Gladstone House, built in 1889, is Toronto’s oldest operating hotel. For more than two decades, it has been a hub for art and creativity, with art by local artists in public and spaces and guest rooms.

The Art Studio at Gladstone House is a space for creativity and interaction. Located on the Studio Level of the hotel, the Art Studio is a bright, open, 480 square foot room with 3 spaces for resident artists. Since the program started in 2021, we have hosted more than 30 artists in the studio.

  
Gladstone House invites applications for short-term (3 month) visual art or craft residencies. Residencies are self-directed: the artists work on projects of their own choosing. Work may be tied to a project, including preparation for an exhibition or show/sale, or may be for portfolio/practice development.

  
Residencies are 3 months. There is no fee to use the space. Blocks are:

* January 1 – March 31
* April 1 – June 30
* July 1 – September 30
* October 1 – December 31

  
The artist commitment:

In exchange for free use of the space, the artist is expected to:

* work in the studio at least 2 full days or 4 half days per week (Monday – Sunday, mornings, afternoons or evenings). The studio schedule is flexible, however the artist must commit to one regular half day for the duration of the residency (eg. Wednesday afternoon) so that the program can be promoted.
* work in the studio with the door open and engage with hotel guests who visit the space
* contribute to the arts programming of the hotel, by exhibiting work in one of the hotel’s public spaces or rooms, offering a workshop, or some other program or activation agreed upon with the curator, at a reduced fee or no fee. Exhibiting work does not necessarily immediately follow the residency, and if more than one work is exhibited, not all of it needs to have been produced during the residency.

  
Types of media suitable for the space:

The studio is an open space: practices that make regular use of dust-producing, noisy equipment are not a fit. Drills and other small power tools may be used from time to time but should not be a primary part of the artist’s practice. The studio does not have an industrial ventilation system – oil-based paints, turpentine, and varnishes are not permitted. Torches and burners are not permitted. Suitable media include:

* 2D work including drawing, painting (acrylic, tempera or watercolour only), collage, mixed media, illustration, block printing (water-based inks only)
* small scale sculpture (certain materials may not be a fit)
* textiles and fashion (sewing machines and irons are permitted)
* jewellery (wirework, beadwork)
* digital work

  

Free 7-day access to the Studio.

  
The space:

Each artist space is approximately 11×6 feet, delineated by 2 tables (60×30 in and 72×30 in, arranged in a L-shape). A rolling, upholstered task chair is provided for each artist. The space is open – walls do not separate the artist spaces. Three raised worktables for common use are in the middle of the room. The Art Studio is well lit by overhead fluorescent and track lights. It has 3 windows on the west side, which receive light through window wells. The Art Studio is on the Studio Level, one floor below the main floor. It is accessible by stairs only.

  
Gladstone House provides:

* 2 work tables
* task chair
* cabinet
* large raised work tables in the centre of the room for all artists to use
* free WiFi. No access to computers and printers.

  

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