I just returned from the Art Students League of New York
Residency at Vyt. Here are some highlights of my time spent there as an artist-in-residence, an unforgettable experience. If reading this sparks an interest please visit their website for more information about the program and to apply.
The surroundings: The campus is located in Orangeburg NY, an hour north of NYC, in a truly picturesque setting. It's on a hill surrounded by forests and overlooking a stunning valley with the most amazing sunsets. The 15 acres area is home to staff, residents, chickens, cats and a bee hive. We were also visited by wild turkeys, deer and the occasional black bear.
 |
| the Vytlacil House |
 |
| Chickens of course |
The facilities: Our studios were great! All studios have vaulted ceilings, north light and are very spacious. Some are private while others are shared by two artists. All the bedrooms are private. The residents are split into two houses, the Vytlacil House and the Residency Hall located at a small distance from each other. There is also a well equipped workshop that has two kilns and many materials and tools. In the Vytlacil House there is a library, and a beautiful art gallery.
Three
residents are housed on the 2nd floor of the Vytlacil House, which
also contains a shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities.
Four residents
are housed in the Residence Hall, an ADA-compliant live/work facility
completed in 2010. With sleeping, cooking, and bath areas in each
residence room,
- See more at: http://www.theartstudentsleague.org/Residency.aspx#sthash.LjSe0gTK.dpuf
Three
residents are housed on the 2nd floor of the Vytlacil House, which
also contains a shared kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities.
Four residents
are housed in the Residence Hall, an ADA-compliant live/work facility
completed in 2010. With sleeping, cooking, and bath areas in each
residence room,
- See more at: http://www.theartstudentsleague.org/Residency.aspx#sthash.LjSe0gTK.dpuf
studio space is included with living quarters
studio space is included with living quarters
 |
| Vaulted ceilings and amazing lighting in my studio |
 |
| the Residency Hall view from the Vytlacil House |
The crits: We had three visiting artists that critiqued our work as a group and individually. This is a great opportunity to dialog about your art, get feedback, share ideas and learn new things. For those of us who are out of school this is our next best chance to receive an honest critique that both encourages and challenges our practice. I learned so much from these studio visits, it was definitely a highlight of my time there.
The staff: What a friendly, funny, helpful bunch of people! They organize delicious group lunches and dinners, trips to the grocery stores, answer any workshop questions. Basically there is always someone there to help and guide you trough your stay.
About the residents: My fellow residents came from Iowa, Arkansas, North Carolina, New Jersey and New York. It is typical for residents to be from different parts of the US with some coming from abroad (Australia, Japan etc). I am really happy to have met such a great group of artists!
What to do for fun: There are no TVs in the Residency. Instead you can pick up a book in the library, or go look at the artwork in the gallery. You can hike on trails, sketch by the creek, or take a longer trip to the Nyack Beach State Park and Nyack restaurants row. At night you can enjoy a drink in the oldest tavern in the United States or lit a bonfire. Also NYC is only an hour away by bus! There are so many options for fun and entertainment, eating out, etc that you'll never be bored. I certainly wasn't.
 |
| Drinks at the 76 House, the oldest tavern in the USA, 1686 |
 |
| Bonfire in the back yard |
Making art: That is the reason we all went there and I'm amazed at how much we got done. At the residency all you have to do is paint, or draw or sculpt... There are no distractions and the environment fosters creativity. The Residency accepts artists from a variety of backgrounds and artistic styles. This was an amazing opportunity for me and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any fellow artists! A special thank you to the Ruth Katzman foundation for making my residency possible!
 |
| Metal forging class on Saturdays |
 |
| The campus is full of sculptures |
