Announcing the Irene Borins Ash Commemorative Textile Residency

studio h canada

3 years ago

A Unique Textile Artist Residency in Canada

Studio H Canada International Artist Residency and the Northern Women Arts Collaborative are excited to announce a new textile residency in honour of artist, activist, and social worker Irene Borins Ash (1952-2020). Irene was passionate about weaving and art in all its forms. She gifted the studio her Leclerc Tapestry Loom and to honour her memory and her art, we are now offering a partially funded, one-month intensive textile residency. The textile residency will be offered once per year starting in 2023.

This residency is open to proposals of experimental to traditional and hybrid approaches to weaving. Bring us your best proposal for this exciting opportunity. We will also be looking for proposals that concern topics that interested Irene such as resilience, compassion, concern for the environment, and living life to the fullest. For more information about Irene, please see the obituary here (please note some of the links are unavailable now).

Studio interior — main entrance and textile area (loom not pictured)

Studio interior — multimedia studio space

Studio Interior — Multimedia studio space and lounge

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Residency Description

Textile artists interested in tapestry weaving using the Leclerc Loom (Tissart model pre-1990), are invited to apply for this special residency to undertake new work and research in Metchosin, BC Canada – the unceded territories of the Sci’anew First Nation. The selected artist may choose a one-month period for the residency, but some months may be more relevant in the local community. The selected artist is welcome to propose a longer period for the residency which may not be fully funded.

Special Features of the Residency

Studio H Canada endeavours to provide a residency that will enable the artist, if desired, to get to know the local community of farmers and artists. The timing of this residency for example could take into consideration lambing season here in Metchosin, which starts in January when the artist can engage with the Parry Bay Farm to observe these activities and use their wool. We will support you to do your work, and if desired or possible given time – to promote you and your art practice to the broader community in Metchosin and Victoria, both online and in-person at the studio.

What’s Included

Full accommodations in the View Suite
Studio Access 24/7 with dedicated weaving studio workspace
Local community engagement – Parry Bay Farm, local textile artists etc.
Artist promotion and community engagement – talk, demo, studio visits (optional)
Promotion on website
Exhibition or open house in studio and online
$1,500 CAD stipend

Timing

2025 Calendar year

Application Fees

None

Additional support for the artist

Studio H Canada is located in a beautiful rural setting. We will provide additional supports for international or Canadian artists from outside the area:

Pick up and return to BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal or Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
Local transportation supports for excursions and shopping (some restrictions/limitations may apply)

Not included

Depending on the proposal, most materials such as wools, threads, embellishments etc. should be sourced/brought by the artist or acquired locally
Transportation to and from Victoria – air and ferry tickets are the responsibility of the artist
Passports or documentation
Travel and health insurance
Cost of food
Extra local transportation above what is provided by the studio
Car rentals

Application Process

A completed application and proposal form with a portfolio of work that demonstrates the quality of your work and your ability to undertake your project
A proposal that outlines your plan for the residency and the topic(s) you will focus on. Your proposal should include details about how you will share your work (videos, talks etc.)
A personal interview with the curators, Heidi Bergstrom and Michèle Hayeur Smith