Page 5 - 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 This catalog is tangible proof that “what if” can become a reality. Each of the Resident artists
planning what would later become The Enso Circle. Back then, I was doing a lot of teaching on the whose authentic, eclectic work graces these pages answered a call for concept that had not been
road and Lyn had created a thriving art center. The original impetus, I think, came from wanting tried before – a virtual Art Residency based on a written application and specific goals.
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 Enso Circle is not an art workshop or social media group, although it has components of
The proverbial window opened when Covid forced us all into quarantine. Separated and isolated in each of those. It is an invitational Art Residency, a dedicated three-month time period in which
our studios across town from one another, we had time and energy to design a focused experience artists join a community of creators for a specific self-chosen goal that is unique to them. The online
based on connections-creative, collaborative and community—the opportunity we wanted for residency provides the comprehensive artistic support that they need to focus and strengthen their
ourselves. The Enso Circle Artists Residency was born. 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
The second term grew unexpectedly last June when a significant number of the first residents celebrates overcoming difficulty.
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 When Michelle and I opened up this idea online to the arts community in February of 2021, we
response, we opened up a Continuing Residents track and have, with their direction and input, had no idea how that community would respond. We just knew that The Enso Circle was something
developed concepts that continues the tradition of the Enso Circle as it propels their work forward. 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
The stunning work in this catalogue speaks to the professional and artistic growth of each combination of factors, but any one of our applicants would be a great choice because the want to
participant. The variety of media and artistic expressions you see here has been a rich and exciting be here.
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. 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
Michelle Belto and in the future.

Co-Founder, The Enso Circle Lyn Belisle
September 10, 2021
Co-Founder, The Enso Circle
September 10, 2021

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