Spring 2020 Artists in Residence
Ashley Trail is a visual artist and photographer, who uses storytelling to stir empathy and awaken hearts. Through photography and printmaking, Ashley captures the beauty and dignity of a person, no matter the circumstance. Her artistry challenges others to respond to the needs around them. Ashley strives to build a friendship and connectedness with those whose story she tells. This allows her to create connections and understanding for her viewers. She works with determination, not to exploit those she meets, but to share their stories through visual artistry in a way that respects and reflects the dignity in each individual.
Ashley’s Project: “Through photography and other visual art forms, I invite others to participate and struggle with the barriers that prevent us from seeing the homeless. My husband and I have built a unique friendship with a homeless community in the DFW area with the hopes of sharing stories of empathy and compassion. I will be using photography, found objects, photo transferring techniques and printmaking to build a connection between the participants and the homeless. I will also share stories that humanize and open our eyes to see beyond cardboard signs and tent cities. The intent of this project is to see what the homeless community might teach us when we listen. We are all created in the image of God, the homeless, the difficult to love, the easy to love—all of us. Our circumstances do not determine our identities, but often we let it. So if Christ defines us, what does this mean for how we interact with those that make us uncomfortable? What can the homeless communities teach us?”
Paul Demer's warm and lyrical style is reminiscent of the 1970s sensitive-songwriter tradition. Through careful song crafting and inclusive stage presence Paul connects with diverse audiences in homes, bars, churches, and hospitals. His latest album "I'm Glad You're Still Around" has been celebrated for its storytelling and subtle production. Paul plans to record and release a new EP in the summer of 2020. Weaving autobiography with the stories of others, “On the Way Back Down” expands on the empathetic themes present in “I’m Glad You’re Still Around.” Paul hopes that his music might build bridges in these divided times.
Paul’s Project: “As a part of the Dallas Theological Seminary / Art House Dallas residency program, I will be recording, releasing, and promoting a new EP called “On The Way Back Down.” Over the last couple of years I’ve been drawn to what I would call empathetic songwriting. Instead of writing from just my own experience, I’ve been writing from the perspective of my friends, loved ones, and other people I’ve met while doing my work. My last album “I’m Glad You’re Still Around” featured several empathetic songs and my current project is almost entirely inspired by the stories of others. The more I write in this mode, the more I realize that the stories of others are often my own stories as well. In our divided culture, I think songs like these can be like little bridges to connect us and remind us that we are often more similar than we are different. These are songs of both brokenness and redemption—songs in the tension of reality and resurrection. I hope they help people to feel seen, heard, and included—not just the people for whom I wrote them, but all of us with our overlapping and interconnected stories of joy and loss.”
Tate Hollingsworth is a visual artist living and working in Denton, TX. Originally from Beaumont, TX, she ventured to the University of North Texas, where she received her BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Drawing and Painting. In her creative practice, she playfully explores the major ideas of vulnerability and weakness through painting, drawing, and sculpting, and how those experiences shape our understanding of ourselves, God, and faith. Tate often uses found materials, building materials, and house paint among many others with various construction methods to think about and communicate these ideas.
Tate’s Project: “The work I plan to execute takes the form of research through making. During my residency, I intend to research the major themes of vulnerability and weakness through creating a series of visual works. I want to stretch the format of my work, incorporating more sculpture, but also keeping the practice of painting and drawing as a part of my process. Materials will range from traditional drawing and painting media, to found materials, building materials, house paint, foam, and cement. The elements I tend to work with are often familiar, nostalgic, beautiful, used, dilapidated, and sometimes even unpleasant. My overall hope is to further understand myself, experiences, and God, and that by sharing my process and work with others, they could gain similar understandings. Reflection with God and community will play an integral part of shaping this project and forming these ideas in a way that brings revelation and transformation. My goal is that my work would give people the space to feel seen or understood, or that that they would seek to see and understand others through both similarities and differences. I desire that my work can bring comfort, broader vision, and hope to others, allowing their vulnerability and weaknesses to be seen in a different light.”
Artist Residency Overview
The Artist Residency Program facilitated by Dallas Theological Seminary and Art House Dallas selected three artists for the Spring 2020 residency program. Artists will be given time, space, and inspiration to explore ideas and produce work. Time spent in this residency allows each artist to connect with Dallas Theological Seminary, Art House Dallas, and the broader Dallas community while allowing the freedom to accomplish and produce desired works during the residency.
The institutions behind this residency program have created a collaboration to further enhance networking opportunities and artist development methods for each artist-in-residence. Each participant’s art-making process, during this residency, should integrate the following:
their particular artistic voice
a desire to expand their creative practice through a dedicated project
a consideration of their faith and Christian theology
a deepened understanding of themselves and their work
The artist residency includes: a monthly stipend, professional development resources, access to a fully equipped state of the art recording studio, gallery space, rental equipment, as well as speaking and sharing opportunities. There are no fees associated with this residency.
The time period of the residency is adaptable to the needs of the resident within January through June of 2020 but limited to 4 months.
Community Outreach
In addition to working on a clearly-defined project, residents are asked to make a contribution to the community through active involvement in Art House Dallas programing. Participation consists of medium/discipline related events and the Deploy program where participants will assist in leading workshops or sharing their own work and passion for the arts with communities that have little or no exposure to the arts and artistic expression. Artists are also encouraged to conduct one public performance or event. This can take the form of an open rehearsal, performance, screening, reading, class, or talk.