Page 4 - Enso Circle Catalog September 2021

INTRODUCTION: THE ENSO CIRCLE
I reread some of the early communications between Lyn and I from 2015 when we first began
planning what would later become The Enso Circle. Back then, I was doing a lot of teaching on the
road and Lyn had created a thriving art center. The original impetus, I think, came from wanting
to continue and expand our collaborative teaching experiences into something more enduring. We
continued to throw around ideas for the next couple of years, while life took us in different directions.
The proverbial window opened when Covid forced us all into quarantine. Separated and isolated in
our studios across town from one another, we had time and energy to design a focused experience
based on connections-creative, collaborative and community—the opportunity we wanted for
ourselves. The Enso Circle Artists Residency was born.
The second term grew unexpectedly last June when a significant number of the first residents
wanted to continue on. They found that being in a small group of mutually supportive artists with
focused time to develop a cohesive body of work was integral to their own studio practice. In
response, we opened up a Continuing Residents track and have, with their direction and input,
developed concepts that continues the tradition of the Enso Circle as it propels their work forward.
The stunning work in this catalogue speaks to the professional and artistic growth of each
participant. The variety of media and artistic expressions you see here has been a rich and exciting
cross-pollination of ideas and resources. Thanks to each of these twenty-one amazing artists for
allowing Lyn and I to be a part of their life and their creative process.
Michelle Belto
Co-Founder, The Enso Circle
September 10, 2021
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This catalog is tangible proof that “what if” can become a reality. Each of the Resident artists
whose authentic, eclectic work graces these pages answered a call for concept that had not been
tried before – a virtual Art Residency based on a written application and specific goals.
The Enso Circle is not an art workshop or social media group, although it has components of
each of those. It is an invitational Art Residency, a dedicated three-month time period in which
artists join a community of creators for a specific self-chosen goal that is unique to them. The online
residency provides the comprehensive artistic support that they need to focus and strengthen their
work. Artists who apply are ready to focus on a conceptual goal in their studio practice. It could
be a social theme, an exploration of media, a series of work that analyzes personal struggles or
celebrates overcoming difficulty.
When Michelle and I opened up this idea online to the arts community in February of 2021, we
had no idea how that community would respond. We just knew that The Enso Circle was something
we would want at this stage in our creative careers. Much to our delight, we are now preparing
for our third term of the Residency. We choose the Residents like those you see here based on a
combination of factors, but any one of our applicants would be a great choice because the want to
be here.
Since the first day, the Residents have shown respect, support, humor, and encouragement to
others in the Circle. We’ve borrowed ideas from each other and made virtual visits to each other’s
studios. I am incredibly grateful to these Residents who have made The Enso Circle a reality, now
and in the future.
Lyn Belisle
Co-Founder, The Enso Circle
September 10, 2021