We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect summer staff than the lovely people who joined us for the 2024 season. For five months, they cooked, cleaned, crafted, organized, and so much more to make the residency experience seamless for all who visited our campus. We sat down with each of them to learn more about their background, favorite summer memories, and future plans.

Olivia Propeck, Housing Coordinator

A recent ceramics grad from the Maine College of Art & Design, Olivia has been immersed in ceramics for years. She cites photography and pottery classes in high school as the starting point for her love of the arts. Their current ceramic work explores sexuality and domesticity through sapphic motifs like violets, carabiners, and oat milk. Olivia’s painstakingly detailed designs have landed them commissions from local Maine businesses like Soleil and Bard Coffee.

Olivia spent the summer at Watershed as the self-proclaimed “Cabin Captain.” In addition to being the residency liason’s right-hand man, they spent hours making sure residents’ stays were clean and comfortable. 

Being freshly out of the academic setting, Olivia says that Watershed was the perfect place to heal from creative burnout. They loved meeting and collaborating with the dozens of artists who visited Watershed, learning new processes and perspectives to incorporate into their own work. Olivia’s favorite memories were made while stargazing and sharing meals on the back deck of the Commons.

Olivia has an exciting year of clay opportunities lined up now that her time at Watershed has come to a close. They’ll travel to L.a. Studio, Red Lodge Clay Center, and Running With Scissors Studios over the coming months for residencies. You can follow along with their creative pursuits on their Instagram.

Chris “Mitch” Mitchell, Studio Assistant

Mitch grew up in South Portland, Maine before pursuing a BFA in studio arts from Keene State College and a post baccalaureate degree from Hartford University. In addition to holding various studio tech positions, he worked as welder and mold-maker up and down the East Coast before moving back to his home state for a summer position at Watershed. His ceramic work is a unique amalgamation of found and 3D-printed objects that he collages together to create an abstract landscape of a sculpture.

As the studio assistant, Mitch spent the summer keeping Watershed’s facilities in good shape. His boundless energy and technical know-how kept the equipment in the Windgate Studio in pristine condition.

Mitch loved spending the summer connecting with ceramicists from all over the world. He particularly enjoyed the Digital Clay residency, swapping digital fabrication tips with the residents. He says he took pride in being a part of improving Watershed’s beautiful studio space.

Mitch is now working at Harvard Ceramics in a work exchange position. He plans to continue his ceramic endeavors through pursuing grad school in the coming years. You can keep up with Mitch on his Instagram.

Emmett Jorgensen, Assistant Cook

Like Olivia, Emmett graduated from the Maine College of Art & Design this past spring with a BFA in ceramics. His work was recently featured in Taking Shape, an exhibition in Watershed’s Barkan Gallery. Emmett’s clay creations are characterized by their saturated colors and alternative methods of building. He explores themes of queer identity and coming-of-age in his work.

Emmett’s summer was spent in the kitchen, helping head cook Melissa make hundreds of meals for residents and campus visitors. He loved the slow, peaceful ambience on campus, as well as access to the studio without the stress of external, academic pressures. He’s proud to leave Watershed as reigning checkers champion of the summer staff.

You can follow along with Emmett on his Instagram.

Melissa Lindner, Head Cook

Currently based in New Orleans, Melissa has worked in kitchens for the past eight years before making her way to Watershed for the summer. Her past cooking positions have often focused on food and mental health. She says the kitchen is her main creative outlet, a passion sweetened by getting to nourish others. 

Aside from cooking, Melissa loved pouring creative energy into learning ceramics this summer. The medium was new to her and filled her free time, along with yoga, paddle boarding, and plenty of walks with her black lab, Ruth. Melissa loved experiencing Maine’s seasons with her wonderful coworkers.

Melissa’s next plans include developing a website to engage others in her love of food and mental health advocacy. Until then, you can reach her (and ask for recipes from the summer) on her Instagram.

