Founded by the artist Linda Burnham in 2016, with the support of the Robert Overby Estate, Alternative Worksite is scheduled to open for its first full Artist Residency program in Fall 2019.
Mission
Alternative Worksite Artist-in-Residence Program is designed to encourage the creative, intellectual and personal growth of emerging and established visual artists. It is a program of individual pursuit among a community of artistic peers. It is expected that each artist will have the sufficient skills and experience to work independently in their studio area.
The residency is designed to allow artists to take risks and pursue new projects and ideas, free from everyday pressures. Open to artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, and skill levels, who seek time and space away from their daily lives to focus on their creative process, our mission is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by providing uninterrupted time for work, reflection, and collegial interaction in a setting of great natural beauty.
Alternative Worksite expects each resident to use this gift of time and space to actively pursue artistic research through a rigorous studio practice.
Program Goals
• Support and provide artists with opportunities for growth through exploration in their work and practice(s)
• Encourage thoughtful engagement and exchange with the local artists and audiences of Roanoke.
• Bring together artists in varying fields, and build meaningful and lasting relationships within an ever-growing community
Visiting Artists and Critics
In an effort and a desire to build a dynamic community, there will be domestic and international visiting artists. The visiting artists will be invited by the founder and will stay for weeks at a time to add an additional level of interaction and opportunity for the Artists in Residence. The visiting artists will have their own private Studios when requested, as well as private sleeping quarters. They will interact with the AW community through studio visits, critique settings and the weekly dinner, hosted at the founder's home.
Community Engagement
We plan to engage the art community, including artists, writers, critics and the museums, in and around Roanoke through open studios and lectures.