Heather Cline (Self Directed AIR Artist, Regina, Saskatchewan)

“This was a great experience. The public engagement with the program exceeded my expectations.”

Studio Facilities – Ninfa Studio    

“It was a beautiful peaceful oasis to work in, I really enjoyed the site. I think the sense of the history of the site really complimented my particular project.”

Community       

“I really enjoyed exploring Vernon. Part of my project involved visiting people and sites that they talked about; this enriched my experience of the community.”

Overall Experience         

“This was a wonderful experience. Vernon and area is a fascinating community. The collision of history, agriculture and new influx of people looking for the Okanagan lifestyle makes for a rich and diverse community. The Caetani site is a peaceful oasis in the middle of a city, the history of the site and Sveva’s poignant artistic journey added a depth to creating art in the space. I felt very welcomed. I really appreciated the patience and support that the staff, and residents, demonstrated in support of my project.”

Additional Comments  

“Thanks to the Caetani staff for helping make my residency so very worthwhile. I look forward to visiting the site again. I am very excited by plans to highlight the history of the site and eventually open areas for public events.”

Ilyana Martinez (Fresh AIR Artist, Toronto, Ontario)

“The experience will stay with me and has positively affected my work in countless ways. It was of immense importance and presented me with much inspiration. I was able to explore a part of the country which I had been longing to visit for many years. Having a large secluded studio space allowed me the time, focus, and consistency to create a strong body of work. I spent a lot of time walking on the grounds of the Nature Centre, taking in the spectacular environment and studying the exhibits and specimens on its premises. I also benefitted from learning about Sveva Caetani’s history through books, internet research, and from conversations with people in the community.”

“It was a wonderful opportunity to visit the surrounding area, to go to the salmon runs, and visit local museums and galleries in Kelowna and Penticton.”

Residential Accommodations – Caetani House 

“The residential accommodation was fantastic: spacious, bright, and comfortable! I enjoyed the beautiful, relaxing gardens. It was a luxury to have a studio space on-site. I also made use of the bicycle offered to me, as that was my main mode of transportation.”

Studio Facilities – Allan Brooks Nature Centre   

“The Allan Brooks Nature Centre studio was a great place to create work and spend time. It is spacious and has good lighting, good ventilation with the windows open, and lovely views! It is a very quiet place which gave me what I needed to make my work.”

Community       

“I had a very positive experience in the Greater Vernon community. I spent a lot of time walking, hiking, and on the bicycle exploring the city and surrounding areas. I used the wonderful library, and swam several times a week at the pool. I met people through the Caetani events (concerts, gallery opening, artist talk), and evevnts at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.”

Overall Experience         

“I feel so lucky to have participated in this residency, and am extremely grateful to the staff at the Caetani Cultural Centre and the Allan Brooks Nature Centre, for your support and assistance, which has been so encouraging to me and has given me great strength and confidence in my work. I would highly recommend this artist residency.”

Anna & Peter Glynn & Dalmazzo (Fresh AIR Artists, Australia)

Residential Accommodations – Caetani House 

“The accommodation was very comfortable and well thought out with nearly everything you could need!”

Studio Facilities – Allan Brooks Nature Centre   

“The Allan Brooks Nature Centre was a great place to be – very friendly and enthusiastic.”

Community       

“Because we put a call out to the community for our project, we had fabulous contact with different people. Our experience was wonderful and continues.”

Overall Experience         

“We had a very creative and fulfilling time exploring the area and gathering sounds from across the landscape and experimenting with certain aspects of our project.”

Additional Comments  

“We thank everyone involved – a great program especially the collaboration between the Caetani Cultural Centre and the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.”

 

Paul Roux (Fresh AIR Artist, California)

“I was able to get a whole lot of work done and am very grateful for the opportunity to visit your wonderful part of the world. Thank you to all who were and are involved.”

Residential Accommodations – Caetani House 

“The accommodation was great and ample.”

Community       

“Through the staff, I was exposed to the rich creative community in the area.”

Overall Experience         

“The overall experience was wonderful. I feel that this was largely because of the stellar input from the staff, which went out of their way for me on several occasions and also facilitated contact with the creative community through their own circle of friends. Thank you Caetani Centre for a wonderful experience and for having me. I am very grateful.”

Tracey Nearmy (Fresh AIR Artist, Australia)

Residential Accommodations – Caetani House 

“The accommodation was fantastic and I was very comfortable in the wonderful Sveva Suite with the garden offering a nice space to collect thoughts and ponder.”

Studio Facilities – Allan Brooks Nature Centre   

“Although my work was predominantly computer based, I really enjoyed working from the Allan Brooks Nature Centre studio and meeting everyone who was working there. The support given by Aaron Deans and the other staff was so valuable to the project.”

Community       

“I had a very positive experience working with the Vernonites. Everyone was very open to the project, helpful, and welcoming. I wouldn’t have been able to complete the work without so much community support.”

“The community is great, really hospitable with lots of people showing us around, inviting us for meals and activities.”

“Having the Caetani Centre and the Allan Brooks Nature Centre behind me gave great access to the community and opened doors which I doubt I would have been able to do in such a short space of time on my own.”

Overall Experience         

“I had a wonderful time meeting the people of Vernon, experiencing the Okanagan and staying at the Caetani Centre. The residency gave me the space, time and opportunities to produce work and develop ideas that I’ve been wanting to create but have been unable to up until now. I’m looking forward to exhibiting my work further and developing the ideas.”

“The staff did a fantastic job promoting my work and making sure I had everything I needed.”

Additional Comments  

“I am really grateful and honoured to have been given this opportunity and would like to thank the Caetani Centre and the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for running a great program.”

Kazuko Kizawa (Fresh AIR Artist, Japan)

Community       

“It was nice to meet the Vernon Art community and Japanese -Canadian community.”

Overall Experience         

“I met lots of people in Vernon. It was really nice.”

“It was great to have many opportunities to capture various images of water during my stay.”

Rick Cepella (Fresh AIR Artist, Powell River, British Columbia)

“I enjoyed the many unanticipated and pleasant experiences that came my way, especially getting to know a variety of local creative.”

Residential Accommodations – Caetani House 

“The accommodations were really, really great. A most comfortable place to return to after a heavy day of arting.”