Residency

Robert Callender International Residency for Young Artists (RCIRYA)

“The value of a good studio is immense. It has its own special mood and atmosphere; a studio holds the secrets of the ideas. They are functional workshops filled with the tools and materials of the trade. Past work looms threateningly, a constant reminder of past ideas, both successful and unsuccessful, which are a spur to do better, and they encourage me to stick to my dictum that it is more progressive to make big mistakes rather than take the easy path.”

— Robert Callender

Robert Callender always acknowledged the value for emerging artists of studio visits during which they could get a sense of how committed artists lived their lives and in the surroundings they created. Over the years countless individuals and groups of young artists have become frequent visitors to Sea Loft. In the last decade many emerging Japanese artists have visited.

Callender felt a great affinity with the Japanese people after frequent visits to the country – a country and culture that had a special place in his heart. And so in the true spirit of the late Robert Callender’s generosity towards his fellow artists, we have established this residency in his name, offering the following key opportunities for emerging artists initially from Edinburgh College of Art and others from Japan and later from Scottish art colleges, plus Dutch and Chilean artists at the start of their professional career.

A month to live & work in Sea Loft, an outstanding studio situated on the beautiful Fife coastline and within easy reach of the city.

A further month working in Japan in the cities of Kyoto & Osaka.

The opportunity to exhibit in both Scotland & Japan.

The prospect of working alongside a young artist from a different culture and learn more from them about their culture.

A chance to study first hand the work & tremendous hand-and-eye skills of the late Robert Callender.

The possibility of working in this vibrant international studio which presents opportunities of meeting with a range of professionals including visual artists, authors, anthropologists architects & scientists.

The stimulus and support of dialogue with frequent visitors to Sea Loft.

At the same time, quiet to focus on ideas & work.

The experience of working as a professional artist out of art college in the world of the arts.

The chance to contribute to the working atmosphere of a well established studio.