TRANSIT, a new artist residency program on the move in Chicago
A new kind of transient artist residency designed to "help artists go places "has been launched in Chicago's Logan Square HelloChicago has learned.
Founded by Meredith R. Winer, TRANSIT will serve artists in as many creative disciplines as possible. The program is aptly named for its mission of shuttling Chicago artists "outbound" for their residency and visiting artists transported "inbound," to work in a specific location. Winer added that artists would only be sent where agreements have been created. She is in the early stage of discussions with the owners of a Tuscany cottage in Italy and an old mill house in New Jersey.
In an exclusive interview with HelloChicago, Winer said decreased federal and local funding, compounded by cuts in school arts programs, have created a disconnect between art and those who create it. But as communities shift towards local sustainability, artists will again play a vital role in defining community. "The more technological a society becomes, there's a backlash," Winer said. "People then crave things that are handmade. A fine binding, pottery. The industrial things are so accessible," Winer added, "that we begin to crave the human touch in things."
Chicago has long experienced a dearth of intense artist residency programs. While several exist, TRANSIT would be the first that has an inbound and outbound program and that places artists in locations and communities. Winer, a 40-year-old sculptor, has been working on establishing TRANSIT for more than a year. Its first fund raiser will be held in conjunction with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affair's Chicago Artists Month, with the TRANSIT exhibit running from Oct. 2-30, during which it will sell work by artists nationally. The month-long theme is "City as Studio."
Located in the city's bustling Logan Square neighborhood, TRANSIT (click here for the web site) is taking the lead in a national grass roots movement to tie artists and their work to community. Funding will go towards programs and eventual living space and a gallery for TRANSIT and its artists.
Posted by Lori Rotenberk
