Oliver-Craig Residency Pays $5000.00
Honorable, Dr. Donald H. Oliver established the Oliver-Craig residency which pays $5000.00 annually to ensure young Black artists, poets, graphic artists, and writers have equal access to the beautifully restored Jampolis Cottage overlooking the Minas Basin to provide them with essential time and space for concentrated research, exploration, experimentation and the creation of new work. For Black artists, this rural setting in Avonport offers peace and quiet in an inspiring place and it will be among the first writer/ artist residency programs in Atlantic Canada. Read more on Jampolis Cottage and how to participate in the program below.
Jampolis Cottage is all about sunlight. Originally built in 1794, it was updated by its late owners, Neil Jampolis and Jane Reisman, to admit as much natural light and as many views onto the Minas Basin as possible.
Amenities include wi-fi, laundry, a fully equipped kitchen, and a well-stock pantry, along with a large backyard deck and sixteen windows facing north toward the tidal flats of the Minas Basin. Much of Neil and Jane’s originally chosen artwork and furniture still fills the house, including paintings of cows that Jane collected in honour of their private moniker for the house, “Cowslip.”
Bedrooms include the ground-floor Thomas Raddall Room (with a single bed), which is being renovated into a wheelchair-accessible bedroom; the upstairs Blomidon Room (with a queen bed), featuring five sea-facing windows and a preserved stained-glass window; and the upstairs Cowslip Room (with two single beds and two available cots). Each bedroom is furnished with one or more writing desks.
Writing and gathering spaces include the ground-floor dining and workshop room; the ground-floor reading room with sea-facing bay window; and the upstairs reading room with five sea-facing windows.
Lavatory facilities include the ground-floor bathroom with shower stall, which is being renovated to ensure wheelchair accessibility; the second-floor bathroom with clawfoot tub; and, in summer, an outdoor shower for rinsing off beach sand.
Resident writers’ companions (personal attendants, service animals, and dependents and domestic pets who require care) are welcome to stay at Jampolis Cottage at no additional charge. Because we do not charge a cleaning fee for animal companions, we ask that residents writers make an extra effort to prevent and clean up animal messes both inside and outside the cottage. Cat litter, dog pick-up bags, and pet-specific household cleaning products are provided.
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