It’s not everyday that you get to go to Iceland. I am making the most of it.
It has been a year full of opportunity for Christina Wilson Art. This past year I applied to Gamli Skoli (Old Schoolhouse Artist Residency) in Hrísey Island in order to attain a 1 month artist residency to create a new body of work for 2019. I was fortunate to hear back from the selection committee this week with good news that I had been selected for a 1 month residency in September, I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. I will be creating 8 new pieces based on my stay in Iceland on Hrísey Island.
Hrísey is a village of just 200 people. There are a few houses, but mainly it is surrounded by water and mountains, gazing at photos I notice these are some of the most picturesque views I have ever seen. I will be painting outside (en plain aire) often and also from the large windows at Gamli Skoli.
Gamli Skoli was an old schoolhouse a non-profit named Norðanbál turned into a space for artists to get away in order to create new work. There are many spaces like this around the world which afford artists who may not be fund a studio to work in a space to stay and create.
Many artists depend on residencies as a main source of funding in order to create new work and to network with other artists and have access to exhibits. My son and husband will be traveling with me this month at Gamli Skoli, I am excited to have my little 2 year old son, Jonah, running through the halls of the old schoolhouse, while I work. This will afford me so much space and time to work on a very dear and near to my heart exhibit which will portray abstraction through light and focus on Alaska’s Midnight Sun.
The money raised at the fundraiser on August 19 goes directly to artist supplies and transport cost of canvases, frames, paint, and construction materials needed to create my new body of work during the month of September 2018 at my residency in Iceland.
With over 100 visitors we sold $3500 in art sales for supplies for Iceland travel!
Smells of Alaska wildflowers filled the space, and color was full with paintings. This was the largest solo show I have ever conducted.
I feel lucky to have been able to use this space which was renovated for artists.
Prints, paintings, painted wine glasses and growlers, greetings cards, and t-shirts/onesies made by Christina Wilson Art were available.
Thank you to my husband who was my right hand man and steed during the endeavor. He drives my passion and encourages me every step of the way. I can never do it without Josh.
If you would still like to donate to my painting residency please feel free to visit my donation page.
Donate here: https://christinawilsonart.com/product/donations/
Thank you to everyone for making this dream come true.