Residents are introduced to the K. Irving Botanical Garden research labs

Artist Barbra Bushey collects specimens from Brewers Pond

Artist Cynthia Farnell inspects a pineapple flower with a pocket microscope

Expedition leader Alyssa Ellis finding Ghost Plants


Residents collect ferns by moonlight for a ritual performance

Residents forage with herbalist Amber Westfal at the Wild Garden.


Residents view specimen at the National Museum of Nature's Herbarium


Residents learn to prepare materials at the bio dynamic Kin Vineyard

Residents visit the Just Food farm to learn about seed saving

Virtual Plant School for Artists
Online, July 2020

Germinate Online Plant Schoolis a two week-long program for artists to learn about the plant kingdom. The virtual residency will involve daily live video lectures with international botanical researchers on a range of plant related topics, one tethered international field trip in your backyard and many short on on one meetings with artists working with plants around the world. Buit in to the 2 or 3 hours of daily programing are discussions, recomended assignments and show and tell. The program is designed to give insight into plant knowledge from a wide range of perspectives.

Ayatana residencies focus on experience and research by visual and conceptual artists. Writers, poets, musicians and dancers are also invited to apply. This residency will host six or seven selected international artists. No previous experience in biology is necessary but a portfolio showing your creative practice is required to apply.

We invite you to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group.

Plant Intelligence & Botanical Sensory Experiences lecture and Q&A

Agricultural Seed Saving: Genetics and Politics lecture and Q&A

Single Celled Photosynthesising Organisms lecture and Q&A

Microscopy Workshop - Look at local wild water samples with your digital microscope (included in residency fee) hooked up to Zoom. A specialist will help us identify and interpret what we see.

Contemporary Artists and Live Plants and Botanical Artist lecture and Q & A

Group remote botanizing field trip. Set up Zoom on your phone, take us with you on your walk. Show us the plants in your area. If you cannot do this try setting up your computer on the deck or balcony, or bringing samples back to the computer, or give us a tour of the plants in your house/studio.

Botanical Poison lecture and Q & A

Medicinal Plants lecture and Q&A

Native gardens vs Invasive species & biocontrol

Plant Magic. Meet a kirilian photographer for an artist talk and plant EEG demonstration.  

Cost:
$500 USD
Residency places are limited to 6 artists. Official invites will be given to accepted applicants to help find grants and funding.

What is included:
All activities.
Some equipment mailed to you, time permitting.

Disclaimer: Those who do not like to talk about plants or art, need not apply.

For more images of past Ayatana adventures see our face book albums

Germinate June 2019, Chelsea, Quebec

Germinate July 2018, Chelsea, Quebec

Germinate Aug 2017, Chelsea, Quebec