The Residency
Vashon Artist Residency offers artists space and time to create, connect and live in a community of artists on spectacular Vashon Island in the Salish Sea in Washington State. The residency is located on the shore of Quartermaster Harbor and provides comfortable living accommodations and work space for artists working in the disciplines of visual, dance, theater, music, media, literary and interdisciplinary arts.
Visual artist and Founder Cathy Sarkowsky's deep desire to share this special place led her to establish this small artist residency, providing artists space to create and develop new work, the time to explore new practices and relationships, and the opportunity to rest and recharge their physical, spiritual, and creative energy.
The Residency provides housing and workspace, on a sliding scale, need-based fee structure. We currently offer 2 and 3.5 week long, self-directed residencies to emerging, mid-career, and established artists. We usually have four artists in each residency session. Any work an artist makes at Vashon Artist Residency will be theirs. We do not impose expectations on the artists.
We are committed to offering this opportunity to artists from different races, economic backgrounds, disciplines, home states and countries. We believe that welcoming artists from diverse backgrounds will stimulate growth and exploration for each individual and their cohort.
Seeing other artists sinking into their own work was inspiring for my own. There was a level of focus and relaxation that I haven’t experienced at any other residency. The need to make work was there for some, for others the experience of the place itself was the accomplishment that will feed future work. it was casual and grounding.
Cathy McClure, Visual Artist
Being at Vashon Artist Residency …surpassed my expectations, which were not very detailed. I’d never been to this part of the country, and while it looked beautiful and like a sweet deal, I really didn’t know what to expect. But this has been a transformative month for my work and for me personally. I thank the natural world, the special space, and the wonderful people for that. I also really appreciated that there were no strings attached and little scheduled programming (but enough options to opt-into so as not to feel totally adrift).
Lucy McKeon, Writer
I made artwork that feels like a trajectory. I shared community with an exceptional cohort. I spent time in nature photographing and filling my well with the natural beauty and fresh air.