My name is Heather Matson; I am a visual artist and therapist. I have been awarded an amazing opportunity to spend an entire 7 days of solitude and creative nurturing at the Trade River Retreat Center in Wisconsin, based on my artistic merit. I am asking for your help in funding the additional costs of creating a new body of work.
This is my first artist residency that came at the prefect time in my life; my children are older; I finished graduate school a year ago; and am now starting a promising career focused on art making, storytelling and therapeutic healing as an arts-based psychotherapist.
Photography has always been my passion, and I have made it a career since 2000. I have held numerous awards and shows that have paved my path. My new journey as an art therapist opens more doors for my creative soul and personal story more than ever before. Adding other self-expression modalities has only enhanced my visual storytelling.
My goal for the artist residency is to submerse myself in exploring the human psyche. Creative expressions may explore issues like; personal identity, life transitions, renewal, motherhood, sexuality and strength. This heuristic study will be helpful in understanding not only myself, but also the subjects of exploration, allowing me to express my artistic voice and becoming more effective in my profession. The final goal is to combine written and visual expressions in my first solo fine art book.
This journey will be challenging. Being away from my husband and children will be hard and dealing with myself… I can guarantee that facing myself for 7 days will produce many internal conflicts. Personal fear becomes fertile ground for change, enlightenment and rich storytelling.
The Trade River Retreat Center is wondering, peaceful and secluded place that is heavily wooded with some prairie and a beautiful winding sandy bottom river that runs through it. I will be unplugged from the outside world for a truly meditative experience. This beautiful and isolating setting is an important step in the action of practicing my artistic voice, inventing and renewing creative ideas.
This is an amazing opportunity but it is not free… That is why I am asking for your help. Trade River Retreat Center provides the lodging to me, however I do need your help with the additional costs of transportation, food, art supplies, photographic processing, daycare costs at home as well as lost wages.
My sincere gratitude for your consideration and support,
Heather
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1982174534/artist-residency-at-trade-river-retreat-center-wi