Josephine Diehl, Residency Liaison

Josephine says clay has been “the most constant thing in [her] life.” After graduating with a degree in advertising during the height of the pandemic, she found herself drawn to clay communities across the world. Josephine solo traveled to Asia, Africa, and South and Central America, finding a love for arts administration during her time as a studio tech at the Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center.

As the residency liaison, Josephine’s days were filled with making sure every part of our residents’ stays was seamless, from arrival to departure. She also organized the incredibly successful reverse raffle for Salad Days.

Josephine’s favorite moments of the summer were spent with her fellow summer staff, who she proudly calls “jewels of humans.” She relished in the laughter, creativity, and community that every new residency session brought to Watershed. Outside of work, you could find Josephine practicing yoga on the patio every morning and experimenting with terra sigillata in the studio. Her ceramic work was heavily influenced by Maine’s botanicals, and she spent the summer capturing nature in clay.

Josephine’s next adventure will take her back to Asia to continue pursuing her passion in arts administration and ceramics. You can follow along with her journey on her Instagram.

Shannon Renner, Dining Coordinator

Before making their way to Maine, Shannon spent years developing their ceramics practice. Based in Cincinnati, she also has years of experience with styling and creative directing editorial shoots for TITLE, a fashion magazine. Her creative work––which ranges from painting to photography to ceramics––often centers around femininity and religious motifs. They love to disrupt gender roles through art.

While at Watershed, Shannon was responsible for keeping the new Commons building in tip-top condition for residents. Rumor has it the Session III residents dubbed her the “Squeaky Clean Dish Queen.”

Shannon spent the summer refining her wheel throwing and making clay jewelry. They loved immersing themself in the natural wonders around Watershed, spending the summer swimming, star gazing, and sketching in the woods. Their favorite dining coordinator duty was gathering fresh flowers each week to display in the Commons.

Shannon’s next big plans include a residency at Fish Factory in Iceland. Keep up with their creative pursuits on their Instagram.

Summer has officially given way to fall and Watershed is winding down after an incredible season. In addition to our annual Salad Days fundraising event, we hosted six residency sessions. These residencies brought roughly 100 artists from all over the country and world to Watershed, filling our campus with so much light, art, and community. Take this moment to reflect, with gratitude, with us on a summer of connection and creativity.

Session I: Embodied Perception, June 3-14

Our first residency began, fittingly, as lilacs, hydrangeas, and other early-summer flora bloomed around campus. Embodied Perception immersed artists in the natural environments surrounding them. Artists’ processes were guided by mindfulness, sensory engagement, and site-specific work. Residents took part in “forest bathing,” an immersive meditation experience, in Watershed’s forests. Many collected natural elements like grass and pinecones to imprint in their work, while others created outdoor installations around the studio.

Organized by: Bonita Kline & Marilyn Perry, with participating artists Jeff Downing, Hana Balaban-Pommier, Gilly Lugo, Sara Fine-Wilson, Claire Resnick, Clarissa Yeap, Mireille Perron, Leslie Gomez-Gonzalez, David Vuong, Hannah Langer, Melanie Zurba, Stephanie Martin, Emily Geaslin, and Charlotte Smith.

Session II: Digital Clay, June 17-28

For just under two weeks, the Windgate Studio was transformed into a whirring, beeping hub of machinery. This residency combined the artistry of clay with technological play, utilizing equipment like 3D printers and modeling programs to create work. Residents worked with each other to share codes, software, and troubleshooting advice. The result was a session full of collaborative hybrid work in a rapidly developing branch of ceramics and digital fabrication.

Organized by: Tasha Lewis, with participating artists Eliza Au, Jackie Brown, Mark Meier, Audrey An, Bryan Czibesz, Wade MacDonald, Matthew Glaysher, Charles Smith, Stacy Jo Scott, Ellen Schon, Ike Lobel, Nik Putnam, Jennifer Masley, Fallon Navarro, Julianna Dougherty, and Ryan Yu.

