PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — From the Point Wilson Lighthouse to long-abandoned military bunkers, there are plenty of places to find inspiration at Fort Worden State Park. Up to 200 artists a year find it through Centrum’s artist residencies.
“It is usually a real game-changer for anybody, even people that do regular retreats and residencies, this place seems to have a special effect,” said Michelle Hagewood, manager of Centrum's arts residency program.
Artists stay in cabins on Fort Worden's campus and in addition to room and board and natural beauty, they have access to studios, tools, and facilities open to all types of creators.
"It's about taking a step away from your day-to-day life to honor and understand and work on your artistic craft,” Hagewood said.
Kim Kopp, a visual artist living in Port Townsend, did a residency here, even though it’s close to her home.
“It is an amazing discovery. I lived nearby when I initially moved here and I would walk through Fort Worden nearly every day, and then discovering Centrum and the music, and the dance, and the residency program, and discovering that they had a visual arts component — heaven!”
Sometimes this place finds its way into the art. Karen Hackenberg’s "Vented Totems" are detailed portraits of the Fort’s rooftop vents. Aaron Asis’ "Fort Words" features prescient quotes stenciled over the surfaces of decaying gun battlements and bunkers — graffiti that makes you think.
“We are situated on these S’Klallam lands, on a military base, on this rich ecological set of wonders and it's all really palpable,” Hagewood said.
Sometimes, the art becomes the place. Kim Kopp started her residency working on a ‘small’ project, a series of drawings. When she got access to a huge studio with her residency, that small project grew into a 25-foot long work of art.
“Being able to put them end by end gave a place for the drawing to breathe. To open up. And I did not know I needed that much space,” Kopp said.
In 2023 Centrum will open a new exhibition gallery — celebrating half a century of giving artists all the space they need.
To donate to Centrum's scholarship fund go to centrum.org/donate.
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