Residents are introduced to the K. Irving Botanical Garden research labs
Artist Barbra Bushey collects specimens from Brewers Pond
Artist Cynthia Farnell inspects a pineapple flower with a pocket microscope
Expedition leader Alyssa Ellis finding Ghost Plants
Residents collect ferns by moonlight for a ritual performance
Residents forage with herbalist Amber Westfal at the Wild Garden.
Residents view specimen at the National Museum of Nature's Herbarium
Residents learn to prepare materials at the bio dynamic Kin Vineyard
Residents visit the Just Food farm to learn about seed saving
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Plant School for Artists
10 days in 2023
Deadline to apply: March 26
Online
Germinate Plant School is a 10 day program for artists to learn about the Plant Kingdom. The virtual residency will involve daily live video lectures with international botanical researchers on a range of plant related topics & artist talks. You will be invited to participate in many short one on one meetings with artists working with plants around the world.
Built in to the 2 - 3 hours of daily lectures are discussions, suggested assignments and show and tell. The program is designed to give insight into plant knowledge from a wide range of perspectives and will offer a space to connect with like minded creative people.
Ayatana residencies are dedicated to facilitating research by conceptual artists. Visual artists, writers, poets, musicians and dancers are invited to apply. This residency will host seven selected international artists. No previous experience in biology is necessary but a portfolio showing your creative practice is required to apply.
Outline
Video talk topics will include:
You are invited to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group.
Botany 101: A crash course in plant physiology, ecology and automony with Biophilium director Alexis Williams.
Plant Intelligence & Botanical Sensory Experiences with the International Laboritory of Plant Neurobiology
Birds and the Bees: Pollination
Horticulture, Botanical Gardens and Arboretums
Botanizing, Wild Plant ID and Herbarium Collections
Single Celled Photosynthesizing Organisms
Contemporary Artists Working with Live Plants
Studio Propagation Workshop
Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Gorilla Planting for DIY wildlife conservation
Cost:
$600 USD
Residency places are limited to 7 artists. Official invitations will be given to accepted applicants to help find grants and funding.
How to apply: Only applications that follow these guidelines will be considered.
1. Artist CV
2. Artist statement (about 200 words)
4. Portfolio 5 – 10 examples of your work
We appreciate every submission and aim to respond as quickly as possible.
"Your residency has opened up so many doors for me in so many ways, including fostering meaningful connections with other artists around the world. Your residencies started me off on a great, ongoing adventure. My art has developed and grown tremendously since discovering Ayatana’s Biophilium."
Mary Abma, Symbiosis 2022, Biophilia & Germinate 2020 |
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I want to take all the Biophilium residencies.
It was honestly life-changing for me :)
Jenna Marks, Germinate 2021 |
This is the greatest residency! Apply!
- Allyssa Ellis, Germinate expedition leader |
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"I have new respect for the Plant beings I share my living environment with. Learning and sharing communication with them and the others of the residency group brought calmness and comfort to my heart. With the connections Ayatana provides for every one, I believe we have grown stronger with new research to lead us on an elevating journey."
-Blake Evans (Germinate 2018) |
"Each activity was thoughtfully chosen, and the experts were eager to share their knowledge, which created this wonderful climate of collaboration, exploration and inspiration. I didn't want to leave, but was eager to get back to my garden and home to create and also seek out experts in my area. Alex and her team run a well-organized and welcoming program, and I hope to be able to attend another program in the future. My advice for anyone interested is to DO IT and attend with a curious mind that is ready to experience and learn."
- Victoria Smith (Germinate 2018
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"Finding like-minded peers who were willing to learn, play and experiment made Ayatana an invaluable experience for me."
- Painter, Amanda Besl (Germinate 2018) |
"Ayatana is where Artists go to Play. Prepare to be inspired."
- Tracie Stewart ( Germinate 2017 ) |
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"Spending time with the Ayatana research group has enriched my life. Sharing focused time with artists who share the same passion for botany in all its forms created some amazing conversations, observations and imagination. This experience has energised me immensly and I have no doubt it will continue to influence my methodology in my work and my life."
- jeweler, Michelle Stewart (Germinate 2018)
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This is art/science sleep away camp, but with really good food, and you don’t get homesick because you are playing in the forest and that alone is pretty awesome. And there’s a bog. And science that will explode your brain. Apply.
- Amanda Besl (Germinate 2018) |
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"My experience as part of Germinate was the best. I left inspired and full of renewed passion for my art practice. Ayatana allows you to explore and play with like-minded people during a week full of thought provoking interactions with local experts. I'm so glad I went!"
-Printmaker, Claire LaFontaine (Germinate 2018
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