Residency Expansion: Alumni Evaluate New Spaces

After three years of supporting artists under fiscal sponsorship, in 2024 we pursued our own 501(c)(3) designation. That same year, an opportunity arose to expand onto an adjacent property. Building on the residency’s success, we chose to increase both our housing capacity and visual arts facilities. Later in 2024, we received funding from 4Culture to replace a collapsing garage with a new 400-square-foot printmaking studio.

In 2025, we officially received our 501(c)(3) designation as Vashon Artist Residency Foundation. An additional grant from 4Culture enabled us to purchase a new printing press and essential equipment. Guided by staff's own studio experience and the expertise of professional printmakers, we will soon offer artists a thoughtfully designed and fully equipped printmaking space.

Our full campus expansion will be complete in July, and shortly after, we will welcome select alumni to our new facilities. These alumni will actively use the property and provide feedback and recommendations before the space opens to additional artists in 2027. We are intentionally inviting alumni back to Vashon Artist Residency to further develop their practices and to reconnect with the island environment and community.

In addition to offering the new printmaking studio to artists in residence and we may host some hands-on workshops for artists. These workshops will be led by resident artists with teaching experience who are interested in sharing their techniques and creative practices.

We are very excited about our campus expansion and we look forward to welcoming many new artists to Vashon Artist Residency!