Session III: Red-Handed, July 1-12

Watershed was delighted to welcome back 2024 Salad Days Artist Jeremiah Ibarra to co-organize a residency with Tom Doyle. The pair lead their session in exploring themes of humor and light-heartedness through the medium of red clay. The resulting work was refreshingly playful and cheery. Artists crafted scenic tiles, grocery list mugs, cartoonish illustrations, and word scramble letters. Several artists even extended their stay to give demos or volunteer at Salad Days!

Organized by: Tom Doyle & Jeremiah Ibarra, with participating artists Alex Ferrante, Kyla Culbertson, Kat West, Meg Howton, Emily Woo, Emma Posey, Jasmine Peck, Arista Wilson, Peter Barbor, Sam Block, Ingrid Yen, Hilary Kahrl, Emily Rensink, Teresa Cervantes, and Jesse Baggett.

Session IV: Beautiful Community, July 22-Aug 2

The Beautiful Community residency was made up of a diverse group of artists, many of whom had ties to community colleges. Residents explored ways of integrating community engagement in their creative work, while also considering how identity and culture can impact one’s art. This group was marked by their many discussions both inside and outside the studio, as well as their interaction with the local community around Watershed. Many artists ventured off campus to swim at beaches, dine at restaurants, and visit local art galleries.

Organized by: Trisha Kyner, with participating artists Morel Doucet, Mary Watson, Nadia Lezcano, Mario Mutis, Wesley Brown, Marina Kuchinski, Gena Mavuli, Chiedza Pasipanodya, Hayun Surl, Suhn Lee, Ari Zuaro, Devishi Seth, Carolina Marin, Andrea Garcia, Lupe Najar, and Jade Lynn-Lewis.

Session V: Cross Pollination, August 5-16

If we had to describe the penultimate residency of the summer in one word, it would be symbiosis. Inspired by the interconnectedness of botanical ecosystems, the residents of Cross Pollination focused on forming friendships in addition to pottery. Residents organized demos for each other and crafted several collaborative ceramic works. The group organized an outing to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, drawing inspiration from Maine’s beautifully diverse ecology. Rumor has it the residents are organizing a reunion trip to this year’s NCECA conference together!

Organized by: Audry Deal-McEver & Martha Grover, with participating artists Dawn Candy, Dawn Dishaw, Jenn Cole, Sarah Pike, Lindsay Rogers, Indigo Cristol, Beatriz Chachamovits, Jackie Matelski, Falon Mihalic, Molly Cantor, Olivia Avery, Shelby Reed, Jenny Nakao, Talia Silva, Devon Eckert, and Hannah Slagell.

Session VI: Queering Mud, August 19-30

Summer residencies wrapped up at Watershed with Queering Mud, a residency by and for artists who identified as queer and/or trans. Organized by Etty Anderson, this residency was meant to provide queer ceramic artists with a welcoming physical space to create together. Residents organized movie nights, square dancing lessons, and several trips to local swimming holes.

Organized by: Etty Anderson, with participating artists Marina Lespérance Lopez, Marie Foxall, Kasia Sosnowski, Mika Haykowsky, Koda Sokol, Bea Willemsen, Juno Viero, Molly Smith, Kelsey Waldron, Bridget Langholz, Knaide Rosenberg, Hannah Apuzzo, Julien Birch, Taylor Callaway, Leo Minsky, Bradley Powers, and Deanna Wong.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with every artist who helped shape the 2024 residency season. Plans for next year’s residencies are underway with more details coming this fall. Sign up for Watershed’s e-newsletter to receive the 2025 session announcement.

Get to know Jeremiah Ibarra, Watershed’s 2024 Salad Days Artist-in-Residence, as he talks about craft, cartoons, and cultivating opportunities for future generations of artists.

Background

Jeremiah Ibarra is from Texas, but, despite his assertions that he hasn’t traveled much, he’s  worked all over the U.S. He traces his start in clay back to his hometown, San Angelo, where he grew up watching and participating in a biennial ceramics competition. After receiving an MFA from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Ibarra participated in residencies in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and beyond. It is to Watershed’s great delight that he ended up in Newcastle, Maine for the better part of a year. 

