Hawaiian Artist-In-Residence Program @ Kalani Oceanside Retreat

Sun drenched beaches, big blue skies, rain forest, palm trees swaying in the breeze with the backdrop of an island sunrise; or sunset; or even midday. In a word, paradise! “Tropical Paradise” is a phrase long associated with the Hawaiian Islands. I don’t know about you, but where I live it’s cold, real cold. An island getaway sounds almost perfect just about now. It was 80 degrees on ‘The Big Island’ today -not too hot, just right!

The Good News: This little Oceanside retreat is on the less touristy, less crowded ‘Big Island’ of Hawaii promising the peace and serenity and the views that any artist would appreciate, along with most of the creature comforts that anyone that can afford it would appreciate.

The Bad News: Paradise doesn’t come cheap! It all comes at a (fairly steep) price. Even with the discount stipend this Artist-In-Residence Program isn’t for the starving artist by any means.

The Location

Kalani encompasses 120 acres on the southeast coast of Hawaii Island, also known as “the Big Island”.  The retreat is a 45-minute drive from the airport in Hilo, or a 2.5-hour drive from the airport in Kona. Hawaii is considerably less crowded and less commercial than the other Hawaiian Islands, and offers a variety of spectacular natural attractions. Kalani is located near Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The dramatic lava cliffs of the Kalani coastal area provide for close-up views of Turtles and Dolphins as well as seasonal whale watching. The cliff also provides a marvelous haven for sunbathing, meditation, yoga or Tai Chi.

Nearby attractions include:
• Natural black Sand Beach (clothing optional), frequented by dolphins
• Volcanoes National Park, where lava has been actively flowing since 1983
• Tidal pools for splashing and Snorkeling
• Natural Steam Baths
• Bays for Fishing and Kayaking
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Historic Villages and Farmers’ Markets
• Botanical Gardens, and Anthurium and Orchid Farms

You can visit attractions on your own or as part of a guided Kalani Adventure. Kalani enjoys Hawaii’s ideal climate: light ocean breezes, sunny days, pleasant year-round temperatures (65-85°F) and occasionally a tropical shower.

The Digs

“Kalani Oceanside Retreat offers artists the opportunity to experience the beauty of rural Hawaii combined with the stimulation of an international cultural center. Residency provides the artist with the incentive to complete works in progress or to strike out in new directions.”

“Kalani offers various types of simple but comfortable accommodations including tree houses, cottages, lodge rooms and campsites. Working spaces, other than your accommodations are usually limited, shared, and must be kept intact and presentable for others. The lodges have a multipurpose studio space with lawn and ocean vistas. Visual artists and dancers use the studio spaces as available. Writers generally work in their rooms, outdoors, or in the cafe. Every effort is made to protect the artist’s privacy and or solitude during working hours, and telephone messages are delivered only in an emergency or upon request.”

There Are Stipends

“Stipends provide for a reduction of lodging and meal costs, saving you as much as $1,600 per month. Although paradise prevails year-round, stipends are available mainly from May-July and September-December. Minimum stay is 2 weeks; maximum stay is 3 months. Artists in all categories are welcomed year-round, at regular accommodation rates.

Additional credits may be available to artists who make significant contributions to the Kalani community and/or facility. Any contribution must be approved in advance, and the agreed upon value will not be credited until the completion of the project.”

The Selection Process

More Good News: As you might imagine Kalani is a ‘Retreat’ with a goal to help visitors achieve the calm, peace and serenity they’ve come so far to find. In maintaining a positive environment conducive to that end, Kalani is a very non-judgmental community and as such it has very little criteria for entry into the Artist-In-Residence Program. The program is open to any kind of artist for any type of artistic endeavor. Writers, Poets, Painters, Sculptors, Potters, Musicians, Performance Artists and Photographers … all welcome at Kalani’s Artist-In-Residence Program.

Merely contact the Kalani reservation desk if you would like to apply; indicate what type of art you create, when you would like to stay at Kalani, and how you think you would benefit from this experience.

Aloha!

Kalani Oceanside Retreat
RR2, Box 4500
Pahoa, HI 96778
(800) 800 6886 toll-free, US & Canada
(808) 965 7828 worldwide
(808) 965 0468 main office

The What, When & Who Of Alaska’s Denali Artist-In-Residence Program

As a member of Alaska’s Denali Artist-In-Residence Program inspiration abounds. Certainly it would be a privilege to behold the diversity present in our nation’s 49th state; much of which still exists in a nearly pristine condition.

