Delta Waterfowl will not be offering the Weston Artist in Residence fellowship for 2010. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Weston family for supporting this fine program for the past eight years.
W. Garfield Weston Artist in Residence on the Delta Marsh in Manitoba
What: Paid (approx CAN$ 1500/month) fellowship for two Canadian artists to create art inspired by the natural world. A small budget will also be available to the students to purchase needed art materials.
When: Anytime from late April through mid-August, 2009, depending on the chosen applicant’s schedule. (Applications due March 23, 2009.)
Where: The Delta Waterfowl Research Station on famous Delta Marsh at the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, 100 km west of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Living Situation: The artists will have his/her own cottage at the Station on the shore of Lake Manitoba. The cottage will provide the artist with rustic, safe, and comfortable living conditions. It has a furnished kitchen and bathroom, but no on-site laundry. Depending on weather conditions, the artists may need to put up with occasional outbreaks of bothersome insects outdoors. A bike and a personal vehicle, though not necessary, are assets in getting around the station and into town.
Delta Station, including the artist’s cottage, is located on the vast Delta Marsh complex on the south shore of Lake Manitoba. The artist will have the use of a canoe to paddle these waters, which attract a wide variety of wildlife, especially birds during the spring and fall migrations. The land around the station is characterized by open, flat, farmland, and provides myriad opportunities for landscape painting. Delta Beach and the University of Manitoba Field Station are also nearby.
Workspace: The cottage will serve as the artist’s workspace, but a wood shop and computer lab (with internet access) are also available.
The artists will also have access to the substation Delta maintains in the Minnedosa, MB area. This area is characterized by rolling farmland dotted with many small wetlands that attract a great variety of wildlife, especially birds. Further, the substation is located just 60 miles south of the ecologically rich and beautiful Riding Mountain National Park.
Delta Waterfowl Overview: A waterfowl research and conservation organization, Delta Waterfowl has supported many of the world’s top waterfowl and wetlands biologists in its almost 100 year history. It has attracted an impressive list of nature artists as well, including Al Hochbaum (the station’s first director), Peter Ward, F.L. Jaques, Peter Scott, Richard Bishop, David Maass, and Les Kouba. Delta funds students and professional biologists to conduct waterfowl and wetlands research throughout North America. Each July, the students convene for a weekend at the Station to give presentations and seminars on their research.
Qualifications Sought: Responsible, mature (at least 19 years of age), self-directed Canadian nature artists with an adventuresome spirit, strong interest in nature and field conditions, and a motivated approach. Must be willing to spend significant time alone, but also be able to get along well with others. Many applicants are art students, but enrollment in an art program is not a necessary qualification for the fellowship.
Advisorship: Professional painter Jim Rataczak will meet with the students for a few days in July, and will be available through phone and e-mail. Jim will provide the student with guidance and critique to the extent solicited by the student, and will informally instruct the student in methods and techniques during the summer visit.
Deadline for Application: Must be received by March 23, 2009.
Application Materials: Send current C.V., along with 2 letters of recommendation, cover letter, and images (digital or prints) of at least 6 examples of your artwork, to Jim Rataczak either via e-mail : jimrataczak@msn.com or regular mail:
Delta Art Fellowship
C/O Jim Rataczak
13 Hillcrest Lane
Circle Pines, MN 55014
USA
The cover letter should address the applicant's reasons for wanting this fellowship, and how nature inspires him/her to create art. The letters of recommendation are very important, and should speak to the applicant's maturity and ability to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Notification to all applicants will be made by the end of the application month.
Donation: At the end of the summer, it is hoped that the students will be able to donate one representative piece of artwork to the Weston Foundation and one to Delta’s permanent art collection. Preferably the pieces will be ones that were inspired by and/or created during the summer of the student’s Delta residency.
Further questions? Call Delta toll free at 1-877-667-5656.