During his seven-month stay, Ibarra tackled long nights and weathered Maine’s infamous winter storms. The culmination of his hard work is represented by the nearly 500 plates he meticulously crafted for this year’s Salad Days.

Design & Process

Looking at Ibarra’s plates, one would have to assume he’s a dog fanatic. His designs feature hundreds of wagging tails, floppy ears, and furry paws, each one unique and carefully sketched onto pastel backgrounds. But it wasn’t canine-craziness that drove this decision. “I’m not obsessed with dogs or animals or anything like that,” says Ibarra. “I was trying to find something that I wouldn’t mind drawing a lot of. I needed something with variety so that it wouldn’t feel like it was becoming too stagnant for myself.” Ibarra also notes that he wanted to appeal to a large audience with his plates, and “dogs are one of those things that most people like.”

This residency provided Ibarra with the opportunity to develop ideas into material objects and push the boundaries of his practice. In particular, he focused on exploring the relationship between illustration, familiarity, and nostalgia. If you look closely, you’ll find a handful of cartoon canines mixed in with his realistic breeds. “This way of drawing is something that’s been on my mind for a while,” says Ibarra. “This residency with Watershed was an opportunity to figure out and hone in on this skill and this process. That’s been the main driving force.” Ibarra’s stay at Watershed presented him with space and time for experimentation and play. 

“This way of drawing is something that’s been on my mind for a while,” says Ibarra. “This residency with Watershed was an opportunity to figure out and hone in on this skill and this process. That’s been the main driving force.”

To the next Salad Days Artist-in-Residence, Ibarra emphasized the importance of planning ahead when undertaking such an exciting, lengthy project. He also really encourages his successor to engage with local Mainers. “Not just for the sake of keeping your sanity, but there’s a really great community here. I think my younger self would be fine staying in the studio alone all the time, but as I’ve gotten older I feel that community-building is really more of what it’s about.” 

Takeaways

Having participated in multiple residency programs, Ibarra is no stranger to the bittersweet mix of emotions that comes with a goodbye. He notes that he’ll miss the boundless access to a space as large and unique as Watershed’s Windgate Studio. 

Ibarra was very deliberate in how his work would interact with the tradition of displaying illustrated, commemorative plates. “A lot of those objects aren’t meant to be used—they end up sitting on a cabinet or a shelf,” says Ibarra. “I’ve tried my best to make sure that these plates are functional. It’s rewarding whenever I can see my work being used and holding up over time. The goal is to not only have these plates live in the legacy of the artists who have done this before me, but also have them do what they’re meant to do: help these programs grow at Watershed.” He hopes that everyone who purchases one of his plates at Salad Days finds joy, practicality, and connection in his designs. 

“The goal is to not only have these plates live in the legacy of the artists who have done this before me, but also have them do what they’re meant to do: help these programs grow at Watershed.”

When asked for his final reflections, Ibarra says: “This time that I’ve had here has been really special. I’m excited to see how Watershed grows in the coming years. There’s a lot of big changes happening, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

David S. East

EDGECOMB – The Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that David S. East will be joining the organization as its new Executive Director in June 2024. East comes to Watershed with over 20 years experience as a ceramic artist and educator, 15 of which, in a leadership role. East’s work includes an arts practice, education, curatorial work and writing as well as a long and varied involvement with Watershed. 

Currently, serving as the Faculty Advisor of Ceramics at the Maryland Institute College of Art, David S. East has taught and been a visiting artist at numerous locations including University of Missouri-Columbia, Alfred University, Kansas City Art Institute, and the Tainan National College of Art, Taiwan. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including in the GICBiennale Incheon, Korea, solo exhibitions at the Jane Hartsook Gallery, Greenwich House Pottery, NY, NY, Schulman Project, Baltimore, MD and many others. He has received numerous awards including, Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Lighton Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation.

On behalf of the Watershed Board of Trustees, Lynn Duryea, Watershed Founding Trustee expressed, “We are thrilled to have David S. East step into the role of Watershed’s Executive Director. David brings years of administrative and educational experience and a deep understanding of the field of ceramics. He has first-hand knowledge of Watershed, as past staff member, resident artist and an Advisor to the Watershed board. David is the ideal person to help guide our mission and programming as we embark on our next chapter with expanded facilities.”

