Catching up with AWE’s emerging artist-in-residence, Andrea Bresolin!
Want to learn more about our second emerging artist-in-residence? Read on for a conversation with Andrea Bresolin!
What excites you about AWE’s emerging artist residency?
I think the most exciting thing about programming like this is that it gives emerging artists like myself access to a studio and supplies to really explore their work through different mediums. I’m forever trying out new things, and having a studio to play around in really lets me embrace my growth as an artist. I’m excited to see what other emerging artists are able to explore with opportunities like this.
Can you tell us about your current projects?
My first activity was a collaborative one; during an AWE at night event, I projected a map of Windsor-Essex and asked participants to write and draw about their favourite places on the map. It was great hearing about new ‘spots’ I hadn’t heard of, and getting people to reflect about their relationship with the outdoors. Throughout the residency, I’ve also been creating in the studio. Week by week I’ve been experimenting with different natural dyes I’ve foraged and testing them on different fabrics.
What has been your favourite moment with the residency so far?
I think my favourite moment so far has been guiding a nature art walk at Ojibway nature centre. I was able to get community members outdoors and share my ecological knowledge. Having people sketch trees and wildflowers for a few minutes really cultivates intimate observation and appreciation, and I’m grateful to be a part of people’s journey of reconnecting to nature.
What do you have planned for the rest of your residency? Can you give us a sneak peek?
I’m hoping to host an open studio event with all the plant dyes I’ve been working on so far. I can’t wait to share the beautiful colours I’ve been able to make and introduce everyone to the plants behind them.
I’ve also got my upcoming exhibition at the DryGoods gallery. I’m taking this as an opportunity to spotlight some local species at risk and a component of grassland restoration long overlooked by settlers. Some folks might be able to guess based on this charcoal sketch of mine, but I’ll keep the rest a surprise!
Where can people stay up to date with you and your artwork?
I’m pretty active on my Instagram. I keep my followers posted with all of my art — digital, multimedia, photography and whatever else I’m pursuing, as well as my adventures as a stream ecologist.
About the Residency:
Three emerging artists from Windsor-Essex are set to complete a 3-month residency at Art Windsor-Essex over the course of 2022. The AWE Emerging Artist Residency is a paid opportunity for early-career artists in Windsor-Essex who want to learn, grow, develop, and show their art while engaging with the public in a series of community programs. In addition to creating new works of art in AWE’s Education Studio, the artist will create digital content and install an off-site window solo exhibition at the Dry Goods Gallery at 1012 Drouillard Road in Ford City.
This program is generously sponsored by the WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
