The Helm offers residency opportunities to artists seeking a change in their practice. We do not pay airfare and only cover lodging expenses. We offer an empty, mid-sized room that will function as both a bedroom and a studio. The room includes a bed, a workstation, racks, a stereo, and windows. It is very modest, but we hope it is a place that artists can visit for high intensity, short work periods. The room is in a shared apartment with one bathroom.

The apartment is located two blocks away from a nice coffee shop, an independent theatre and many bars and restaurants. The nearest art supply store is about a ten-minute walk. Tacoma is a forty-five minute bus ride from Seattle.

If you are interested in having a stay as a resident, please contact us via email for more information. Residency will be offered only to artists who display the desire to work while they are here. People interested in vacationing need not apply.

We can’t wait to meet you.

Residents

Gretchen Bennett

Gretchen stayed with us in February of 2008. While she was here she worked on drawings for her show at Howard House entitled “Hello”. She also took some sweet pictures of the surroundings of Sean’s apartment. She certainly left her mark on Tacoma. (I’ll take a picture of Dying Fawn on the front of The Helm soon.)

Caleb Engstrom

Caleb came to town in August of 2008, just in time to tear apart the whale we built for Showcase Tacoma in 2008. As soon as I met him, we put him to work demolishing the thing. It was a bloody shame, but we had fun. After several trips to the cardboard recycling compactor, and two trips carrying wood splintered with nails, we were fast friends.

While he was here, Caleb worked on his Iowa Line Drawing. At the end of his stay, he displayed the drawings at Sean’s house and played a set of music about Iowa. In between his songs he gave interesting facts about Iowa.

Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are 100% formed by water.

Tina Schwarz

Tina is staying with us right now. The paintings she has been working on will be on display tonight. More pictures and info to come soon.