David S. East is engaged in a thoughtful onboarding process in collaboration with Sadie Bliss, Watershed’s Interim Executive Director. The two dedicated and experienced leaders will work side-by-side for six weeks in Summer 2024 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. During 2024, Watershed leadership, staff and board look forward to an inspiring summer residency season, the annual Salad Days event also serving as a celebration of Watershed’s new Commons building, the fall residency partnership with the Color Network, many workshops and kiln firings. The campus transformation led by past Executive Director Fran Rudoff has paved the way for year-round programming, which Watershed is poised to bring to life; expanding and offering more time and more space to artists working in clay.

David has a long history with Watershed; he has attended three residencies, served as an advisor to the board 2014 – 2017, has worked in various service functions over the years and was the cook and co-residence manager in 1995. As he prepares to step into his next role of Executive Director, David shares, “Watershed is singular amongst ceramic arts and residencies centers. Its focus, on the potential of dialogue, on community, and on the singular impact of time and space and its role in expanding creativity is profound. I am humbled and so excited by the opportunity to serve Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. Watershed has changed and enriched the lives of so many, including my own, and I am thrilled to carry this work forward.”

David will join Watershed as Director in June. He, with his wife Catherine, a textile designer and artist, and son, Ronan will make the move to Maine from New York City this summer.

TCN group 2022

2024 NEA / TCN PRESS RELEASE

Press Release: for immediate release
Contact: Sadie Bliss, Interim Executive Director, director@watershedceramics.org
Watershed Center for the  Ceramic Arts
Office: (207) 882-6075 | 103 Cochran Road, Edgecomb, ME 04556

National Endowment for the Arts Grant Supports Partnership Between Watershed Ceramics & The Color Network

EDGECOMB – This September, twelve artist participants from The Color Network’s mentorship program will gather in person for a two-and-a-half-week residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts’ newly renovated 54-acre campus in Edgecomb, Maine. Watershed and The Color Network (TCN) are partnering for a third time to host an artist residency focused on mentor-mentee relationship building among artists of color who work in clay.  The session will be funded in part by a $35,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The Color Network  supports and advances ceramic artists of color by creating opportunities for dialogue, networking, professional development and provides visibility and resources. A significant facet of their work focuses on building international mentorship networks among experienced and emerging ceramists. With TCN’s mentors and mentees scattered geographically, most of their connections take place online. Watershed’s facilities and residency structure offer a natural fit for TCN to bring mentorship program participants together in person . Watershed’s residencies, campus and setting foster community building and creative practice, while providing artists with space and freedom to use their time together as they choose.

“I couldn’t have imagined the long lasting positive impact this residency would have on my work and relationships with the mentors and mentees” shared George Rodriguez, a 2022 Watershed resident and TCN co-organizer. “Everyone brought in their unique perspective, skills, and lived experiences to the studio.  We collaborated, supported each other in communal kiln firings and discussed life stories over meals. This residency was strong foundational support and care for one another. “

In summer 2021, with support from the NEA,  eleven TCN members gathered at Watershed for the group’s inaugural mentorship residency, which also marked the opening of Watershed’s state-of-the-art Windgate Studio. The TCN residency program took place again in summer 2022 with NEA support and the 2024 program will build on the first two residencies, increasing the length and shifting from an invitational process to a juried process. 

Prior to gathering at Watershed,  the mentor-mentee pairs have established connections with one another online, but often meet for the first time in-person at Watershed.  The selected group of twelve has never gathered together until they arrive on campus.  During their time together, artists keep  long hours in the studio while making strides in their work. TCN residents share that their conversations and collaborations engender a comfortable ease that enlivens their creative practices and connections, as described by April D. Felipe, a TCN co-founder and Watershed 2021 resident.

