Rest and Reprieve: A Window into Creative Solitude, A Benefit for Eighth House Residency, Jan 23 – Feb 22, 2025

CANADA, NY is proud to present Rest and Reprieve: A Window into Creative Solitude, a group exhibition benefitting Eighth House Residency, an interdisciplinary arts program nestled in the forests of central Vermont. Opening January 23, 2025, the exhibition celebrates the vital interplay between solitude and community in an artist's creative journey, with the majority of proceeds directly funding Eighth House Residency’s 2025 program.

Participating artists include: Joan Snyder, Derek Fordjour, Katherine Bradford, Hugo McCloud, Kylie Manning, Qualeasha Wood, Rachel Eulena Williams, Lee Mary Manning, Cindy Ji Hye Kim, Hanna Hur, LaKela Brown, Clifford Prince King, Chiffon Thomas, Xylor Jane, Bony Ramirez, Pedro Troncoso, Jamel Robinson, and Quay Quinn Wolf.

Curated by Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, Managing Partner at CANADA, the exhibition explores the essential balance between stepping away from the demands of constant productivity and reconnecting with one’s inner world. Through a diverse array of works, Rest and Reprieve highlights how periods of creative sabbaticals—whether through intentional retreats or quiet moments of reflection—become fertile ground for innovation and renewal.

Equally important is the role of supportive communities in fostering artistic freedom. The exhibition underscores the collective power of networks that encourage and provide the freedom to explore without constraint.

Participating artists have contributed works that reflect their experiences with creative solitude, intentional rest, or the influence of a nurturing community. Whether these works were born out of a retreat, a pause in their practice, or moments of contemplation, they showcase how rest and rejuvenation fuel creativity.

“Rest and Reprieve invites viewers to reflect on the critical role of intentional stillness in the creative process and the transformative impact of communities that nurture it,” says Christiana Boyle. “This exhibition celebrates the necessity of stepping away to recharge and reimagine, a value deeply embedded in the mission of Eighth House Residency.”

About Eighth House Residency

Eighth House Residency is an interdisciplinary arts program for visual artists, curators, and writers, offering a sanctuary for creative renewal in the tranquil forests of Vermont. Founded in 2021, the residency provides full funding for every participant, covering travel, room and board, materials, and shipping costs. This commitment ensures that financial barriers do not hinder access, making it an inclusive and restorative space for artists.

Eighth House offers participants private cabins with adjoining studios, surrounded by lush forests, meadows, and nearby rivers. The residency builds on the historic legacy of Quarry Hill Creative Community, one of the nation’s oldest intentional communities, founded in the 1960s. It continues this tradition by fostering an inspiring, non-transactional environment where artists can reflect, recharge, and experiment.

The residency’s mission is to provide artists the space to “just be,” encouraging personal development, experimentation, and the cultivation of new ideas. Programs like Eighth House demonstrate the power of intentional stillness to foster profound creativity and innovation.

Why This Collaboration Matters

CANADA New York’s partnership with Eighth House Residency reflects the gallery’s dedication to supporting artist-driven initiatives and addressing critical needs for equity, rest, and sustainability in creative practice. The collaboration champions the importance of spaces where artists can reconnect with themselves and their craft, ensuring that programs like Eighth House thrive.

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