QUEER UP NORTH artist residency is a new initiative and collaboration between The Throbbing Rose Collective and the White Bear Artist Residency in Temagami, Ontario. 

To be held in the Northland Paradise Lodge, on the shore of Snake Island Lake in Temagami, Queer Up North offers fifteen LGBTQI2+ artists-in-residence the opportunity to work, interact and collaborate in the forests and lakes of northern Ontario. The residency will take place August 15 - 30, 2024. The application deadline is June 1, 2024, and results will be announced on June 15th. 

The philosophy of Queer Up North is connected to the subject of “queer ecology” and the questioning of dualities and boundaries. The Throbbing Rose Collective has recently been working with ideas concerning the environment and will offer some programming and discussion related to this theme. However, participants in Queer Up North will be encouraged to explore freely in the artistic medium of their choice. It will be our first residency at this site. We are looking for artists who are not averse to some rough edges and are interested in developing new works and possible collaborations.

Programming options include:

• tours of the White Bear Old Growth Forest,

• local and regional artists’ talks and performances, 

• Temagami Art Gallery visits,

• workshops, outdoor activities and group discussions,

• mentoring and studio visits from critically acclaimed artists and curators. 

The town of Temagami is a 10-minute walk from the lodge and has an art gallery and craft shop, a grocery store, liquor store, outfitters, a burger and ice cream stand, a gas station and restaurant, a convenience store and other shops. There is a craft market on Saturdays. 

The proprietor of the lodge, Doug Adams, was actively involved in protecting the White Bear Forest. A trapper, guide and excellent cook, Adams has owned and operated the lodge since 1985. From August 15 to 30th, 2024, a section of this traditional hunting and fishing lodge will be dedicated to the 15 participating artists, including a large shared studio space, a converted smaller workspace and gallery, and shared accommodations, each with tables and kitchen facilities. Breakfast and dinner are included and will be served in the main lodge. Every unit has a fridge and cooking facilities. 

Following the residency, the Queer Up North artists will be invited to show the work inspired by their experiences and/or created during the residency, curated by Throbbing Rose Collective members and Queer Up North organizers, James Fowler and Pearl Van Geest, along with White Bear Residency representative Dermot Wilson. Confirmed venues include the White Water Gallery in North Bay, Timmins Museum, Ferero House of Art in Mississauga, and Red Head Gallery, in Toronto.  A symposium will be held In North Bay. 

The fee to participate is $500 per artist for the two weeks. Artists should organize their own transportation to and from Temagami if possible. Otherwise pick-up at North Bay can be arranged. Artists must bring their own art-making materials and equipment.

While artists from the Throbbing Rose Collective have confirmed their participation, spaces have been reserved for artists responding to this call. 

To apply for QUEER UP NORTH, please send a 1-page artist statement, biography, samples of past work and/or website and social media links (send all documents in pdf format, please) to: info@throbbingrose.ca

Please contact us before applying if you have any questions.

Deadline: June 1, 2024 at midnight, Eastern Standard Time.

Land Acknowledgement:

The Families of the Temagami First Nation have occupied the lands and waters in the Temagami area as stewards for thousands of years. The Temagami First Nation is the Body Politic of the 800 Teme-Augama Anishnabai, who are presently recognized as Indians under the Indian Act of Canada. The Bear Island Indian Reserve community, which includes 250 permanent residents and the government institutions of the Temagami First Nation, preserves the integrity of Teme-Augama Anishnabai as the stewards of n’Daki Menan. (https://www.trlupnorth.com/territory_acknowledge.html#:~:text=The%20Families%20of%20the%20Temagami,the%20Indian%20Act%20of%20Canada.)

Links:

The Throbbing Rose Collective: https://www.throbbingrose.ca/

The White Bear Artist Residency (part of The Broken Forests): https://www.brokenforests.com/upcoming-events/exhibitions/

Northland Paradise Lodge: https://www.northland-paradise.com/

White Bear Forest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Bear_Forest