If the owners of Oasis Cabin Resort opened in rural Maupin, Oregon – population around 450 – they wanted to create a welcoming environment for artists as well as space for visitors.
Owners Michelle Taylor and Andy McFarlane offer artists free accommodation and a space to retreat, focus, observe and practice. In return, the resort asks participants to contribute a piece from their time to their permanent collection.
“We really launched it this year, and a lot of applicants applied,” Taylor said in an interview with The Daily Yonder. “First thing that came to mind: just the look of delight on the faces of some of our neighbors – like some of the people from City Hall we wanted to chat with and I just remember introducing some of our artists and talked about that, and everyone’s just so excited.”
Across the country, hotels, resorts, and even national parks offer artist residencies for inspiration. Along the way, these rural communities are feeling the impact – both cultural and economic – of new life coming to the community, energizing and offering a new perspective from people who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet local people.
Call it rural art tourism and it’s catching on across the country.
McFarlane said there is optimism in her small community because it brings people together who might not otherwise meet.
“You have a very small rural town of about 450 people,” McFarlane said. “And you have people flocking from places like Portland and Tacoma and places from far and wide to see artists and be a part of something.”
He added that everyone who comes through the community patronizes the local amenities like the restaurants and bars and other places. There is also an overnight tax that helps the community.
Artists-in-residence are now available at national parks in USA, from Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska or the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa. Depending on the location, the residencies are open to writers, photographers, composers and other artists.
In Colorado, the Carbondale Clay Center residency program has hosted over 40 artists since its inception in 2000.
“Residents have a major impact on the economic vitality of the creative sector in Carbondale and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley,” said Angela Bruno, Executive Director of the Carbondale Clay Center Residency Program. “Our residents bring the latest ceramic industry standards, skills and technology to our organization, which benefits the entire community. Our residents are paramount to the growth and development of our arts program. Additionally, we know that there is a real economy in art through collecting art, taking art classes, workshops and private lessons, art supplies and material sales etc. We live in a community that values the arts deeply and we understand that the Arts contribute to a healthy and happy society.”
In the small town of Paonia, Colorado, Elsewhere studioswhich began in 2010, will offer an Indigenous Poet Residency in June and a Parents’ Residency in July.
On average, 98% of Elsewhere’s budget is spent locally, said Mitchell Oliver, Executive Director.
“Our artists in residence have reported spending approximately $200 per week at local facilities during their residency,” Oliver said. “Elsewhere, four residents live at the same time—that accounts for about $3,500 in local spending each month. Elsewhere’s presence draws people to Paonia and its surroundings, and many local alumni have even moved to the area permanently, starting small businesses and contributing to our local culture.”
At Andaz Maui in Wailea, Hawaii, artist Welzie not only offers classes for guests at the hotel resort, but also exhibits his work in an on-site studio. His artwork can also be seen throughout the property.
Inspired by surfboards, Welzie creates four pieces seasonally as an artist-in-residence.
Welzie said there was something special about the tranquility in Hawaii; – like a flower in bloom.
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Arts-based residencies impact rural communities both culturally and economically
When the owner of the Oasis Cabin Resort in rural Maupin, Oregon – with a population of around 450 – they wanted to create a welcoming environment for artists with space for visitors.
Owners Michelle Taylor and Andy McFarlane offer artists free accommodation and a space to retreat, focus, observe and practice. In return, the resort asks participants to contribute a piece from their time to their permanent collection.
“We really launched it this year, and a lot of applicants applied,” Taylor said in an interview with The Daily Yonder. “First thing that came to mind: just the look of delight on the faces of some of our neighbors – like some of the people from City Hall we wanted to chat with and I just remember introducing some of our artists and talked about that and everyone’s just so excited.”
Across the country, hotels, resorts and even national parks offer artist residencies for inspiration. Along the way, these rural communities are feeling the impact – both cultural and economic – of the new life that is coming to the community, energizing and offering a new perspective from people who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet local people.
Call it rural art tourism and it’s spreading across the country.
McFarlane said there is optimism in her small community because it brings people together who might not otherwise meet.
“You have a very small rural town of about 450 people,” McFarlane said. “And you have people flocking from places like Portland and Tacoma and places from far and wide to see artists and be a part of something.”
He added that everyone who comes through the community supports the local facilities, like the restaurants and bars and other places. There is also an overnight tax that helps the community.
In the meantime, Artists-in-Residence are under national parks in USA, from Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska or the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa. Depending on the location, residencies are open to writers, photographers, composers and other artists.
In Colorado, the Carbondale Clay Center’s residency program has hosted over 40 artists since its inception in 2000.
“Residents have a major impact on the economic vitality of the creative sector in Carbondale and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley,” said Angela Bruno, Executive Director of the Carbondale Clay Center Residency Program. “Our residents bring the latest ceramic industry standards, skills and technology to our organization, which benefits the entire community. Our residents are paramount to the growth and development of our arts program. Additionally, we know that there is a real economy in art through collecting art, taking art classes, workshops and private lessons, art supplies and material sales etc. We live in a community that values the arts deeply and we understand that the Arts contribute to a healthy and happy society.”
In the small town of Paonia, Colorado, Elsewhere Studioswhich began in 2010, will offer a residency for Indigenous poets in June and a residency for parents in July.
On average, 98% of Elsewhere’s budget is spent locally, said Mitchell Oliver, Executive Director. ;
“Our artists-in-residence have reported spending approximately $200 a week at local facilities during their residency,” Oliver said. “Elsewhere, four residents live at once — that’s about $3,500 in local spending every month. The presence elsewhere draws people to Paonia and the surrounding area and many local alumni have even moved to the area permanently, starting small businesses and contributing to our local culture.”
At Andaz Maui in Wailea, Hawaii, artist Welzie not only offers classes for hotel resort guests, but also exhibits his work in an on-site studio. His artwork can also be seen throughout the property.
Inspired by surfboards, Welzie creates four pieces per season as an artist-in-residence.
Welzie said there was something special about the tranquility in Hawaii; – like a flower in bloom.
This article a> appeared first The Daily Yonder and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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