Awakening: Elemental Creativity and Spirituality

Awakening: Elemental Creativity and Spirituality 
Facilitator: Monica Bodirsky
Program Dates: June 26 - July 4 2023. (Check in is 1pm.  Check out is 11 am.)

Submission Deadline: April 13, 2023
Cost:$875.75 for private bedroom, shared studio and includes HST and facilitator’s fee

Awakening is an intensive and immersive 7-day thematic residency open to all professional and emerging artists of all disciplines.  The residency will be of particular interest to those who are interested in exploring the five elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit, and who wish to connect to the idea of the ‘witch’ in both a historical and contemporary context. People of colour, diverse gender identifications, and all abilities are encouraged to apply.

The experience was designed to provide a sacred and inspirational space for seekers to explore their own practice within the elemental framework. The objective is to engage holistic practices that connect our authentic self with our environment and to incorporate metaphysical practices within creative self-expression. Finding agency through voice, decolonization, global environmental concerns, socio-political and economic factors, which affect our ability to be open about our spiritual practice in the arts, are key components.

Artscape Gibraltar Point is an artist retreat nestled against the magnificent natural backdrop of Toronto Island. It offers a distraction-free environment to focus on art creation, and a rich potential for the creation of corporeal artworks amongst its blue-flag beaches (one of them being clothing optional) and natural surroundings of Lake Ontario, forests and gardens filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables.

On the island, there are tiny quaint homes, a historic lighthouse, a hobby farm and antique
carnival grounds. Cozy up in a furnished studio and bedroom, and enjoy amenities such as a fully equipped common kitchen, shared bathrooms, laundry facilities and wireless Internet. AGP is a barrier-free and inclusive environment. The Toronto city core is just a 15-minute ferry ride away.

Along with programmed time, participants will have free time to work individually or collaboratively in a studio environment and explore the island.

Artscape Gibraltar Point on Tkaronto (Toronto) Island is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

Artists are responsible for getting themselves and their gear to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and onto the ferry. Once on the Island, Artscape Staff will provide transportation to the centre.

FACILITATOR BIO

Monica Bodirsky, BDes CH, is an entrepreneurial artist, author, consultant and earth-based spiritual practitioner whose work is designed specifically to empower those seeking deeper meaning in their lives. She graduated as a graphic designer and illustrator from Seneca College, received her bachelor’s degree in design from OCAD University, and recently,  a Chartered Herbalist through Dominion College. Her work has been published traditionally as well as independently and includes tarot and oracle decks, short stories, art exhibitions and commissioned illustrations. A sought-after speaker she has been invited to several spiritual conferences and workshops nationally and internationally. She founded the WITCHfest North Arts and Culture Festival, worked as sessional faculty at Sheridan college for several years, and OCAD University for ten years. She lives and works in Tkaronto (Toronto).

STUDIO/WORKSPACE & ACCOMMODATION 

A private room is available for all artists. Artists will have access to a communal kitchen to cook their own meals in. Shared, furnished, large studio space provided.

COVID-19

Artists must be fully vaccinated (two+ doses) or provide a doctors note for a medical exemption. Artists will be expected to comply with all of Artscape Gibraltar Point’s health and safety protocols even if they differ from what might be expected elsewhere.  Artists coming from abroad must comply with Government of Canada rules for travel to Canada. See: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

FEES & SUPPORT
Regretfully, we are unable to provide honoraria or stipends to cover travel or the fees associated with attending this residency. However, we are happy to provide letters of support to any funding programs to which artists wish to apply. We encourage applicants to pursue funding opportunities afforded them by their national, regional, local and departmental funding agencies. Please visit ArtsUnite (a project of Artscape) for some resources on funding and applying for grants. ArtsReach also has a useful calendar to explore grants.

TO APPLY

Spaces are limited. To apply please visit https://www.monicabodirsky.com/awakening

ABOUT ARTSCAPE GIBRALTAR POINT Located in the former Toronto Island Public and Natural Science School, Artscape Gibraltar Point offers 35,000 square feet of affordable retreat space, artist studios and accommodations for artists and creative thinkers. The tranquil, idyllic setting is world-renowned as a centre for members of the artistic and non-profit communities to think, experiment, collaborate and share ideas.

More than 200 artists a year from across the globe experiment and create art through self-directed artist retreats and thematic residencies hosted in our overnight accommodations. In addition to hosting a maximum of 20 visiting artists at any given time, fifteen long-term artist work studios provide space for a range of painters, sculptors, musicians, filmmakers and a recording studio – all of whom contribute to the unique and collaborative atmosphere at Artscape Gibraltar Point.

ABOUT ARTSCAPE Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Artscape is the operator of Artscape Gibraltar Point. Our work involves clustering creative people together in real estate projects that serve the needs of the arts and cultural community and advance multiple public policy objectives, private development interests, community and neighbourhood aspirations and philanthropic missions.