Artists & Researchers

The Library’s Residency program is not just for visual artists. More information about the program is available at the bottom of this page.

2019 Residencies

The Library is hosting a range of residencies this year, starting with the graphic artist and speculative fiction writer (and librarian and musician) Jeremy Ferris in January and February.

The Library welcomes an intensive weeklong residency in mid-September with Asa Wilder and Kendell Harbin, who will be investigating: “What is the correlation between queer identity — as brought to the forefront by the gay liberation movement from 1970 to 1990 — and the increased accessibility of home video technology?”

Ongoing in 2019: Multimedia artists Lacey and Shay are in residence; musicians KLOOJ (Thom Blum and Charles Kremenak) are in residence exploring “Action in the Stacks” electronic music productions and performances. Writer in residence is Nishant Batsha: https://www.nishantbatsha.com

2018 Residencies

The Library is partnering in 2018 with Embark Gallery to support the Gallery’s residency program in research-based arts practices. Each resident at Embark Gallery chooses a nonprofit organization as a partner in their research-based project at the heart of their residency. In 2018 the Library was chosen by Embark resident Tamara Porras to be her organizational partner in this program.

Monica Westin joined both the Guest Host and the Residency community in February 2018 with a Writers Residency that incorporates hosting public access some Saturdays starting in March.

Marshall Trammell continues.

Marie Martraire continues.

 

2017 Residencies

Our anchor artist/researcher for 2017–2018 is Marshall Trammell.

Dustin Mabry was a 2017 scholar in residence.

 

2016 Residencies

Nicole Lavelle, 2015 – 2017 long-term resident artist. Nicole’s primary Residency project is the Place Talks series of public events.

Sherri Wasserman, Fall, 2016, Artist

Sylvia Herbold, Summer, 2016, Artist

Alumnae

Louisa Penfold, Summer, 2015, Artist

Lucy Quinn, Spring, 2015, Artist

In 2014, Michael Swaine was a contributing artist: He created the Library’s Utopia chair.

Pierre Leguillon, Summer, 2010; Summer, 2011 (Residency sponsored by Kadist Foundation for the Arts)

Felicity Tayler, Spring 2011, Artist

Monty Cantsin, seasonal, 2009, 2010, 2011

In 2006, Vanessa Renwick was a contributing artist: She donated the artwork titled Patriot Act to the library, which is the neon “Free / Speech / Fear / Free” sign that hangs above the door. Patriot Act was originally commissioned of Renwick by the Reed College Library.

About the Residence Program:

The Library’s Residence program is open to anyone engaged in research-based projects for whom expanded access to the Library’s collection could make a major contribution to their work. While the program was originally developed to support visual artists, we also encourage inquiries from scholars, activists, poets, fiction writers, or anyone else in addition to visual artists. Residencies are offered based on a match between the expressed realm of inquiry and the particulars of the Library’s holdings, and also on the degree of match in time frames.

The Library can accept up to four Residents per year. We are actively fundraising to support stipends of $500 for Residents, with one stipend offered in 2015 and two offered in 2016. We hope to support up to four stipends in 2017. Stipends are offered on an as-available basis to Residents whose stays will span at least 7 days. To request more information or to inquire about a Residency please email the co-founders at info@prelingerlibrary.org with “Library Residency” in the subject line and allow two weeks for a reply (as we all have other jobs). Please inquire at least three months before you would wish to visit.

Before writing a letter of inquiry, please note that residencies are offered based on a match between the expressed realm of inquiry and the particulars of the Library’s holdings. We find that this perspective bears repeating. The residency program emerged through our face-to-face process of discovery that some researchers’ realm of inquiry would obviously be served by expanded access (outside the public open hours). We welcome long-distance inquiries, but they should reflect an understanding of the Library’s holdings (gained from the website), and should express how the Library’s particular holdings would advance the researcher’s line of inquiry.