International Residency spring 2020: Clare Gatto and Lisa Vipola

We announced our first international OPEN CALL, and the board consisted of the board and visual artist Margrethe Aanestad. We received almost 100 applications, and the selected artists were Clare Gatto from Detroit, USA, and Lisa Vipola from Kiruna, Sweden. The selection took place in the fall of 2019. The artists arrived on February 1, 2020 and were introduced to the local community, and given accommodation and studios in the banquet hall at Velferden. The stay was excellent, but after a few weeks, Corona unfortunately broke out, and many of the plans we had for programme were consequently shelved - including introduction to the art scene in Rogaland, their planned exhibition at Studio 17, and visits by guest curators for studio visits and programme. We on the board conducted studio visits with the artists, and the coordinator took them on tours and showed them around the area. Clare Gatto, who came from the USA, had to return home after one month, while Lisa, who lives in Stockholm, completed her stay. Gatto has been honored for a full stay after a special Corona decision from the Cultural Council and the County Council.