Wednesday Cider February 3, 2021 Welcome to the February edition of our Wednesday Cider newsletter. We're wishing warmth and wellness to our VCCA Fellows and friends wherever you are. Today, we happily announced the 2021 winner of VCCA's Wachtmeister Award. We invite you to read about the work of visual artist M. Florine Démosthène, whom we can't wait to welcome to Mt. San Angelo for a month-long residency as part of the award. We're also pleased to announce the newest class of Fellows Council members who are generously dedicating their time, expertise, and energy to VCCA. We look forward to welcoming poet Moira Linehan and interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia to our next virtual Fireplace Series gathering. Plan to join them live at 7:30 p.m. ET a few Thursdays from now on February 18. Our latest Composer Playlist is live on our website for the month of February. Give it a listen to discover music by VCCA Fellows. Writers, visual artists, and composers should know: we're gearing up to open applications on February 15 for a new, expanded cycle of residencies and fellowships at Mt. San Angelo. Apply by May 15, 2021 if you're interested in a residency to take place between October 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022. Keep an eye out for more announcements with more details in the coming weeks. See you again in March for another Wednesday Cider.

2021 wachtmeister award winner

M. Florine Démosthène M. Florine Démosthène has exhibited extensively through group and solo exhibitions in the U.S., Caribbean, U.K., Europe, and Africa. As the 2021 Wachtmeister Award winner, Démosthène will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a month-long residency at Mt. San Angelo. In residence at VCCA, Démosthène will have uninterrupted time and space to focus on her creative work. One project she hopes to pursue is an immersive installation that will incorporate elements of her drawings and paintings. “For this series, I will take on the persona of a warrior heroine whose special powers reside in her ability to harness the cataclysmic energy of her derrière,” writes Démosthène. “The goal of this project is to investigate cultural appropriation through the unveiling of transformative feminine power.” Read our award announcement for a look at Démosthène's artwork and career.

Read the Announcement

vcca fellows council elections

Welcome, New Members The VCCA Fellows Council has elected five new members and one alternate/reserve member: SoHyun Bae Sonja Curry-Johnson Carla Du Pree Cliff Garstang Kimberly Mack Martin Hundley (Alternate) Visit the VCCA website to read a bit about each new member's background and their interests in serving on the Council. The new group met with continuing Council members for the first time this week. "We're thrilled to have this group of talented artists and dedicated leaders working together on behalf of all VCCA Fellows," says Executive Director Kevin O'Halloran.

Meet the New Members

vcca fireplace series

Save the Date for Our Next Virtual Gathering Our Fireplace Series continues later this month on Thursday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Nineteen episodes into this adventure, we welcome poet Moira Linehan and interdisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia. Linehan published two books of poetry in 2020, Toward (Slant Books) and & Company (Dos Madres Press). She will read from & Company. Metaferia will share an excerpt of (Middle) Passage for Dreams, a video art installation project that’s part of her current solo exhibition at NYU’s Gallatin Galleries. Our host for the evening, writer and Fellows Council member Christina Chiu, will facilitate conversation with our guests and live questions from viewers.

VCCA Fireplace Series

In Case You Missed It: Matthew Baker and Sheree Renée Thomas Celebrate the Speculative Thank you to writers Matthew Baker (Why Visit America) and Sheree Renée Thomas (Nine Bar Blues) for reading recent stories and discussing their work with our host David Ebenbach. You can rewatch's the evening readings on VCCA's Facebook page or YouTube channel.

new composer playlist

Listen to Work by Five Fellows

Up for the month of February, our latest composer playlist features: Linda Dusman | Dream Prayer Observatory Rodney Lister | Not to Call Night Larry Bell | 24 Preludes and Fugues nos. 7-12 Eileen Edmonds | The Rains Are Coming Chin Ting Chan | In-Pulse

🎧 Listen

opportunity

Imagine 2200: Climate fiction for future ancestors Fix, the solutions lab of award-winning environmental newsroom Grist, is launching a new short story contest. They’re looking for short stories (3,000–5,000 words) that explore what a just, regenerative future could truly look like. The top three prize winners will receive $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000. Submissions close on April 12.

standing invitations

Look to this comprehensive list of ways to stay virtually engaged with our creative community during VCCA's temporary closure.

Keep in Touch

Fellow Messages: Send us your news. Bookshop Requests: Tell us about your new book release. Composer Playlist: Send us your music. Virtual VCCA: Join our online community platform.

🧡 Stay safe, and be well.

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