“The  residency provided us with the gift of time, enabling us to not only learn from our mentors but also to engage with our mentees, gaining insight into the minds of upcoming artists in our field. Access to this focused time and space allowed us to move beyond the superficial, fostering deep relationships and learning from each other as both artists and individuals.  It’s such a gift to be able to step outside of your everyday world and embrace this microcosm of wonderful artists.“

Like many art centers, Watershed’s programs are funded through a mix of donor support, grants, and direct fees paid by participants. The Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) award from the National Endowment for the Arts will cover the cost of every TCN artist’s residency, removing a significant financial barrier to participation. 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to receive National Endowment for the Arts funding for this program for a third time and it shows the importance of mentorship in the craft field, as well as, mentor-mentee relationships between artists with shared identities. Our ongoing partnership and work with TCN deepens and expands with each year in no small part thanks to the NEA and we are grateful for this critical funding.” – Sadie Bliss, Watershed Interim Executive Director.

“The residency at Watershed organized in partnership with The Color Network was a unique opportunity to develop relationships with like-minded artists at all stages of their careers. Having two weeks of time in a focused, pastoral environment – withdrawn from the pressures of regular life – provided the freedom to foster burgeoning ideas and plant new ones. Artists who are just starting out on their journey get irreplaceable time to glean wisdom from elders in our field.” -Magdolene Dykstra, a TCN co-organizer and 2022 Watershed resident.

Artists are encouraged to subscribe to TCN’s and Watershed’s email newsletters to receive notification when the residency application is released this spring.  More information on The Color Network can be found at thecolornetwork.org and information on Watershed’s residency, workshop, and educational programs is available at watershedceramics.org.

NEA GAP awards reach communities in all parts of the country, large and small, from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. In 2024, there are 1,288 organizations recommended to receive grants totaling more than $32 million. 

National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD said, “The NEA is pleased to announce these grants, all of which strengthen our nation’s arts sector in different ways. Whether it’s the creation of new art, opportunities for the public to participate and engage in the arts, or work to better understand the impact of the arts, these grants contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities, help meet the challenges of our time, and build towards a future in which all people can lead artful lives and reach their full potential.”

As we begin a new year, Watershed’s Board is pleased to welcome two new trustees into the fold as we bid a grateful farewell to three board members who have provided their talents, guidance and insights over many years. 

New Trustee Janna Longacre brings decades of experience as an artist and educator to the Board. Janna uses clay, along with manufactured and found materials, to create sculptures and installations that shift the viewer’s perception through abstract narratives. For 47 years, Jana has taught at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she developed courses that provide opportunities for students to study in Cuba, Vietnam, and Brazil. Her most recent course, Objects that Change Lives, addresses problems and solutions related to food, water, sustainability, health, and shelter. 

Janna earned a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from the University of Michigan. She has exhibited nationally and has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artist Foundation. Her work has been published in Art in America, American Ceramics, Sign of the Times, New York Times, and Boston Globe. 

Incoming Trustee John Mullaney is a retired philanthropy and nonprofit executive who has spent most of his professional career helping diverse organizations craft, articulate, and implement their missions. In his capacity as director of a private foundation, he guided a variety of nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to address complex policy issues. Prior to his 21 years in philanthropy, John held a variety of roles at the Institute for International Development and the Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities at Harvard University. He has had the honor of working for local and state-wide constituents while serving on numerous boards. 

John holds an MA from Georgetown University and completed his undergraduate education at Boston College. His ceramics credentials consist of one adult education course at Merrymeeting Adult Education and YouTube University. He looks forward to the day he succeeds in throwing a cup on a wheel. He remains an ardent fan of those who can and is honored to be in a position to help artists succeed.

Trustees who completed their terms of service at the end of 2023 include Beth Ann Gerstein, John Smith, and Sharon Townshend. John joined the board in 2022 upon moving to Maine’s midcoast, bringing valuable insights from his previous work as Director of the RISD museum. Beth Ann and Sharon have each served on the Watershed Board for decades, stewarding the organization through numerous changes and developments. Beth Ann joined Watershed’s advisory board in 2001, became a trustee in 2003, and served as Secretary and subsequently Vice President. She is currently Executive Director of the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA. Sharon first joined the Watershed Board in 1997 and has held a variety of positions during her tenure, including Secretary, Vice President, and Co-President. She maintains an active studio practice and will continue her board work with TEMPOart in Portland, ME. We are so grateful for Sharon and Beth Ann’s long-standing leadership, commitment, and vision that has shaped Watershed’s present and future! 

