Center of Gravity Residency
The Center of Gravity (CoG) Residency was started in 2023, with the acquisition of a small gallery space around the corner from Walkaway House. The annex gallery space is located on Eagle Street in the historic Flatiron Building, also dating back to the 1850s. In 2024, the CoG Residency is expanding to include a new partnership with Installation Space (IS) right across the street. In collaboration with IS’s new owner, artist Pamela Hersch, Walkaway House is proud to host an expanded CoG Residency program, welcoming 2-3 visiting artists per session for public facing residencies in these two neighboring Eagle Street gallery spaces. The galleries themselves will function as working studios, activated by artist residents and may be opened to the public when an audience is desired. Each session includes one public opening celebration to share work with the local community, organized by Walkaway House and sometimes in conjunction with North Adams First Fridays. Residents will be part of a larger cohort of 4-5 artists along with the Tend Artist Residency at Walkaway and have access the same facilities.
How we got here…
Gravity Gallery - The name the Center of Gravity is a nod to our friends and the former owners of Gravity Gallery, Paul McMullan and Lynn Richardson. They put on some amazing shows in the space from 2016 -2023. Their mission was to encourage the appreciation and understanding of art and its role in society through public engagement with original works of art. We are taking that mission and expanding public engagement to the next level where the artist is present, residency style!
Installation Space - Started in 2017 by graphic artist and designer, Anna Farrington, the gallery has featured immersive, interactive, interpretive, and informative art exhibitions on Historic Eagle Street. After a incredible six year run of exhibiting dynamic experimental installation art by regional artists, Anna is handing over the keys to former IS exhibiting artist, Pamela Hersch, who relocated from Boston to North Adams. With Pamela as a new host, the gallery will remain Installation Space but now operate on a visiting artist residency model in conjunction with Walkaway House’s programming. We are eternally grateful to Anna Farrington and her tireless work and generosity with IS and the local North Adams arts community. She has been instrumental in the upward cultural transformation of North Adams and we’re glad to say she will still be a neighbor and advisor to our work.
Victoria Van Der LAAN with her work, along with with Tend Artists Annika Earley and Claire SHerwood
Peter CampBell with his crew for the Hybrid Performance of (Orestes) The Son
Anna CoWley Ford with her exhibition The pain Away Clinic.
Claudine Metrick with her show Cultivate
2024 CoG Residency Sessions
Session 1 : March 25 - April 7 (First Friday April 5th)
FULLSession 2: April 22 - May 5 (First Friday May 3rd)
FULLSession 3: May 27 - June 9 (First Friday June 7th)
OPEN - Gravity GallerySession 4: June 24 - July 7 (First Friday July 5th)
FULLSession 5: July 15 - 28 (opening night TBD)
FULLSession 5.5: July 29 - Aug 11 (First Friday Aug. 2nd)
FULLSession 6: Aug. 19 - Sept. 1 (opening night TBD)
FULLSession 6 .5: September 2 - 15 (First Friday Sept. 6th)
FULLSession 7: Sept. 30 - Oct. 13 (First Friday Oct. 4th)
FULLSession 8: Oct. 21 - Nov. 3 (First Friday Nov. 1st)
FULL
2024 Residency Season
In 2024 we are hosting fourteen two-week CoG sessions with space available at either gallery. Combining two-week periods within one session can easily become 4 week sessions if desired.
Given that the galleries function as storefront studio space, artists have the added possibility of interacting with the public whenever desired by simply “opening shop,” which is optional and not at all expected except for one required public showing of work (certain sessions align with North Adams’ FIRST Fridays). This could be a solo show opportunity, a more casual open studio vibe or even a publicly engaged project. Any and all styles are welcome! Walkaway House will be responsible for First Fridays event integration and provide social media promotion and light refreshments. All other exhibition needs must be provided by the artist. 100% of sales go to the artist.
Artists should be comfortable with solo self-directed time for art making. Depending on the session, CoG artists will arrive on the same schedule as Walkaway sessions or join part way through. All residents are invited to join us for welcome dinners and other gatherings, and have access to Walkaway House facilities.
Applications are currently open and rolling until April 30th. If accepted, spots will be filled on a first come first serve basis.
Collaborative Duo Residencies
CoG residencies are very well suited for collaborative residencies. Inviting a collaborator, partner or fellow artist to join you on your residency can be a nice way to share costs and ensure camaraderie. We define residency "collaborator" as an additional creative practitioner who will be sharing the studio work space in the gallery in an official capacity. This could mean working on the same project or working on two solo practices in the same space and both participating in the public component. Both galleries can be shared, though we recommend the Installation Space due to size.
Family Residencies
Family residencies are very welcome! We are a family-run residency after all, and know how valuable it can be to have the space and opportunity to bring family along for residencies. Keep in mind that while our accommodations are quite well-suited for families, we currently do not have additional funding or childcare support for family residencies beyond providing recommendations for activities, camps and life in the Northern Berkshires with kiddos.
Accommodations and Pricing
NOTE: apartment photos above reflect older furnishings, photos will be updated by March 2024
CoG residents stay in a lovely second floor 3 bedroom apartment located at 205 East Main Street, in short walking distance from the galleries and on the same street as Walkaway House. Residents will share a 3 bedroom apartment with shared kitchen and bathroom. Each resident has their own private bedroom. Collaborative duos and family residencies are also available and arrangements for private use of the apartment can be made (see pricing).
✽ 2 weeks solo at Gravity Gallery (~275 sqft) - $1200
✽ 2 weeks solo at Installation Space (~1100 sqft) - $1500
2 weeks duo at Gravity Gallery
✽ couples bedroom in shared apartment - $1250
✽ 2 private bedrooms, shared apartment - $1250
✽ private 3 bedroom apartment - $1640
2 weeks duo at Installation Space
✽ couples bedroom in shared apartment - $1550
✽ 2 private bedrooms, shared apartment - $1550
✽ private 3 bedroom apartment - $1940
2 weeks Family at Gravity Gallery
✽ private 3 bedroom apartment - $1640
2 weeks Family at Installation Space
✽ private 3 bedroom apartment - $1940
The pricing above reflects the bottom line cost to operate these spaces. We recognize paying these prices may only be feasible for artists with access to their own funding, institutional support or other funding opportunities. If this sounds like you, or even if you want to entertain the idea of finding a grant or crowdfunding, we’d be excited to chat and help out however we can. If you’re looking for something more affordable, we recommend applying for the Tend Artist Residency, where we work hard to keep costs low, residencies subsidized and fellowships available.
Gravity Gallery
The Gravity Gallery is located at 44 Eagle Street, a one way street with a variety of other galleries and shops. The ~275 sqft space is divided into a front and back by partial walls, so it functions as one space with two work areas. There is a bathroom in the space. There is a small window display area that is great for hanging art work or installing a small installation.
Installation Space (IS)
The IS gallery is located at 49 Eagle Street, across the street from CoG. The ~1100 sqft space is equipped with gallery track lighting, a rubberized floor and a bathroom. There are two beautiful storefront window bays, perfect for installations, displays of existing work or even performance. Projection works beautifully inside the space.
