ARTIST RESIDENCY

2019-2022

“The Stevens-Crawford Heritage House (SCHH) is an American Foursquare home built in 1908 by prominent real estate investors Harley Stevens and his wife, Mary Elizabeth. It remained in the family until 1968 when daughter Mertie Stevens passed away, leaving her family home to the Clackamas County Historical Society. Practical construction and craftsman architecture make this home one of the finer dwellings in the city. The house was restored to much of its original Edwardian splendor through donations of furnishings and textiles. A visit to the Stevens-Crawford Heritage House will transfer you back to a Progressive Era of  inventions and innovations. “

In collaboration with the Stevens-Crawford Heritage House, Art in Oregon developed a unique Artist Residency Program where artists inhabit this restored historical landmark. Hosting 3-4 artists annually, selected by application and jury process, the historical Stevens-Crawford Heritage House served as their studio space and research setting. With 24-hour access to all the historic rooms in the house, and use of the downstairs kitchenette, sun porch, and the large surrounding yard, artists created new work informed by the architecture, historical data, and surrounding landscape. Artists concluded the residency with a public group exhibition at the Mary Elizabeth Gallery inside the Heritage House.

Image by resident artist Clairissa Stevens

“The space left a huge impression on me, and I no longer have a desire to do residencies that don’t offer something unique about the space itself. “

-Johnny Beaver, 2021

“The SCHH residency gave me a very different type of studio space, access to a beautiful house as material for my work, and in close proximity to many different forms of nature (The Falls, the trees, etc.)” 

-Paul Trapp, 2020

In situ sketch by resident artist Paul Trapp.

"“The SCHH artist residency has advanced my art practice by giving me deeper connections to the subject matter of my work, including learning new ways to do research and creating new relationships in my community, broadening my perspective for a more inclusive conversation.”

- Quire Hugon, 2021

Image by resident artist Katie Spain.

“My latest body of work combines art, therapy and activism for trauma survivors.  The SCHH AiR program was crucial in advancing my ideas and manifesting the production portion of my proposal. Due to the sensitive content of the subject, I needed a private and quiet space…I valued having a space where I could focus on the project and then close the door at night and allow myself a sense of separation from processing the material. Tammy Jo Wilson and Selena Jones made sure I would not only have the privacy I needed but also made sure I would be comfortable by providing an air conditioner during the hot summer.”

-Beckey Kaye, 2021