An Sùileachan Residency 2017

  • Published on: 31st July 2017
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An Sùileachan Residency 2017

Saturday 2nd  – Saturday 16th September 2017.

Application Deadline 5pm on Thursday 24th August.

The residency has been set up to provide time and space to research, explore and create in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty that has a strong linguistic and cultural heritage. Based on the Bhaltos peninsula, on the Isle of Lewis it is hosted by the Bhaltos Community Trust.  It offers private accommodation, studio space and a boat trip as well as the opportunity to engage with the language, culture and heritage of the area.  The residency also offers the opportunity to discover the rich flora and fauna of the area including the pristine marine environment.

The residency is in partnership with the Bhaltos Community Trust and An Lanntair and is part of the An Sùileachan Project. It is hoped that the residency will be on an ongoing yearly basis. The An Sùileachan Project was established to;

Remember the 19th century Lewis Land Clearances

Commemorate the 20th century land raids by the Reef Raiders

Celebrate the Scottish Land Reforms and the creation of the Bhaltos Community Trust.

The Scottish artists Marian Leven and Will Maclean were commissioned to design a suitable monument based on their understanding of the local culture and history of the land raids in the Western Isles.  The resulting memorial cairn was the recipient of the Saltire Public Art Award. The idea behind the residency and funds towards it were given by the artists.

http://www.bhaltostrust.co.uk/suileachan-project.html

The residency offers:

Exclusive use of accommodation on the Bhaltos peninsula (20 minute walk from studio space)

Studio Space  based in the Old Fire station the studio has a large light space, sinks and toilet facilities.

A boat trip around the peninsula and offshore islands with ‘Seatrek’ (date to be confirmed based on weather conditions).  http://www.seatrek.co.uk/

The residency also offers the opportunity to exhibit with An Lanntair at a date to be  negotiated between An Lanntair and the artist

*The residency does not cover living expenses or cost of travel to and from the island.

The residency is open to emerging, mid-career and established artists, photographers, filmmaker’s, writers, musicians and craft makers.  The requirements for the application are:

  1. Up to 500 word statement outlining the line of interest they wish to explore and suggestions for involving the community.
  1. 6 images or sound or video files of previous work JPEG or PDF Images, preferably no more than 1080 pixels along the longest side. (In addition this can include catalogues, CDs, or a link to Vimeo/ YouTube) Video formats accepted include: .avi/.wmv/ .mov/ .mpeg/ .mpeg2/ .mpeg4).  Images must be captioned: Number, Medium, Title, and Year.
  1. An artist statement (Up to 250 words) and CV
  1. The successful applicant will be asked to give a performance/ artist talk or to leave a piece of artwork from the residency for the local community. To be arranged between the residency organisers and the successful applicant.

Writers should send links to reviews of previous work and a sample of recent work

Application Deadline August 24th 5pm.  A panel from An Lanntair and the Bhaltos Community Trust as well as Will Maclean and Marian Leven will select the successful applicant.  A decision will be made on the successful candidate by Monday 28th August.

Please send applications to Jon Macleod, An Lanntair, Kenneth Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2DS or jon@lanntair.com