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Jenny Family Residency

About

History

In 2008, MECA&D alumna Barbara Rita Jenny MFA '02 and her family donated the use of her family's summer home in New Edinburgh, Nova Scotia with the intention of creating a unique artist residency program that is inclusive of artist's partners and families.

The house is situated directly across the road from Baie Sainte-Marie/Wagweiik and the property includes 200 feet of water frontage and several outbuildings. This residency is open to MECA&D degree-holding alumni, faculty, and staff who are visual artists, writers, and/or scholars. Before applying, please read through all the information below.

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  • Deadline: January 31, 2025
  • Dates: May 15 – July 31, 2025
  • Residency Length: two to four weeks

Open to MECA&D degree-holding alumni faculty, and staff members. Preference will be given to artists who have not been awarded the residency in the past. Artists may no longer attend consecutive years in a row.

Residents are responsible for travel costs, but may apply for a travel stipend. Travel stipends for selected residents are provided through a generous grant from the Robert J. Jenny Memorial Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

There is no fee to attend this residency.

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Non graduated alums, SALT graduates, Post Baccalaureate graduates, Continuing Studies faculty and students are ineligible to apply.

Review Process

A review committee comprised of the Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator, a MECA&D Faculty or staff member, a member of the community, and a member of the Jenny family will make the selections.

Residencies will be determined based on the quality of work submitted, evidence that the applicant's career will benefit from the residency, that the nature and scope of proposed projects fit within the space and time limitations of the residency and that the applicant is able to work independently and responsibly.

Priority consideration is given to artists who can best take advantage of the space and for whom traditional residencies are not an option. Group projects and collaborations are encouraged.

Group Applicants

If more than one person is applying for the residency, the group should select a lead contact person who is a Maine College of Art & Design faculty member, staff member or an alum. The lead contact person should submit a single application, a combined statement of purpose for the entire group, and is responsible for including all group members’ documents (resume, work samples, etc) into the application.

Facilities

Studio space available in shed, barn, tree-house, and basement. Outdoor sculpture is possible— half acre of mowed lawn, many acres of private woods plus public beach, jetties, tidal sand bar.

Three bedrooms on the second floor plus bunk room in attic that sleeps four. House can sleep up to 10 people.

Residents purchase and prepare their own meals. Grocery stores in nearby neighboring towns.

House has a telephone with local access only. Limited cell phone coverage. No Internet access at house. Internet use available at Weymouth Library, WiFi available at Weymouth Visitors Center.

Many art materials are not generally accessible in the area, so it is best to bring the supplies that you will need.

Companions

Spouses, partners, children, and caregiver are welcome for full stay.

Residents are allowed to bring along their dogs (maximum 2 at a time). Dogs must be well behaved and live and sleep in the house with the residents. Residents should understand that there is no fencing on the property, and though traffic is minimal, cars can be quite speedy when they do come around. If bringing their dog, residents must check the requirements for dogs crossing the border (in both directions), and make sure they have all necessary paperwork.

Travel
  • By car from Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME (8+ hrs)
  • By Cat Ferry from Portland, ME (5.5 hrs) to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The house is a one-hour drive from the Ferry terminal in Yarmouth.
  • By ferry from St. John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia. The house is a half hour drive from the Ferry terminal in Yarmouth.

Citizens of the United States (U.S.) traveling between the U.S. and Canada require a valid U.S. passport.

Open Studio/Exhibition

Artists in residence are required to hold at least one open studio or exhibition event for the neighboring community at some point during the residency.

Questions

Contact the Alumni Office at 207.699.5018 or email alumirelations@meca.edu with any questions.

Past Residents