centrum Artist in Residence Sue Danielson...

The sound of the rain beating on my studio roof is heady stuff. It's the time of year to settle in and get to work in a different way than summer allows. It's especially good to be back in the studio after time away. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a week-long at residency at Centrum at Fort Worden in Port Townsend during September. The ability to work for extended periods of time without interruption was incredibly energizing. It allowed me to continue my exploration into the disparity between reality and dreams of while surrounded by historic residences and The Castle on the grounds of Fort Worden.

"Little Pieces of Happiness" is one of a series of eight collages that I created during my Centrum residency earlier this month. My experience at Centrum, as you might have guessed by the title, was wonderful.

Check out Sue's new Blog: Dreaming Home for more about her work and her time at Centrum. Thanks Sue!

Centrum Artistic Residents at Work

2009-10-16T13:54:13-07:00

Occasionally I ask our Artists in Residence to send us a little update on what they are up to in the world, and what became of the projects that were the focus of their residencies. A recent query is filling my mailbox with news, which I'll be sharing via this blog. Here's a couple that just came in...

Sara Gettys at the Larson Gallery

Good news! Here are a couple of pix of the piece I started at Centrum. My piece was accepted into the 54th Central Washington Artists' Exhibition at the Larson Gallery. The show opens on November 7 2009.

This piece is inspired by wood block printing, specifically the block used to create the prints. Much like creating a wood block to be used in printing, I carved a piece of plywood in relief to reveal the forms of dried plants that are found along the highways of the Yakima valley. First, I photographed the plants, then printed them to the scale of the piece -- 4ft. by 1.5 ft.. After tracing them to a primed piece of birch plywood, I outlined them, then used spray paint to cover the surface. After that, it was a matter of following the outline and carving away the painted surface of the wood to reveal the plants. I hope to create a series of similar pieces, all celebrating local flora.

Judith Skillman's "Infanticide" in Pedestal Magazine

So far seven poems written at Centrum have been accepted for publication. “Infanticide,” appears in Issue 53 of Pedestal. Here's the introduction by guest editor Terri Brown, who compared me to Heather McHugh (wow!):
"Also fierce, rage-suffused, and undeniably brilliant is Judith Skillman, who offers us the horrors of her dark little vision, 'Infanticide.' Skillman's was the first truly brilliant poem I ran across on my poetic journey, and I was in awe of the sheer skill of her line breaks, movement, and control, as evidenced in this fantastic poem. Much like Heather McHugh, Skillman is a 'poet's poet,' and to read her work makes me rejoice, as poet, in the possibilities of the art itself." -
from The Pedestal Magazine, by Terri Brown-Davidson.

PS: you can see new work on my website including a link to Pedestal Magazine. I have also got the interview w/ Jeremy Voigt up on the site.

Here's a link to Judith's newest book of poetry Prisoner of the Swifts published by Ahadada Books.

Reflecting on a Centrum Residency

2009-10-14T15:50:40-07:00

Reflecting on my time at Centrum, I have discovered that it offered a pivotal moment in my art practice. I had the luxury of focused time in a setting that offered so much visually with few demands. A new direction and body of work resulted from my time at Centrum and to know that the possibility to return is there really is fantastic. I have been to other residencies yet Centrum stands out as unique and special not only because of the exquisite setting, but also in the structure and respect the program offers artists. The creative energy and renewal that I gained from my residency was one of the greatest gifts I have ever had.
I am anxious to return.

The images I have attached were created with paint made from soil in Fort Worden and also plant pigments from plants near the beach.

Pam Rogers
Bethesda MD

Pam is a Centrum Artist in Residence who was here in March 2009.

Artist to Artist

2009-10-12T18:41:42-07:00

Perhaps the greatest compliment one artist can pay another is a statement like this:
"Someone requested that I do a portrait of Andy, and I realized how much I really did need to. He is such a great piece of this community and has a face that tells stories with no words needed."

This portrait of Andy Mackie by Centrum Faculty/Artist in Residence Jesse Watson is Pencil and Acrylic on Kapa Bloc board. It is a tribute from one inspiring teacher to another.

Artistic Collaborations at Centrum

2009-09-25T06:43:16-07:00

Do you have a collaborative project... dance, theater, visual arts, music... that just needs time and space to become a reality? We've noticed a need for groups of artists to find a place to immerse themselves in their work. A place you can literally "live and breath" your artistic vision without the distractions of everyday life. We've got some opportunities for you to do just that.

Check out our Visual Art and Performance Art collaboration info. On a space available basis we can provide everything except the talent... that's your job! Because we are a small program with limited space, there are just a few of these specially packaged residency opportunities available. Get in touch soon to reserve your residency dates!

This opportunity is made possible through Centrum's partnership with Fort Worden State Park, and we appreciate their continued support of the Artists in Residence Program.

September Artist Residencies Available

2009-08-13T17:02:49-07:00

When you first move to Port Townsend you hear this a lot... "September is our best month!" Since I had thoroughly enjoyed March through August I wondered, what could that mean?

It means the perfect blend of summer and autumn. Days are still long enough to take in the twilight hours after work. Town is still alive with gallery openings, music at night, and special events on the weekends. The Farmer's Market is still going strong, and people are out and about enjoying themselves and their community.

It's also a great time for an Artist Residency here at Centrum! Depending on your timing, you might find inspiration at our world renowned Wooden Boat Festival. Or you may be here in time to catch the PT Film Festival or the Olympic Music Festival. All great ways to relax after a productive session on your own Artist Residency Project.

There are a few September 2009 openings as I write this, and I hope to fill them with writers, dancers, artists of all genres. Please drop me an email at lisa@centrum.org if you have a project that could benefit from the time, space, and inspiration that Centrum at Ft Worden has to offer. The FAQ sheet has our most recent information, including the application process and description of the program. There is also some availability in late October and the month of November.