Pictured: Laura Nave ’19, Scott Ross ’19, and Grayson Fair ’20 (in order of appearance).
About the Program
The AMOCA Artist in Residence Program, established in 2012, is one of the few long-term fellowship opportunities for ceramic artists on the West Coast. Located an hour from the desert, mountains, and beaches of Southern California and forty minutes east of Los Angeles, the residency provides artists an opportunity to produce or develop a new body of work. Beginning in 2022, thanks to enhanced support from the Windgate Foundation, additional short-term residencies are available for artists based in Southern California.
Resident selections are based on the quality and artistic merit of the work and the strength of the artist’s residency plan. Applications for residencies for 2024-2025 were open through January 31, 2024, and upcoming residents will be announced in Spring 2024.
This program is funded through generous support from Julianne and David Armstrong, Laguna Clay, and the Windgate Foundation.
Future, Current, & Past Residents
2024
Luke Shalan • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Mary Cale Wilson • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Michelle Solorzano • Website
Reniel Del Rosario • Website
Stephanie Kim • Website
2023
Kim Tucker • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Natalia Arbelaez • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Claudia V. Solórzano • Instagram • AMOCA Artist Talk
Paige O’Toole • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Jolie Ngo • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
2022
Amy Santoferraro • Website
Nick Vest • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Christopher Suarez • Instagram • AMOCA Artist Talk
Breana Ferreira • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
2021
Natalia Arbelaez • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Colby Charpentier • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
Kirstin Willders • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
2020
Andrew “Augusta” Smith • Instagram
Grayson Fair • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
2019
Kevin Snipes • Website
Scott Ross • Website
Laura Nave • Website • AMOCA Artist Talk
2018
Carey Nathanson • Instagram
2017
Tyler Stonestreet • Instagram
2016
Kelly Foy
2015
Carlos España • Website
Liliana Rodregez • Website
2014
Larry Meagher
2012
Program History
In 2012, the Artist in Residence program at AMOCA was launched and Bobby Free (Montana) became the inaugural artist-in-residence. From those humble beginnings, artists accepted into the program over the next six years were afforded a semi-private studio space, 24/7 access to studio facilities, and equipment for one to six months. Artist amenities grew in the fall of 2018, when AMOCA’s founder David Armstrong generously provided the means necessary for a local furnished apartment, within walking distance, to be provided as part of the long-term residency program. Laguna Clay (a regional ceramics supply company) became an annual program sponsor in 2019 and began providing artists a clay stipend. The Windgate Foundation made a significant grant in the spring of 2020 to increase the number of residents and underwrite the program through April 2026. Beginning in 2022, thanks to enhanced support from the Windgate Foundation, additional short term residencies are available for artists based in Southern California.
AMOCA Ceramic Studio Equipment
• Three Geil DL model gas kilns with PXG – 4 controllers (10, 20, and 40 cubic foot) The 10 cubic feet kiln has an automotive damper for controlling the atmosphere and temperature
• Salt kiln (built by Ted Neal)– 32 cubic feet
• Soda kiln (built by Ted Neal) – 32 cubic feet
• Five electric Skutt kilns and test Skutt kiln
• Three slab rollers (small 14”x40”, medium 20”x45”, and large 3’x5’)
• North Star extruder with assorted dies
• Potters wheels: Brent, Soldner, Lockerbie, and Pacifica
• Glaze area with common clay and glaze materials
• Soldner mixer
• Bluebird Pugger
How to Apply
Applications, submitted online, are open each year during the month of January. Residency opportunities vary depending on available funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to sign up for the mailing list to stay up-to-date on artist opportunities at AMOCA. First-time applicants (or those wanting a refresher) should attend a current information session and/or review the recorded 2023 Information Session below. Feel free to contact our staff if you have questions or want to bounce ideas off us – we’re happy to answer any questions you might have!
Eligibility
Both long-term and short-term residents must be US Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders), have DACA status, or be US Permanent Residents.
For short-term residencies, artists must live in southern California; short-term residents should reside near enough to AMOCA to enjoy 20+ hours / week of active studio time.
Please email us at studio@amoca.org you have specific questions about eligibility.
Artist in Residence Information Session
Prospective applicants were invited to join a live information session on Zoom with AMOCA staff, alongside current/former resident artists, to learn more about the Artist in Residence program. This year’s information session was held on Monday, January 22, 2024. The information session briefly introduces attendees to program staff, describes the program, and provides time for recent cohort of artists in residence to share their experiences. A question and answer session caps off the meeting.
Residency applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an upcoming info session, or to view the recording of the 2023 information session below, before applying.
2022 and 2023 resident artists Breana Ferreira and Colby Charpentier joined Museum staff for a live information session on Zoom in January 2023.
Application Information
The 2024-2025 Artist is Residence Application deadline has now passed. 2024 Application information is listed below, for reference.
To complete the application, the following information is required:
– Personal contact information
– Name and contact information for two references
– Resume (in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format)
– A residency plan of no more than one page describing your proposed plans for the residency (in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format)
– Five digital images with descriptions that are representative of your work
What you can expect from us:
- Residency support including an accommodations stipend or furnished apartment, semi-private studio with 24/7 access, $100 per week living stipend, materials stipend, and firing stipend. Short term residencies, allocated for artists living in Southern California, do not include housing or an accommodations stipend.
- Teaching and workshop opportunities within the studio and at local colleges
- A complimentary AMOCA Membership for the duration of your residency
- Behind-the-scenes access to museum facilities and collections
What we expect from you:
- An Artist Talk or Visual Presentation introducing yourself and your artwork to the community
- Minimum 20 hours per week of active studio time
- Regular participation in monthly AMOCA events
- Occasional engagement with students, members, visitors, and the community
- A final summary or visual tour summarizing your work during the residency
Questions? Email us at studio@amoca.org.
Press
April 8, 2024—2024-2025 Artists-in-Residence Announced
April 19, 2023—2023-2024 Artists-in-Residence Announced
April 12, 2022—2022–23 Artists-in-Residence Announced
March 5, 2021—2021–22 Artists-in-Residence Announced
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301 N Garey Ave Pomona, CA 91767
909.865.3146 | studio@amoca.org
The Studio is open by appointment only.
For information about museum exhibition hours and availability, please click the link below.