Guild Hall’s Artist-in-Residence program was created in 2016 to offer artists and collectives the time and space to research, experiment, and develop new ideas and projects. Artists are provided with creative mentorship and administrative support, a paid stipend, and, in a normal year, a live/workspace on the Guild Hall campus, and an exhibition or performance platform.
This year’s residency will be completed remotely from each artists home/studio due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The final showcases for the residents will all take place virtually.
“Guild Hall is incredibly excited to — finally — welcome our 2021 Artists-in-Residence,” said Anthony Madonna, the Patti Kenner Senior Associate for Learning and Public Engagement. “The artists were selected in the Winter of 2019, but due to the pandemic their residencies were postponed an entire year. Though we wish we could physically host each artist, a remote residency has allowed us to expand the program. New to 2021, each artist has been paired with a mentor from our Academy of the Arts, including composer, Carter Burwell, poet, Jill Bialosky, and playwright, Jon Robin Baitz. The residents and mentors will meet weekly via zoom to discuss processes, receive feedback and resources, and professional contacts for further development. Another new addition, the 2021 residents will each have a public final showcase on Guild Hall’s virtual platforms. In the past six years, these showcases have been shared to an intimate invite-only audience, and now, through the practiced hands of our John Drew Theater Virtual Stage, are open for anyone to attend and learn.”
The first presentation features Director Jackson Gay on Friday, February 26, at 8 PM. Gay will present a night of participatory theater, collective listening, and discussion as she reflects on her time at Guild Hall, and shares the beginnings of her new project, “Endless Loop* of Gratitude” and other works written during her time in residence.
The project is an interactive installation that invites participants to reflect on and share their own stories about the people, places, events, and objects that have changed their lives. “Endless Loop” not only asks what you are grateful for, but why.
The second presentation will take place on Thursday, March 11, at 7 PM, with Author Mark Sarvas, including a discussion on his 2019 American Book Award winning novel, “Memento Park.”
The evening, produced in partnership with BookHampton, will also feature discussions on and readings of new works and excerpts written during Sarvas’ time as a Guild House Artist-in-Residence. Copies of “Memento Park” are available for purchase at the BookHampton storefront or online.
The third and final artist-in-residence, Playwright Ryan Campbell will present on Saturday, April 10, at 7 PM. Campbell will share his reflections and readings of new works and excerpts written during his time at Guild Hall.
The evening will be presented as a premier event on Guild Hall’s YouTube channel. Campbell will be joining live to answer questions from viewers about the work and residency.
For more info, visit www.guildhall.org.