See a full list of Watershed Trustees and Advisory Council members.

Watershed’s Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that Sadie Bliss has stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director. In this capacity, Sadie will support ongoing programming, operations, and fundraising through the transition to a new permanent executive director in 2024. 

Sadie is a long-time Watershed peer, supporter, and former Salad Days coordinator (back when the event was held in the front yard of Thompson Hall!). A seasoned leader, she served as Executive Director of the Maine Crafts Association (MCA) for over ten years, leaving that role in 2022. She brings strong arts administration experience and a deep dedication and connection to Maine, craft artists, and the organizations serving our thriving creative communities. 

“I am excited to join Watershed at this pivotal time and am thrilled to support an organization I’ve long known and admired for their mission and vision,” shared Sadie. “As I get to know the staff, board, beautiful campus, and incredible facilities, I look forward to bringing programs and events to life between now and next summer. 

I hope you will join me in contributing to Watershed’s growth and success by making a donation to our annual appeal, attending Salad Days (7/13/24), or applying for a residency – it will be incredible to see all of you here!”

As an experienced executive-level arts administrator, Bliss has dedicated her career to nurturing mission driven and fiscally thriving organizations. She is committed to empowering staff; contributing to diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming systems and cultures; and creating new opportunities for connection and growth.

Sadie grew up in rural New Hampshire – the daughter of a self-employed ceramic artist. She earned a Masters Degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and became the Executive Director of MCA in 2012 after working for the organization since 2009. Prior to her time at MCA , Sadie served as Director of artSTRAND gallery in Provincetown, MA and managed CraftBoston, the Society of Arts and Crafts’ annual contemporary craft show.

Additionally, Sadie co-founded and directed Co.7, a gallery, studio, and event space in Portland, Oregon. She has worked with the Maine Arts Commission, The Mayor of Boston’s Office of Arts,  and The Boston Center for the Arts, facilitating public art programming and conducting market research. While in Boston, Sadie lived and worked as a studio artist at The Distillery, where she organized open studio events, and collaborated with Rope-a-Dope poetry and printmaking press.

When she isn’t at Watershed, Sadie can be found skiing and snowboarding, at an ocean or lakeside beach, or enjoying the arts, community, and restaurants in Portland with her husband Loc and two children, Marvin and Juno.

“Attending a residency at Watershed created a truly once in a lifetime experience for me. I came to better understand my own practice and created a network with so many truly inspiring artists. I was able to talk to them about my future goals and ideas and learn from them. It was truly incredible.”

-Jillian Blackwell, 2023 Summer Resident Artist

As Maine’s maple and oak leaves begin to show off their fiery fall hues, we find ourselves looking back on a most memorable residency season. Eighty-three artists joined us from around the country and world, bringing with them fresh ideas and perspectives. We feel so grateful for the creative energy and spirit they brought to our community during their brief time on campus. The following photos and synopses capture moments from each of our remarkable 2023 sessions.

Clay in the Expanded Field: May 22-June 2

We kicked off the ‘23 residency season with the wonderful Clay in the Expanded Field cohort. Artists brought their cross-disciplinary experiences with installation, painting, performance, fiber, and temporal work to bear in a rich exchange that explored clay’s role contemporary art-making. The group bonded instantaneously and spent their session experimenting with other materials in conjunction with clay, exploring different firing techniques, and finding inspiration in Maine’s natural environment.

Organized by Emily Bayless and Britny Wainwright, participating artists in the session included Jillian Blackwell, Clare Burson, Ashley Campbell, Brandi Lee Cooper, Katie Coughlin, Meredith Habermann, Jillian McEvoy, Claudia Morales, Kelly O’Briant, Ana Popescu, Taylor Shantz, Mingxuan Tan, Kirstin Willders, Renqian Yang, and Jax Yao.

