It all begins with an idea

It all begins with an idea. Eighteen years ago, as I was graduating from art school, I had the idea of building an artist residency here in the hamlet of Parson, British Columbia, Canada. Life took many turns along this passage to where I find myself today. But the idea of this dream always remained, simmering in my mind. When the timing was right, that idea became more prevalent in my day to day thinking and as a result, opportunities that strengthened that dream began to present themselves. As those opportunities were acted upon, I took further steps towards making this a reality. The process has been challenging but here I am, only two months from “opening the doors” to creative individuals to make things happen.

Jennifer and Shelby are here at Slough Studios because artist Jennifer Danvers had an idea of carving out time to create but also provide an enriched experience for her daughter. They arrived for a short visit in order to investigate the space that they will be living in this summer for a month. Jennifer and I had deep and generative discussions which are already stimulating creative directions for Jennifer. My idea of offering space to artists with partners and loved ones to share in the artist’s experience seemed a natural offering. For many artists it difficult to leave their families and so why not work and play in the same space? It’s an idea that this summer, we will investigate and I am confident that a new passage of arts creation will be forged.

posted by Kathryn Cooke