How to Flatten a Mountain 2020

How to Flatten a Mountain 2020 Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to showcase their work on the dedicated website howtoflattenamountain.com

Program Description:

How to Flatten a Mountain is a 12-day residency opportunity presented by PhotoIreland & Cow House Studios with the support of Inspirational Arts. This opportunity is open to emerging and mid-career visual artists whose artistic practice in whole or part makes use of digital and/or analog photographic processes.

The aim of this residency is for participating artists to explore possibilities outside their core practice, work collaboratively, and produce a cohesive exhibition of work. During the residency, participants will take an active part in a series of workshops led by guest facilitators and as a group will be sharing ideas, making work, processing, printing, editing, as needed, always working in collaboration. As an integral part of the residency, two practicing professionals will facilitate day-long workshops to provoke and animate different avenues for thought. Each facilitator brings to the residency new perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for participants.

This 12-day program is comprised of two parts: workshop facilitation and open studio time at Cow House Studios followed by production time in Dublin which includes the installation and opening of an exhibition at Library Project. The first seven days of the program will be comprised of a carefully selected series of workshops, readings, and presentations designed to stimulate the creative process, facilitate collaboration, familiarise participants with the people and places of the locality, and tease out shared curiosities and thematics.

The following five days provide the necessary time and space to critique new works and get prints and other materials exhibition ready. These final days are spent in Dublin producing and installing the exhibition, culminating in an opening on the final evening of the program. In total, participants will spend 7 days and 6 nights at Cow House and an additional 5 days and 5 nights in Dublin.

How to Flatten a Mountain is sure to result in the production of new work, introduce participants to a network of practitioners from a diversity of locations, provide a fantastic exhibition opportunity, and open up new possibilities within each participant’s practice.

Contact:

For any further questions about How to Flatten a Mountain, please contact Frank Abruzzese, Co-Director, Cow House Studios.

For more opportunities like this, see our regularly updated Artist Residency Opportunities Page.

Application Process:

The application deadline was Sunday, January 19th, 2020. Applications for additional 2021 programing will become available in the autumn, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the residency?
This opportunity is open to emerging and mid-career visual artists whose artistic practice in whole or part makes use of digital and/or analog photographic processes.

How long is the residency?
The residency is 12 days. In total, participants will spend 7 days and 6 nights at Cow House and an additional 5 days and 5 nights in Dublin.

Do you offer residencies at other times of the year?
Yes, we offer several residency opportunities each year. You can find a list of current opportunities here.

How many artists are awarded this residency?
There will be twelve participants for How to Flatten a Mountain.

How do I apply?
The application deadline was Sunday, January 19th, 2020. Applications for additional 2021 programing will become available in the autumn, 2020.

What facilities are provided in the studio?
The 343 m2 (3700 ft2) open plan studio contains a darkroom, computer lab, and lounge. The studios were designed for flexibility of use, the Cow House contains 4 individual spaces, and a shared open studio floor for larger group projects and alternative working methods.

The well-equipped black & white darkroom is capable of making prints up to 50 x 60 cm (20 x 24 in), and our computer lab consists of Apple Macintosh computers, a high-resolution film scanner, an Epson 4900 printer, Adobe Creative Suite and wireless broadband. We have two Nikon D3300 Digital SLR cameras with a variety of lenses, a selection of tripods, studio lights and seamless background papers. Artists may also use our various manual and electric hand tools including a table saw, miter saw, router, wood plane, circular saw, jigsaw a variety of sanders and power drills in addition to a selection of clamps fasteners and glues.

Supplies provided at the studio include a selection of papers including, newsprint, 100, 150 & 300-gram cartridge paper, 300-gram watercolor paper and a selection of colored A3 pastel papers. We also have 10 oz (339 gram) unprimed cotton canvas that measures 183cm wide. The studio is stocked with student grade watercolor & gouache by Reeves, a variety of water-based inks by Winsor Newton, Daler Rowney System 3 acrylic paint, student grade oil paint by Winsor Newton, solvent, gesso and a variety of mediums.

Students and artists alike may avail of disposable paint palettes, palette knives, brushes and oil dippers. Additionally, the studio is also regularly stocked to ensure we have plenty of darkroom chemicals, ink for the printers, graphite pencils, charcoal, color pencils, watercolor pencils, oil pastels, chalk pastels, markers, erasers, scissors, sharp Exacto knives, cutting mats, masking tape, drawing clips, fixative and PVA glue, A3 & A1 size drawing boards and easels.

How do I get to the Cow House?
A bus will collect participants from Dublin Airport and Library Project on the first day of the program.

Where is the closest town/village?
Cow House Studios is located in rural farmland. The closest village, Rathnure is three miles away. The nearest town, Enniscorthy is twelve miles away.

Do you provide transport?
Yes, there will be frequent trips to sites of interest. We also have four electric bicycles that can be used locally.

 

Should I bring any materials with me?
Cow House Studios have a variety of materials available for use, however, if there are particular materials you are accustomed to using its best to bring them with you.

Where can I buy art materials?
Basic art materials may be purchased in Enniscorthy, New Ross, and Wexford. If you need more than what is provided we recommend that you order additional or special materials online that can be delivered directly to the studio.
Building or hardware supplies can be ordered and delivered by a local builder’s supply.

Do I have to pay for the residency?
The cost of the residency is €750. This includes the following.

  • Three delicious and healthy meals daily while at Cow House Studios
  • Most comfy accommodation while at Cow House Studios*
  • Informative and challenging readings, workshops and presentations
  • Travel to and from Dublin to Cow House Studios
  • Ink and paper for the printers, film and b&w paper for the darkroom at Cow House Studios
  • Access to all Cow House Studios facilities, computers, darkroom, and studios
  • A set of exhibition prints produced by Inspirational Arts
  • An exhibition of the works at The Library Project

*Artists are responsible for their accommodation while in Dublin.

Where will I stay?
Artists live in the Barn during their stay at Cow House Studios. This building lies adjacent to the studio.
Cow House Studios is located on the O’Gorman family farm. Rosie’s parents, Michael and Mary, live next door and Michael still works the land. There is a family atmosphere at the Cow House, we have three very friendly dogs, as well as three cats, a horse, and a peacock, and we occasionally have family and friends visiting. Artists are responsible for their accommodation while in Dublin.

What about food?
Delicious home-cooked meals are provided three times daily while at Cow House Studios. We are happy to cater for any dietary requirements or preferences.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland for the residency?
EU residents and residents from specific countries such as the USA and Canada do not need a visa for travel to Ireland. Citizens of certain countries do require a visa to travel to Ireland. Visa requirements for Ireland can be found HERE. If you need a letter to assist in securing a visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Can I have visitors during my residency?
Unfortunatly, we cannot accommodate additional guests during How to Flatten a Mountain.

Do I need to bring bed linens or towels?
We provide bed linens, but please bring your own towels.

Don't see your question here?
Please fill out a contact form here to contact us directly. 

 

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