Anita Wetzel Residency Grant
Anita Lynn Wetzel was the founding spirit of Women’s Studio Workshop. In her life and in her art she epitomized generosity and grace. Anita was a true humanist, in one with nature. In honor of Anita’s legacy, her friends and WSW are establishing the Anita Wetzel Residency Grant at Women’s Studio Workshop. The Anita Wetzel Residency Grant is a new opportunity focused on mature artists (45 years old and up) to create new work and fully immerse themselves in WSW’s supportive environment. This residency gives artists the gift of time, 4-6 weeks, to live and work away from the stresses of daily life. Artists may choose to work in any one or more of our studios: intaglio, letterpress, papermaking, screen printing, darkroom photography, or ceramics. This residency is fully subsidized. WSW provides housing and studio space at no cost. Additionally, the selected artist will receive a stipend of $350/week, up to $500 for materials used during the residency, and up to $250 toward travel within the Continental US. Artists receive a thorough studio orientation and are expected to work independently, although studio staff is available to provide assistance. Deep technical assistance can be arranged for an additional fee. The artist is responsible for any other expenses such as meals and incidentals while in residence.
Application Opens: May 27
Deadline: August 1
Residency length: 4-6 weeks
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Since our founding in 1974, Women’s Studio Workshop has been a professional artist studio dedicated to the creation of community, opportunity, empowerment, and development for women artists in all stages of their careers. As we continue to serve this mission, we believe that we can honor our core values and address gender equity more fully by explicitly expanding our concept of gender beyond patriarchal frames of reference.
WSW supports all women and trans, intersex, nonbinary and genderfluid people in residencies and internships. Classes, studio rentals, and public events are open to all.
What does this mean when you visit the studio and stay on campus?
- we intentionally create space to honor pronouns and names
- we uphold a set of community guidelines and have systems in place to report conflict
- we firmly believe in fostering an environment of communication, exploration, and bold expression that is respectful, safe, and accepting of all the members of our community.
Accessibility
Intaglio, papermaking, book arts, and letterpress studios are wheelchair accessible.
Some artist apartments are inaccessible, upstairs silkscreen studio and offices are inaccessible.
Housing & Accomodation
Wheelchair accessible common room, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry spaces.
Studio & Facilities
WSW has been making quality handmade papers since 1979. Our Papermaking studio is designed for sheet-forming processes, low relief, and three-dimensional work.
In 1999, WSW began the ArtFarm program, which allows us to grow our own fibers for hand papermaking. Through ArtFarm we’ve now tested over one hundred native and invasive species for their fiber strength, coloring capacity, print worthiness, and translucency.
Papermaking Studio Equipment List
- 1000 sq. ft. studio space
- Two 1-1/2 lb. Hollander beaters: one David Reina and one custom built
- 30″ x 40″ hydraulic press
- Vats up to 22″x 28″
- 4′ x 6′ custom stainless steel vacuum table
- A variety of moulds and deckles including small sugetas
- 30″ x 40″ stack dryer
- Outdoor cooking facility for fibers and dyes
In WSW’s Silkscreen studio, artists can screenprint on paper or fabric, using traditional or photo techniques. We only use water based/acrylic media. For a fee, we can also make screens for artists who are working on projects outside of our studios.
Silkscreen Studio Equipment List
- 900 sq. ft. studio space
- Exposing table 33″ x 45″
- Drying rack 45″ x 68″
- Wide range of screens up to 3′ x 4′
- Power washer
- Photo facilities for images up to 30″ x 40″
- 32 linear feet of textile printing surface
- Squeegees from 4″ to 34″
WSW’s Letterpress studio is equipped to handle projects that employ handset lead or wood type; photopolymer plates; wood or linoleum block; and die cut imagery.
Letterpress Studio Equipment List
- 11″ x 18″ Chandler and Price platen press
- Two 14″ x 18″ Vandercook Proof press No. 3 (manual)
- One 19″ x 26″ Vandercook SP20 (electric)
- A variety of lead and wooden typefaces
- 9″ x 12″ magnetic base
- 13″ x 24″ Line-O-Scribe proof press
- Vacuum platemaker 23.5″ x 29.5″
Rather than use traditional acids to etch plates, Women’s Studio Workshop uses non-toxic materials: ferric chloride for copper and salt etch for aluminum and zinc. We generally stock copper and plastic plates, along with a selection of fine print and handmade papers.
Etching Studio Equipment List
- 1200 sq. ft. studio space
- Two Charles Brand press, 30″ x 50″ and 26″ x 48″
- 18″ x 22″ viscosity rollers
- A separate ventilated acid room with a 4’ x 29” workspace and stainless steel sink
- Hot plate 20”x 24”
- Flexible shaft rotary tool
- 18″ x 24″ vertical tank with Ferric Chloride
- Etching trays up to 25″ x 30″
- Drying rack 30″ x 46″
- Damp/dry box 28″ x 42″
- Glass top inking table 26″ x 8′
- Photopolymer platemaking capacity up to 23″ x 29″
WSW’s Book Arts equipment allow artists to create and bind work, ranging from the simplest saddle-stitched book to the finest codex.
Book Arts Studio Equipment List
- Electric guillotine 33″ throat
- Board shear (Jacques) 40″
- Two book presses: 10″ x 13″ and 11″ x 16″
- English sewing frame
- English cutting frame
- Standard wooden press
- Cradles
- Spiral binder
- Saddle stitcher
WSW maintains a complete black and white darkroom, as well as limited digital facilities that may be used by special request. Artists can comfortably print up to 16”x 20” in this space.
Darkroom Studio Equipment List
- Two Omega D2 enlargers with 35mm to 4″ x 5″ negative capacity
- Omega B22XL enlarger
- Bessler 4″ x 5″
- Dry mount facilities
- Contact frames up to 20″ x 25″
- Saunders easels 11″ x 14″ and 24″ x 24″
- Focus scopes
- 100″ sink
- Trays to 20″ x 24″
Artists working in any of our studios have access to the digital resources in our studio with assistance from a trained staff person. Additional resources are available through our relationship with the SUNY New Paltz Digital Fabrication Lab, and can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
In-Studio Digital Resources List
- 28″ Vinyl Plotter and Editing Software
- 24″ Epson Printer
- Large format scanner
- HP Color Laser Printer
- Kyocera Black and White Inkjet Printer
- Xerox Machine
- Adobe Creative Suite