Chicken Coop Artist-in-Residency Reflections

“The most valuable part for me was being able to step away from the bustle of city life and pressures of bureaucracy to turn my focus inward, motivating and sustaining my creative life force that is so often drained by the challenges and whirlwind of life. The low-pressure environment really helped me to feel comfortable to open up to my surroundings in a way that I had not been able to be so vulnerable in the city, and was able to let down my guard to connect more with my creative spirit and focus on my trajectory.”

“I was even more pleased with my host and co-residents than I could have imagined. I had a lot of fun on outings, I had expected that I would not be leaving the farm much and appreciated that I got to explore parts of the countryside that I had never seen before and learn more about the land and experiences that brought you here. The food and hospitality was more than I could have anticipated. Everything else was about what I had expected.”

“Having unstructured time and access to new sights and experiences was exactly what I expected, and this allowed me to search for new insights and inspirations.”

“The people I connected with were my favorite part! I had such a wonderful time with everyone. It just seemed really supportive and we all clicked really well. It was a really positive experience to be around the individuals there. I really felt like I needed something like that.”

“The amount of interaction was perfect. At any moment in time, if I needed to be alone, then I had the space and opportunity to do so. Dinner was my favorite part of the residency. It was the perfect moment to take in pride and joy of what I accomplished throughout the day.”

“It was a warm and welcoming environment where I could spread my wings and also just take a deep breath of country air. This was a once in a lifetime experience and felt very special. I appreciated that it was low pressure, especially since it was my first artist-in-residency ever.”

"I could more easily connect with the rural environment of the Chicken Coop AIR than city life, and channel my appreciation for natural beauty through the creative process."

"My warm reception at Villekulla Farm went above and beyond in helping me to feel welcome and cared for. This allowed me to explore my creative spirit in comfort, while giving me the space and encouragement to try new things and go beyond my comfort zone."

“The CCAIR is a highlight of this entire year, and I am so grateful that I could share in the experience with a group of talented and interesting artists.”