Willow Pond Fibre Artist Residency

Located in Erin, Ontario - just 45 minutes by car from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport - Willow Pond is a small-scale art residency dedicated to fibre and textile practices. 

This residency is specifically designed for fibre artists who are looking for a place they can focus on self-directed projects. 

While you’re here, you will have access to a well-equipped studio with the tools, materials, space and support for a wide range of wet and dry fibre art processes including: rug hooking, punch needle, weaving, felting, braiding, tufting, dyeing, stitching, and other innovative mixed textile work.

The studio has been created to support a wide range of fibre and textile practices, from traditional techniques to experimental work. Set in a 750 square foot fibre studio, the space is bright, welcoming, and filled with samples of fibre art from around the world as inspiration. 

At Willow Pond Residency, we believe in skill-building and purposeful creation, but your time is yours. You’re free to set goals and finish projects, or, be process-oriented - your choice. Your host, Yvonne Iten-Scott, is an experienced and internationally-regarded fibre artist and instructor, and she will be available for guidance, questions and support - more below. 

1. Choose between 2, 4 or 1 week for your residency.
2. Select your preferred dates from those provided. (Coming.)
3. Fill in the application form below.
4. We will be in touch to set up a 20 minute conversation to get to know each other, ask questions, and confirm the residency is a good fit. 
5. Upon acceptance, a deposit or full payment is due to hold your place. If needed, the remainder of the residency fee is due 2 weeks before your first day.
6. An orientation document will be provided before your arrival.
7. Once your residency is completed, you will receive a certificate of completion (optional). 

• Private bedroom with your own bathroom
• Private (1 unit) or shared (1 unit with two people) kitchenette
• 24/7 studio access (quiet work after 9pm)
• Tools, equipment, and natural dyeing facilities
• A thoughtful and inspiring studio library
• Optional guidance and critique from your host twice a week (schedule to be confirmed once onsite)

This is a small, shared residency with a maximum of three artists at a time. Each artist has their own private room and bathroom. The living area and kitchenette are shared.

The kitchen is set up for simple, light cooking for everyday rather than elaborate meals. Standard groceries as well as health food stores and country markets are all within a 10-minute drive. 

You’ll be staying on a rural property with chickens and ducks with some uneven ground, well lit and secure. Reliable WiFi is available.

“This is an incredibly well-equipped, innovative and supportive residency I feel lucky I could be a part of! I’ve looked high and low, and it’s one of those really hard to find things: an affordable, fibre-focused residency with onsite accommodation and a really generous and experienced host. 

In the four weeks I spent here, I was able to deep dive into several projects and experiment with others. With Yvonne’s help, I used the studio electric wool carder, rigid heddle loom, rug hooking and proddy equipment, wet felting equipment, as well as her big tables to make some bigger works. 

Bonus: all the magazines and books for a massive shot of inspiration! The accommodations are great too - extra marks for a very comfy bed and beautiful nature all around. I hope and plan to be back very soon.” 

- Andrea Lee, Textile Artist (Haliburton School of Art Fibre Art Certificate alumni)