In a bold departure from conventional artist residencies, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass introduced the Family Residency Pilot Program, reshaping the traditional artist retreat experience. This innovative initiative seeks to provide artists and their families with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a creative sanctuary, fostering inclusivity and a sense of community.
Three artists and their families were selected to partake in two-week residency sessions, where they have access to studio workspaces, mentorships and essential resources. The inaugural participant, professional sculptor Trey Hill, shared his experience with The Sopris Sun, expressing his excitement about the newfound balance between artistic exploration and family engagement.
Hill, also a ceramics and sculpture professor at The University of Montana, achieved an impressive feat during his first week at the Ranch by crafting four clay sculptures. Reflecting on his productivity, Hill admitted, “It’s surprising for me.” His artistic journey involves large-scale sculptures, working with clay in the first week and transitioning to the newer challenge of working with steel in week two.
Acknowledging the experimental nature of his steelwork, Hill emphasized the residency “is the opportunity to make some discoveries for myself,” he said. Hill is accompanied by his partner, Olivia, and their five-year-old son, August.
The family-friendly campus at Anderson Ranch enables Hill to use the plentiful studio spaces, while Olivia’s job in healthcare, serving low-income families in Montana, allows her to work remotely.
Hill stated that August is experiencing “a truly amazing and very cool experience,” enjoying a schedule of visiting various studios from 1 to 4pm daily, engaging in ceramics, printmaking and FabLab, the Ranch’s digital fabrication lab. August also joins his father in the studio, fostering a unique father-son artistic collaboration.
As if that wasn’t enough adventure, August got his first ski lesson over the weekend. “It’s heartwarming to think about everything we’ve done in a week,” he said.
Liz Ferrill, the artistic director of painting, drawing and printmaking, has overseen Anderson Ranch’s artist-in-residency program since 2016. Recognizing a gap in traditional residency models, Ferrill explained artist residency programs typically serve single artists. “But, over the years, I noticed a demand for artists who are parents to be accommodated because parent-artists are underserved in the residency circuit,” she said.
Ferrill highlighted the significance of the Family Residency Pilot Program in supporting parent-artists like Hill. She noted the rarity of opportunities where children are welcome to join their parents in art-making, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity within families.
Anderson Ranch is currently hosting the program’s last two families, including artists Rubens Ghenov and Lynne Marinelli Ghenov with their teenage children from Tennessee and photographer Rebecca Drolen with her partner and 8-year-old daughter.
Ferrill emphasized the importance of participant feedback in refining and enhancing the program. As the Family Residency Pilot Program unfolds, Anderson Ranch Arts Center may well be at the forefront of a transformative shift in artist residencies. As Ferrill explained, “What I see is that, ultimately, it’s about community and nurture in everything we’ve been discussing with these family residencies.”