All Is Leaf: Berkshire Botanics Art and Ecology Residency

Meet All Is Leaf… A roaming residency program featuring art retreats in very special spaces dedicated to fostering ecological consciousness within the creative practice through deep, meaningful engagement with the earth and others.  

All Is Leaf is now accepting submissions for The Berkshire Botanic Residency from October 29 - November 26, 2019. All creative beings seeking dedicated time to contemplate land and earth and who desire participation in sustainable creative acts to change the world are encouraged to apply. If your work advocates awareness, innovation, or revolution towards a better relationship with our earth and each other, we want to hear from you.  As the bounty of the summer fades in the Northeastern United States, one of the most extraordinary natural displays of vibrance and color emerges: a glorious show within the landscape theater of the Berkshires, and then a slow fading into the quiet hibernation of winter. This evidence of cycle reminds us of our own impermanence and the change we see within ourselves and our processes.  All Is Leaf is situating itself directly in the middle of this time based exhibit for one month… come witness the swan song of the harvest. This is a one-time residency experience, as All Is Leaf is a nomadic program looking to introduce artists to new ways of making and thinking concerning astute environmental consciousness. Each incarnation differs in location, geologic attributes, ecological focus, concept, and type of accommodation.

Berkshire Botanics:

The Berkshires are notable for their lush forests which exhibit the spectacular evidence of seasonal flux over the course of time.  Containing the highest peak in Massachusetts, with mesmerizing views and charged with an undeniable magical energy, the Berkshires have maintained a wild and supernatural essence that is rare and fleeting in ever developing natural areas.  They have been influencing and informing creative works for as long as humans have passed through them them. 

This residency is an opportunity to engage with all things natural, but also to open dialogue around this particular experience and its influence on the artistic process.  The previous All Is Leaf program was housed in an Earthship, a dwelling made of Earth… the Berkshire Botanic space was chosen because it is nestled among rolling hills covered with trees… an arena meant for witnessing the passing of time through the lens of natural process.  This All Is Leaf offers an extended amount of time to engage with nature within this framing. To stay, to watch, and to align with the rhythm of the earth is rare in our current pace, this residency offers an extended theatrical experience of our environment. Sleeping and working in close proximity to these processes influences our souls, as artists and as humans…bringing an awareness of life, change, cycles, and simple yet epic beauty. This experience speaks to the concept of All Is Leaf, and to invite this spirit into the creative conversation is important for recognizing our role as translators and protectors of the environment. 

The Estate overlooks a large open meadow with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.  The deck overlooks the surroundings hills, a front row seat to the fall foliage extravaganza, and perfect for stargazing and watching the sun and moon rise and fall.  You can expect to see deer, fox, loads of birds, and rabbits… you may even spot a black bear! A large fire pit is located in the back yard. There are copious trails located on the property itself, in addition to many state parks and natural attractions in the area, including Mount Greylock, Mohawk Trail, Natural Bridge State Park and Cascade Falls. Williamstown and North Adams are 15 minutes away where you can find notable cultural institutions such as Mass MoCA, The Clark Institute, and Tanglewood, restaurants, grocery, pharmacy and other conveniences. 

This residency includes:

- One week to one month in a grand estate in historic Williamstown MA (4 rooms available: 1 Double, 1 Queen + 1 Twin, 1 Twin, 1 Twin)

- Access to the entire estate and the surrounding grounds for contemplation and creation of work… hiking trails accessible by foot nearby, North Adams and Williamstown are less than 15 minutes away. 

- Information and guidance to local sites and excursions available, yet optional: Mass MOCA, The Clark Institute, Olana, Mt. Greylock, Natural Bridge State Park, Tanglewood, apple picking, seasonal activities and local events. 

- Meals and snacks for the duration of the residency

- Use of baby grand piano, extensive art library, bakers kitchen, and full gourmet kitchen.

- Application assistance for grants, residencies, jobs, etc

- Optional participation in reading groups and discussions regarding art and ecology

- Optional workshops and educational resources on altered states of consciousness in regards to the creative process and the natural world

- Artist Responsibilities:

- Air transportation.

- Transportation to Williamstown residence (pick up and drop off at nearby bus, train, or airports may be available upon request and prior arrangement)

- Materials during residency

- Apply as an individual artist or collaborative group.  Applications Due October 1st, 2019.  

- Artists notified by October 11th, 2019.

Please submit the following materials :

- Artist Statement

- Resume/CV

- 5 images or 2 writing samples or 2 video or audio samples of your work.

- $10 Application fee 

Your host…

Stacy Scibelli is an artist and designer originally from New York. Having served as faculty for several academic institutions, including Rutgers University, SUNY, and Parsons: The New School, and as visiting artist at Olin College and RISD, she has worked extensively advising students along their creative pathway and has years of experience generating creativity and accessing the flow state. Stacy’s experience with curricular development and program coordination, as well as having the honor of participating as an Artist in Residence at Mass MOCA, Otis College of Art in Los Angeles, the Boston Center for the Arts, and Intercultural Odysseys in Costa Rica, has generated a vested interest in communal art making and residency programming. Additionally, as an original founding member of The Shirey in Brooklyn, Stacy has cultivated a passion for collective art spaces and the connections made through sharing the sacred space of intentional making and meaningful work.  Stacy travels with students internationally regularly, facilitating service learning through institutions and companies such as Rustic Pathways, sharing her passion for exploration and learning through positive action and responsible education.  She is a recipient of a Mass MOCA Assets for Artists grant, a Franklin Furnace Grant, and a project grant from Possible Futures in Atlanta GA.  Her habit of regularly submitting to many different opportunities makes her a good sounding board for anyone struggling to assemble an application.  Stacy has exhibited at Field Projects, Proof Gallery, Present Company, and The Parlour Bushwick in Brooklyn, the Danforth Art Museum, and the Torrance Art Museum in Los Angeles, in addition to performing at Dixon Place, the Slipper Room, and various other venues.  

During the residency, Stacy will be available for dialogue and assistance on the art making process, concept development, and future applications.  Stacy will be preparing the meals and arranging all of the excursions, which are totally optional but also open to suggestion and collaboration. Stacy is currently Artist in Residence at Arts, Letters, and Numbers (http://www.artslettersandnumbers.com/) in Averill Park NY.  She will be in residence at the Vermont Studio Center (https://vermontstudiocenter.org/) in October, and is participating in the Labor Residency at the Santa Fe Art Institute in 2020 (https://sfai.org/labor-residency/labor-artists/). 

Please take note: there are no dedicated art facilities at The Estate.  This residency is best suited for small works, contemplation, performance, documentation, research, and writing.  You are free to utilize the entire space and the surrounding grounds, but no alterations can be made to the property.  The mission of All Is Leaf is to facilitate access to unique and novel environments that impact the creative process.