The Bad News -The selection process for this year was completed this past November; the participants have already been selected for 2009.

The Good News - It’s not too late to try for a spot in the program for 2010, ‘11 ‘12 and beyond..

Though the Denali Artist-in-Residence Program is no longer open to Photographers (because there are other such Programs more specifically addressing that medium) it is still open to any other visual medium of creative and cultural expression.

The Denali National Park and Preserve’s attitude is expressed in there own stated credo- “In keeping with National Park Service arts-related programs across the country; Denali National Park and Preserve embraces the strong connection between arts and culture and the land that the National Park Service is entrusted to protect and share with the public.”

“Artists have had a major impact on the creation and development of America’s national parks since the beginning of the national park movement. Dramatic nineteenth century paintings of the western landscape raised public consciousness about the natural wonders of the west and helped stimulate interest in their preservation. In fact, public response to Thomas Moran’s splendid landscape paintings done on the Hayden U.S. Geological Survey of the Yellowstone region in 1871 led directly to the creation of America’s first national park.”

Since 1984, numerous national parks have begun Artist-in-Residence programs. With the establishment of this program, Denali National Park joins the list of those parks which seek to recognize and support the role played by artists in preservation and interpretation of our country’s natural wonders.

The Digs
The Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park began in 2001 and has grown to allow for 3 - 4 professional artists each summer; each for 10-day stays affording the artists the opportunity to pursue their work amidst the natural splendors of Denali Park. The park currently provides the use of the historic East Fork Cabin (a.k.a. Murie Cabin) for ten-day periods from June through August. The cabin is located 43 miles into the park, in a dramatic setting on the East Fork of the Toklat. A rustic but well-equipped base from which to work and explore, the 14′ x 16′ cabin has an outhouse, propane heater, range, oven, refrigerator, bunk beds, and a full complement of cooking equipment. There is no electricity or running water, but water jugs may be replenished at Park Ranger stations and visitors’ facilities, and showers are available at the Toklat Ranger Station 12 miles from the cabin. Artists chosen must be comfortable with these spartan conditions in a wilderness setting. Other accommodations may be available in the future. There is No stipend provided.

The Selection Process
Acceptance to the Denali Artist-In-Residence Program is subject to a panel of artists and National Park Service personnel appointed by the Superintendent of Denali National Park which reviews applications from professional artists annually. Selection is made on the basis of required entry materials, vision, new and innovative ways of responding to the park, and recognized accomplishment as demonstrated in those materials.

For more information on the Denali Artist-In-Residence Program follow the links below.

Denali National Park and Preserve Arts Program

Denali Artist-In-Residence Program

History of the Denali Artist-in-Residence Program

Sample (2009) Denali Artist-in-Residence Application

As an artist, I’m always on the look for art fairs in my area or within a short driving distance. I figured, I can’t be the only one doing this. So I’ve decide to help out my fellow art fans. Please enjoy!

For August 10th, 2008:
• Art in the Village
State Street & Grand Ave in the Village — Carlsbad, CA

For August 12th, 2008:
• Art on the Commons
Lincoln Park Civic Commons — Kettering, OH

For August 13th, 2008:
• Artists in the Park
Downtown - Cate Park - Waterfront — Wolfeboro, NH

• New World Festival of the Arts
Downtown Manteo - Waterfront — Manteo, NC
August 13th and 14th

For August 15th, 2008:
• Oak Park Avenue-Lake Arts & Crafts Show
Scoville Park - Oak Park, IL
August 15th thru 17th

For August 16th, 2008:
• MD Four Seasons Fine Art & Craft Market - Fall Market
Carroll County Agricultural Center — Westminster, MD
August 16th thru 17th

• Highwood Fine Art Festival
Highwood Avenue & Sheridan Road — Highwood, IL
August 16th and 17th

• American Founders Bank Woodland Art Fair
Woodland Park — Lexington, KY
August 16th and 17th

• Golden Fine Arts Festival
Historic Downtown — Golden, CO
August 16th and 17th

• Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes
Los Gatos Civic Center Plaza — Los Gatos, CA
August 16th and 17th

• Columbus-Worthington Art Fair
Worthington — Columbus, OH
August 16th and 17th

• Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show
Chautauqua Grounds — Mount Gretna, PA
August 16th and 17th

• One of a Kind Wholesale Show NYC
7W New York City — New York City, NY
August 16th and 19th

• Lakefront Art Festival
Washington Park — Michigan City, IN
August 16th and 17th