James Hurley, Christy George, Betsy Best-Spadaro, David Nechak

Yesterday was the last full day of the Willapa Bay AiR (Artists-in-Residence) pilot program that took place just down the road apiece.  Today the artists leave to go back to their busy lives in the ‘real’ world.  Except for one shimmering tree, they leave behind little that is tangible, yet I have no doubt that their impact on us and ours on them is incalculable.

It was my privilege, ten days ago, to have dinner with this group of talented artists.  I met them in the Lodge which serves as dining room, gathering place, and general Residency Headquarters of Willapa Bay AiR.  Chef-for-the-Month Jill Trenholm from Ocean Park (and a talented artist in her own right) was in the kitchen preparing dinner and Nina Macheel, Executive Director of the project, was with us as well.

David’s Tree

The artists represented several disciplines – James Hurley, a singer song-writer; Betsy Best-Spadaro, printmaker; Jim Bertolino, poet; Christy George, scholar/environmental journalist; David Nechak, artist.  It is David’s tree installation that remains in the meadow just out of sight and will stay there indefinitely, evolving on its own.

I was there on a quest for information about the facility, the residents, and how this new venture – a longtime dream of Cyndy Hayward’s – was going.  I had asked for an opportunity to meet with the group so that I could write a story (turned in yesterday) for the Observer. And what an enjoyable meeting it was!   Each artist’s enthusiasm and appreciation for this “gift of residency” was palpable.  I hope I captured some of their excitement in my article.

According to their website, Willapa Bay AiR offers: month-long, self-directed residencies to emerging and established artists, writers and scholars. Rotating committees of artists and professionals in their field and discipline select participants from a broad spectrum of creativity – from visual, musical or literary arts to environmental or scientific projects. The Residency provides lodging, meals, and work space, at no cost, to five residents each month from March 1 through October 31 of the year. 

David, Nina and James at Dinner

The Residency is located on sixteen acres of woods and meadows about a ten minute walk south of the Oysterville National Historic District.  Although we knew all through September that the artists were there, we didn’t get a glimpse of them except for one Friday night when they came to the house here and again at their Open House last Saturday.

Having the opportunity to talk with the group over dinner was a rare privilege, indeed.  I felt as though I, too, had been given a special gift.  It’s not every day that I sit down with so many diversely talented individuals and especially not in such a gorgeous and nurturing environment.

I have no doubt that the Residency, when it begins in earnest next Spring, will be hugely successful.  Already, Cyndy has told me, “Willapa Bay AiR has received 250 applications, from 37 states and 12 countries (as far away as Siberia and South Africa).”  In the next few weeks, she and Nina will oversee the difficult process of selecting the 40 residents – five for each month from March through October – who will participate in Willapa Bay AiR’s first full ‘eight-month-year’ in 2014.