AT RISK – SALAMANDER
Public Art Residency and Art Exhibition
FEGARI, 20x25cm, Tempera and Acrylic on canvas, 2022 photo by Christos Damianos
Residency Dates: September 9-13, 2024
Location: George Foster House at Phyllis Rawlinson Park, Richmond Hill, ON
Timeline:
Submission Deadline: August 20, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT
Notification of Selection: August 29, 2024
Exhibition Dates: January 13-19, 2025
Exhibition Venue: Boynton House at Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park, Richmond Hill, Note: While participants in the ATS Residency will be given priority, non-participants can also submit work.
Timeline:
Submission Deadline: December 18, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT
Notification of Selection: December 27, 2024
Installation: January 13, 2025
Opening Reception: January 14, 2025, 4-7 PM
Deinstallation: January 19, 2025, 2 PM
Project Description:
At Risk - Salamander Art Projects (ARS) invites artists to submit their work exploring themes of environmental preservation and conservation of species, focusing on the Jefferson Salamander and Unisexual Ambystoma in York Region, particularly the Oak Ridges Corridor Reserve, which is part of the Greenbelt. ARS begins with an Artist Residency and culminates in an Art Exhibition and a small publication.
This in-person, self-directed residency and art exhibition project aim to immerse individuals in nature as they study and document the human impact on nature and generate a series of personal or collective intercultural encounters between artists, nature, species, and the general public. Participants will be inspired to explore alternative paths into the concepts of nature, conservation, and change diversity by providing time and space for artists to think, create, and collaborate.
About the Curator
Christos Damianos is an independent curator, artist, and educator deeply engaged with various art groups and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and Greece, where he actively promotes arts and culture. He has participated in numerous community art projects, solo and group exhibitions in the Greater Toronto Area and abroad. Damianos holds a BFA from Western University and a Master's from Niagara University.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Damianos delves into themes of identity and perception. His studio practice is often autobiographical, reflecting evolving contemporary, social, and personal experiences. Rooted in a stream of consciousness and experimentation with the physicality of the medium, his haptic process of working invites viewers to establish a personal relationship with his work. These sensory experiences can catalyze lost connections, personal memories, and life experiences, often hidden within the simplicity of the medium or the unassuming presence of the work.
Residency Submission Requirements:
The Residency will be held at Phyllis Rawlinson Park and the courtyard of the George Foster House in Richmond Hill in September, while the Art Exhibition will take place at Boynton House in January 2025, allowing time for participating artists to complete their work. The two main sites are only 6 km apart and have been selected with purpose.
Artists must submit the following materials via email to Curator Christos Damianos with the subject “AT RISK Open Call [First Name Last Name]”:
Up to 5 images (JPEG format, max 5MB each image)
CV
Artist bio (PDF, max 250 words)
Artwork list, dimensions, date, and description (PDF, max 250 words)
Free submission. Artists are responsible for their transportation, meals, and accommodations during the residency as well as all transportation and insurance of their works during the time they participate in this project.
About the Residency: ARS participating artists will gain, share, and collaborate on building:
Skills: Studio practice, workshops, artist talks, documentation, and research.
Relationships: Opportunities to connect and cultivate professional networks.
Practical Experience: Creating new ideas and work through encouraged experimentation.
Participating artists are expected to:
Attend at least 4 of the 6 residency sessions, which include walks, hikes, informal workshops, artist talks, panel discussions, facilitated discussions, and collaborations. These sessions will run primarily between 9:00 AM – 4 PM EST, Monday through Friday. Artists are encouraged to independently attend and work in the location outside of the residency hours.
Have a project concept and clearly defined learning objectives for advancing their public art practice to make the most of the residency experience.
Respect the time and knowledge of organizers and other fellow participating artists by committing to cultivate a safe, inclusive, supportive, and respectful space for learning, exploration, and growth.
We encourage applications from all qualified candidates representing the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation, as well as individuals living with a disability.
Accessibility: The residency and exhibition spaces are partially accessible.
For more information, please contact:
Christos Damianos, Curator and Project CoordinatorE: christosdamianosfa@gmail.com
This project is grateful for the support of the City of Richmond Hill’s Community and Cultural Grant.
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