Organization
Sointula Art Shed
About
The Sointula Art Shed is a small artist-run artist residency in a cottage, with a studio and window gallery in our shed next door. Artists in residence are invited to engage in various forms of public outreach, such as workshops, concerts, readings, open studios, and/or exhibitions in our Window Gallery. Some artists have been able to offset their residency costs through hosting workshops, and we are happy to organize and help plan such things. We are open year round for artists working in a wide variety of mediums - everyone from writers, painters, musicians, photographers, sculptors, weavers, and non-medium-specific artists to researchers have done our residency. Artists who wish to bring partners and/or children are welcome to apply, though space is somewhat limited in the cottage. We also keep chickens and are happy to share eggs with the artists in residence, as well as veggies from our garden when available.
Local Information
We are located in Sointula, on Malcolm Island, BC, in traditional Kwakwaka'wakw territory. Sointula is a small coastal fishing village that is accessed via the BC Ferry route leaving from Port McNeill, on the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. The village was founded by Finnish utopian socialist settlers, led by Matti Kurikka, in 1901 - the name Sointula means Place of Harmony in Finnish. Wildlife is abundant in and around Malcolm Island, with orca, humpback, and minke whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, deer, minks, and many birds living in the area. There is also an orca belly rubbing beach on the island. We are located right in the village, so easy walking distance from most amenities, and one block up from the Sointula Museum. We also encourage all artists who come here to take the ferry (for free!) to Alert Bay, a beautiful First Nations village on our neighboring Cormorant Island, where much can be learned about Kwakwaka'wakw culture at the U'mista Cultural Centre.
Network Affiliations
No network affiliations
Current Open Calls
Alumni Reviews
2015 Alumni - Monthly residency
I've been a resident here three times, and Sointula (and the residency) is now one of my favourite places on the planet. Kerri and Tyler are fantastic hosts (and artists), and their residency is a great place to get things done, while having the option of doing interesting things in a breathtaking place. Cannot recommend enough!
2017 Alumni - summer residency
The Sointula Art Shed is a well-organized and mostly a very warm and open place where I have been given the time to reflect on my work and explore new approaches. The surroundings are amazing and exploring it has been purely magical. Being outdoors and experiencing real nature has had a very good influence on my thinking and work proces, bringing back balance into my work and practice. Sointula, and the Sointula Art Shed in particular, is a friendly place with a meaningful cultural, artistic and social heritage, offering ground for the most interesting and valuable conversations.
2015 Alumni - Artist Residency
I was an artist in residence during September 2015 and would absolutely give the Sointula Art Shed a 5 star rating! Kerri and Tyler were wonderful, warm, and the most welcoming hosts. The cottage is well maintained, clean and very cute. It has the most gorgeous view of the ocean and I have fond memories of doing my personal yoga practice out on the deck when the sun was getting ready to set in the evening. Same with the studio space. Beautiful, inspiring view to get lots of work done. Perfect for somebody who perhaps wants to get away from the city and really have some time with their creative outlet. There's also so much to take in and around this charming, quaint fishing village; including whale watching, various cute small town community gatherings, forested walking trails, etc. A real genuine BC experience with this residency. DO IT! :)
2015 Alumni - Artist Residency
I was an artist in residence during September 2015 and would absolutely give the Sointula Art Shed a 5 star rating! Kerri and Tyler were wonderful, warm, and the most welcoming hosts. The cottage is well maintained, clean and very cute. It has the most gorgeous view of the ocean and I have fond memories of doing my personal yoga practice out on the deck when the sun was getting ready to set in the evening. Same with the studio space. Beautiful, inspiring view to get lots of work done. Perfect for somebody who perhaps wants to get away from the city and really have some time with their creative outlet. There's also so much to take in and around this charming, quaint fishing village; including whale watching, various cute small town community gatherings, forested walking trails, etc. A real genuine BC experience with this residency. DO IT! :)