top row, left to right : Derrick Doty, Lindsey Drager, Bethany Engstrom, Danielle Fauth, Paige Kaptuch
bottom row, left to right: Melanie Metz, Ruby Hansen Murray, Alex Robinson, Michael Shi, Andy Webster, Stephanie Zelnick
The Volland Foundation is thrilled to bring eleven artist residents to Wabaunsee County in 2023.
Volland will host eleven artist residents across three seasons in 2023! The residents represent several disciplines: sculpture, poetry, music, photography, mixed-media, research, textiles, and prose. The inbound residents were selected from nearly sixty applications by an independent jury.
During their time in Volland, the residents will experience the local culture and ecology, with opportunities to meet countians too. Most artists expressed a genuine interest in rural culture, and they will surely find inspiration from this place and its life ways as they reflect on their work and create. Volland is thrilled to host these exceptional artists.
To encourage a no-pressure setting, Volland will not require residents to host open studios, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they seek an opportunity to share their work. They will likely be around at our programming throughout the year as they also spend time exploring the Flint Hills, so keep your eyes peeled for these temporary residents and help us welcome them to this extraordinary place in Kansas. Meet the residents below!
S P R I N G
(April 18 – May 18; April 18 – May 2; May 4 – May 18)
MELANIE METZ, Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 18 – May 18
As a photographer, Melanie straddles the line between art and social documentary, often focusing on intimacy, fear, technology, politics, and climate change in America’s minority communities. During the trip from Florida to Kansas, Melanie will make photographs along the way, and once here, learn more about the tallgrass prairie. Visit Melanie’s website here
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DANIELLE FAUTH, Denver, CO
April 18 – May 2
Danielle’s practice moves between sculpture, writing and installation. Drawing inspiration from everyday, “typically mundane” objects, Danielle launches discussions of place, time and ephemerality. With two weeks in Volland, Danielle aims to further explore questions about place and time, and experience the unique setting and history. Visit Danielle’s website here
PAIGE KAPTUCH, Grand Junction, CO
April 18 – May 2
Paige is a writer exploring themes of family, land use, feminism, and religion among others. An upcoming featured piece in Runner’s World highlights a woman who grew up in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, left the church, and have since returned to help rebuild her hometown, starting a running club along the way. Visit Paige’s website here
BETHANY ENGSTROM, Belfast, ME
May 4 – May 18
Bethany is a sculptor and installation artist interested in “the spaces and states of being we encounter every day, those residing within philosophy, society, psychology, and pop culture, and the anxieties they produce.” While at Volland, Bethany hopes to expand on two ongoing series revolving around the work of being a mother, an artist, and both. Visit Bethany’s website here
STEPHANIE ZELNICK, Lawrence, KS
May 4 – May 18
Stephanie is a clarinetist and will use time in Volland to focus on two ongoing projects. The first, Clarinet Alone, sees composers from Kansas and Wyoming reflecting on prairie ecosystems. Simultaneously, Stephanie will complete a book project, The Ultra Musician: Air Support and Conditioning for Wind Players from Health Professionals, Scientists, and Endurance Athletes, while in Volland. Visit Stephanie’s website here
S U M M E R
(June 13 – July 11)
DERRICK DOTY, Manhattan, KS
Derrick’s purpose as a music historian is twofold: generate awareness of Kansas’ rich musical heritage and perform well-researched pieces in historic styles on original or replica instruments for audiences. The Volland Residency will provide Derrick time to produce new musical compositions and work on an ongoing book on Kansas’ music history. Visit Derricks website here
LINDSEY DRAGER, Salt Lake City, UT
“Who gets to voice our stories and from where comes that power?” is the central question of Lindsey’s prose. Editing Drager’s fifth novel, a social science fiction allegory exploring “surveillance culture, class mobility, bisexual identity, the art of translation, and Johannes Kepler’s 1608 Somnium,” is the goal for the residency. Visit Lindsey’s website here
ALEXANDRA ROBINSON, Austin, TX
Alex appropriates symbols of American exceptionalism in her art. Regular moves as a result of growing up in a military family have left Alex longing for place and identity. These same feelings are mined in the artist’s work through “the use of Morse code, flag semaphore and the flag form.” While in residence, Alex will work on an ongoing piece, Spanglish. Visit Alex’s website here
ANDY WEBSTER, Penzance, Cornwall, UK
Working across sculpture, performance, moving image and sound, Andy responds to characteristics associated with a particular site, context or discourse. While at Volland, Andy will make a site specific piece, prompting viewers to “reconsider relationships with nature and technology, climate change, the natural environment, habitats and ecologies.” Visit Andy’s website here
F A L L
(September 19 – October 17)
RUBY HANSEN MURRAY, Cathlamet, WA
Ruby’s ties to the Osage Reservation inform her work. She writes in an Osage tradition that includes poetry and prose. At Volland, Ruby will research and identify local plants, insects, and animals that Osages know, with focus on their original names. Visit Ruby’s website here
MICHAEL SHI, Shanghai, PRC
Michael’s photography brings people together. Often highlighting local dancers in his work, his artistic pursuits “capture the subtle gestures and expressions that communicate the depth, beauty, and complexity of human relationships.” This Fall, Michael hopes to collaborate with community members and even Ruby as he continues his latest project. Visit Michael’s website here
