Organizer Information
The Women’s Studio Workshop (WSW) is a long-established, artist-run non-profit organization based in Rosendale, New York (USA), dedicated to supporting women and gender-expansive artists working in the printmaking and book arts. Founded in 1974, WSW has developed into a significant international hub for experimental print, papermaking, letterpress, screen printing, and artists’ book production.
WSW operates a fully equipped set of professional studios alongside residency housing, internships, exhibitions, and public programming. Its mission centers on providing access to resources, technical expertise, and collaborative artistic environments, particularly for underrepresented artists in the field of print and book arts. The organization emphasizes both production and education, fostering an active, communal studio culture where artists, interns, and staff work in close proximity.
The Anita Wetzel Residency Grant is established in honor of Anita Lynn Wetzel, a founding figure of WSW whose artistic and personal legacy emphasized generosity, humanism, and a deep connection to nature. This residency reflects her values by prioritizing time, space, and creative independence for mature artists.
Title & Description
Anita Wetzel Residency Grant – Women’s Studio Workshop (WSW)
The Anita Wetzel Residency Grant is a fully funded residency opportunity designed specifically for mature artists aged 45 and above, offering them the rare opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and fully immerse themselves in artistic production.
Selected artists receive a 4–6 week residency at WSW, during which they are provided with dedicated time, studio access, and technical support to develop new work. Artists may work across one or more of WSW’s specialized studios, including:
- Intaglio printmaking
- Letterpress
- Papermaking
- Screen printing
- Darkroom photography
The residency prioritizes artistic experimentation, production, and independent research in a supportive, resource-rich environment. While artists work independently, they benefit from studio orientations, staff check-ins, and optional technical assistance.
This opportunity is structured to support deep creative focus while embedding artists within an active and collaborative studio community that includes exhibitions, public programming, and peer engagement.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Printmaking (Intaglio, Screen Printing, Letterpress)
- Book Arts / Artists’ Books
- Papermaking
- Photography (Darkroom)
- Mixed Media / Experimental Practices
Eligibility
- Open internationally (U.S. and non-U.S. applicants welcome)
- Artists must be 45 years or older
- Women, trans, intersex, nonbinary, and genderfluid artists are eligible (aligned with WSW’s inclusion policy)
- Emerging, mid-career, and established artists are all eligible, with emphasis on mature artistic practice
- Applicants must be able to complete a full residency period (4–6 weeks full-time work)
- Students may apply if their academic program does not overlap with residency dates
- Applicants may apply to multiple WSW residencies (separately per program)
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists receive a fully subsidized residency, including:
- Free housing at WSW’s artist residence
- Free studio access (any eligible WSW studios)
- Weekly stipend: $350 per week
- Up to $500 materials allowance
- Up to $250 travel reimbursement (continental U.S. only)
- Studio orientation and ongoing staff support
- Optional deep technical assistance (available at additional cost: $65/hour)
- Access to communal artistic programming, including talks, exhibitions, and studio events
Additional benefits include integration into a vibrant artistic community, networking opportunities, and exposure to professional print and book arts practices.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Current CV/resume
- Project proposal (max 300 words), including intended studio use(s)
- Up to 10 images of recent work
- Image script including: title, medium, dimensions, and date for each image
- Properly formatted image files (JPG, RGB, 72 dpi, max 2000 px on longest side; named correctly)
- Optional video (max 3 minutes; MOV, MP4, AVI, or MPG formats allowed)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
- Notification of results: July 2026
- Residency duration: 4–6 weeks
- Residency period: Scheduled 1–2 years after acceptance, typically between September and June
Location
Rosendale, New York, United States
Additional Details
- Residents are expected to work independently while engaging in a communal studio environment
- Participation in community events (such as weekly potlucks and monthly artist talks) is encouraged but not mandatory
- No partners, children, or pets allowed (except for the specific paused parent residency program)
- Limited cell reception; Wi-Fi available throughout studios and housing
- Transportation support available (pick-up/drop-off and grocery trips)
- Residents are expected to give a short public presentation during the residency period
The residency emphasizes both solitude and community, balancing focused studio production with structured cultural exchange.