The Doris Leeper Studio Complex include the following: 

Joan James Harris Theater: The 2,500 square feet black box theater acts as a functional work and performance space for artists-in-residence. The design concept is to provide a space that can be manipulated to fit the changing needs of each residency. Events and performances are held in the round, as well as in a traditional theater-style seating arrangement. The theater is equipped with a professional lighting grid that can also be customized for each residency and performance. 

Charlotte Battle Everbach Painting Studio: The 1,885-square foot Painting Studio is fitted with large northern exposure windows and light monitors that can be opened to provide natural ventilation and light. Replaceable homosote panels let artists attach or mount many materials to the walls. Work tables and portable walls make the space extremely versatile and accommodating. Typically the painting studio is organized into a collegiate style arrangement of 6-8 cubicles with multiple clamp lights for each space.

Jim and Alexis Pugh Sculpture Studio: The 1,233 square foot Sculpture Studio gives artists-in-residence the space and equipment required to undertake ambitious projects. The space is the only concrete studio in the complex, which is symbolic of the enduring materials used by sculptors. The roof is designed with a long overhang that shelters an outdoor work patio. With its three roll-up doors opened, the space flows easily from interior to exterior. Large glass windows and louvers maximize working light, while wind scoops provide ventilation for an active studio. There are many tools in this studio for working with wood, metal, and many other materials. Other specialized tools can also be requested during ACA Residencies.

Helene B. Roberson Dance Studio: The 2,609 square foot dance studio is outfitted with a sprung wood floor and an expansive, wall-length mirror. The space also features magnificent sliding glass doors, which offer a great view to the lush landscape, access to a semi-private deck, and options for controlling the climate of the studio. The sides of the studio adjacent to more public areas are built with sand-blasted windows to provide privacy and diffuse lighting for dancers and choreographers.

Ruth Scorgie Hubbard Music Studio: The 1,000 square-foot Music Studio was designed to be both insular and uplifting. The tall, vertical space is outfitted with a large skylight that connects the musician to the Florida sky. Permanent and mobile sound panels are installed to reduce reverberation and to allow musicians to control the aural qualities of the room. Another smaller, isolated recording room allows multiple musicians to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

The Music Studio is equipped with a Steinway Model B Grand Piano and a wide range of recording equipment for musicians and multimedia artists. For a complete list of audio equipment, please contact Residency Coordinator Ivan Riascos iriascos@atlanticcenterforthearts.org.

Jean and Fredrick Raffa Writing Studio: The Jean and Fredrick Raffa Writing Studio was named in honor of longtime ACA friends, members, and supporters Jeanie and Fredrick Raffa in 2013. The studio was remodeled and includes all the amenities needed for writers of all disciplines. The 540 sq ft room features a 12 foot tall window overlooking the nature of ACA, a coffee bar, reading loft, conference table with seating for 10 and equipment for research and printing materials.

Wilkinson Resource Library: Overlooking Turnbull Bay, the 876-square foot library, provides a large reading room surrounded by shelves of books, periodicals, scores, CD’s, and videos. A spiral staircase leads to a loft that provides comfortable seating and a view of the tranquil bay. The library also contains a computer and wireless internet for online research, as well as a video viewing station. The library’s collection is continually growing through generous donations from artists in residence and members of the ACA community.

Thompson Field House Media Lounge: The Field House is one of the original working and living spaces of artists in residence. After the construction of the Leeper Studio Complex, the Field House has evolved into a media lounge that offers a 50” HDTV connected to popular streaming services allowing artists to share their multimedia projects and favorite films in a comfortable setting.

Artists-in-residence are provided with a space to live (the former studio of late writer Jacqueline Johnson) and a 650-square-foot art studio called “the Ark.” The Ark was built in 1960 and was a former studio of painter Gordon Onslow Ford and mixed media artist Fariba Bogzaran. The large studio (pictured above) has a wood burning fireplace, restroom, sink, high ceilings with upper loft, wood walls, skylights, and a private deck off the sliding glass patio doors. The cottage has WiFi, a bedroom, living room, bathroom, wood burning stove, continuous wooden deck, and a full kitchen stocked with necessary cooking utensils. Parking and laundry facilities are onsite. There is also a print shop with a Sturges press available for use by artists who are experienced printmakers. Only water-based mediums may be used on the press.

Artists Studios are located within several buildings on campus. Former military barracks, Buildings 944 and 945 boast 13-foot ceilings, large windows, period detail, and hardwood floors and house 100 to 1800 square foot studios.

The Resident Artist studios are clustered in and around a converted historic dairy barn and are located about half a mile down the road (a five minute walk) from Penland’s main campus. All studios have an open floor plan with one or two smaller areas for storage or dedicated use. Each studio is unique and each has its own idiosyncratic features in keeping with the age of the building and the fact that it wasn’t originally designed to be artists’ studios. Five of the studios are on the ground floor and have concrete floors; two of the studios are only accessible by stairs and have wood floors; each studio has a utility sink and access to a shared restroom. The average studio size is about 800 square feet. Each artist enjoys 24-hour access to their private studio.

Residents are responsible for outfitting their studios with equipment and tools relevant to their daily studio practice. Studios are not furnished, and each new resident will find a blank slate when they arrive. One-year residents must bring the tools and equipment they need to pursue their proposed project. Three-year residents bring everything they need to produce work and usually spend the first several weeks of their residencies setting up their studios before they begin to produce work. Our staff works closely with each new resident artist to make sure their studio meets basic needs in terms of utilities and safety; staff can also provide support for installing specialized or heavy equipment, accepting freight deliveries, and troubleshooting electrical or ventilation needs.

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

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

If an artist is assigned one of the three studios they will have 24-hour access to the space. Studios are approximately 250 square ft with 10 ft high ceilings, roll-up garage doors and natural light. There are doors between studios as well as individual access by roll-up doors. Studio walls go up to the ceiling. Doors have key codes for privacy. A covered outdoor area and shed offer a utility sink with hot and cold water, basic tools, drop cloths, etc. Residents are encouraged to discuss their artmaking needs with the Residency Director before arrival.

Two of our four bedrooms have ample desk space for writers. We offer monitors for those who may want one. The Shed also has a desk that may be used for writing, reading aloud or incorporating audio work. There are spaces throughout the home and outdoors where writers work as well. We have a printer/scanner that artists may use.

The Shed enables Vashon Artist Residency to host composers, musicians and sound artists, as well as other artists developing new work with sound including filmmakers, choreographers, theater artists, writers and interdisciplinary artists. This new space offers artists a private space for sound experimentation, which can lead to critical creative growth. The Shed is located in a stand-alone building that has been fully renovated for sound work. It is 170 square feet with walls, ceiling, and floor all made of high-quality soundproofing materials to prevent any external noise from disturbing artists' processes. The studio is also equipped with sound-absorbing materials to minimize any echo or reverberation. It has three impact-laminated windows and one door that offers natural light and a view of the Salish Sea. Cork flooring and heat keep the space cozy throughout the year.

We are fortunate to have a highly creative and generous community here on Vashon Island. We have numerous resources to assist artists during their time here. Artists have been able to borrow or rent performance space, equipment, musical instruments and tools from Island individuals and organizations. We encourage Residents to reach out to our Residency Director before their stay if they have specific needs for their creative practice.