Building Resilience: June 5-16

This residency provided an opportunity for participants to reimagine environmental resilience in their communities and creative practices. The artists worked alongside one another while discussing ways to develop more sustainable relationships with the limited natural resources needed to make their work.

On the first day, nearly half the group found they were reading the same book: Braiding Sweetgrass. Their lively discussions and exchanges began in earnest and continued as they explored personal and collaborative projects while sharing challenges and ideas. The group also ventured offsite to dig wild clay and even processed some samples from Watershed’s back yard.

These fabulous makers also teamed up with us to create delectable dinners in the Watershed kitchen when our cooking staff was in flux – a big shout out to Elysa Rose-Coster for taking the lead on meals!

Organized by Holly Hanessian and Anna Metcalfe the session cohort included Julia Galloway, Tsehai Johnson, Rachael Marne Jones, Bradley Klem, Geno Luketic, Kasia Zurek-Doule, Elysa Rose-Coster, Sin-ying Ho, Anna Troszkiewicz, Jen Roos, Deborah Reichard, Molly Haynes, Charlotte Middleton, and Rose Robinson.

Embracing Change: June 19-30

For many of us, the past several years have been marked by considerable uncertainty due to political, cultural, environmental, and social challenges, as well as personal transitions. This session offered space to explore how creative practice is influenced by periods of significant change. The artists spent a fruitful week together in the studio but their second week was cut short due to a COVID outbreak. True to the session theme, participating artists graciously rolled with this unforeseen challenge. We hope to reconnect with them again under more favorable conditions! 

Organized by Frank Pitcher and JoAnn Schnabel the session included participating artists Joe Bova, Linda Casbon, Christine Caswell, David East, Michael Foerster, Andrea Kliffmiller, Jim Lawton, Mary Lynagh, Nancy Selvin, Jane Shellenbarger, Holly Walker, Stephen Robison, Knaide Rosenberg, Reese Seigfried, and Jason Starin.

Research & Practice: July 24-August 4

During this session, artists divided their time between sharing ways they approach the investigations that inform their creative practices and making work alongside one another in the studio. Through whole group discussions and readings, small group conversations, and an informal staging of finished work in the Barkan Gallery, this cohort formed strong bonds and took a holistic approach to exploring their practices.

Organized by Bridget Fairbank, this session’s participating artists included Anne Adams, Amanda Bury, Katie Chin, Rachel de Condé, Lilian Finckel, Neil Forrest, Jennifer Hansen Gard, Danielle Hawk, Adriana Lemus, Samara Yandell, Amélie Proulx, Lindsay Rogers, Andrew Tieman, Alana Wilson, and Alecia Dawn Young.

Collectivity: August 19-30

Our final 2023 summer residency session facilitated opportunities to form creative community during a non-stop two weeks on campus. Seventeen very prolific resident artists made the most of their time in the studio, with folks working at all hours of the day and night. Outside the studio, they fired salt kilns, dug and processed local clay, pit fired work, staged a ‘Pottery Throw Down’ competition, held a karaoke night, and danced late into the evening. Their time together culminated with a spectacular potluck dinner featuring collaborative dishes inspired by the artists’ cultures of origin. The menu included challah, carne asada, gourmet nachos, saffron ice cream and many other sweet and savory treats.

Session guest artists Armando Minjárez, Michelle Im & Raheleh Filsoofi were joined by Shay Gerassy, Frances Iadarola, Alyson Brandes, Mackenzie Pikaart, Lisa Larson-Walker, Jenny Ibsen, Sahar Tarighi, Wendy Eggerman, Abril Robbins, Vani Aguilar, Kiran Joan, Sun Park, Maggie Jones, and Zelda Mayer.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with every artist who helped shape the 2023 residency season. Plans for next year’s residencies are underway with more details coming this fall. Sign up for Watershed’s e-newsletter to receive the 2024 session announcement.