Artist Residency! Tufting Gun!

Artist Residency! Tufting Gun!

We are accepting applications for our next artist in residence placement. Applications are due March 27, 2024, 11:59pm MST.

  • 3 month duration: April 18 - July 25

  • every Thursday from 2-7pm (or anytime within that window, ideally a minimum of 4 hours per week)

  • applicant must have a visual art practice (preferably NOT textile based) and either a website or instagram with examples of work

  • includes studio space in a shared rooftop studio (10350 122St, there is a half flight of stairs to get up to the space)

  • includes use of tools including cut and looped pile tufting guns, shears, electric scissors and shavers for carving, umbrella swift, cake winder

  • includes all material for one practice piece 20 x 20” and one final piece 30 x 50”: wool, monks cloth, frame, glue, felt backing

  • includes one on one lessons that offer basic knowledge on tools, materials, tufting, craving, trimming, finishing, trouble shooting

  • expectations: regular gun maintenance, studio maintenance; wiping down surfaces, vacuuming at the end of every session, putting tools away

  • expectations: written testimonial about experience

  • expectations: not mandatory but awesome if you share the experience on social media

All applicants will be notified on April 3rd, 2024. Due to time constraints, feedback on each application will not be given.

No previous tufting or textile experience is required. This residency is an opportunity for visual artists to explore their work using a new medium. Materials provided during residency are for in studio practice only.

HOW IT STARTED: There's so much talent here in Edmonton I've often wondered what people's work would look like in a textile format. The tufting gun is a good tool to introduce visual artists to textiles as it's similar to drawing/painting but with yarn. Exploring a new medium is exciting but tools, materials, studio space and knowledge all take time and money to acquire. The residency was born in the spirit of wanting to make these connections while addressing the obvious barriers. Our three month residency helps folks jump these hurdles by offering it all to them at zero cost.

It's been so inspiring having Michelle Campos, AJA Louden & Ella Thomson in the studio and we are excited to place more folks into 2023 & 2024!
We are pleased to acknowledge that this project is made possible with the support of the Edmonton Arts Council.