How one lucky artist could spend two weeks on Nova Scotia’s Sable Island

The Sable Island Institute has launched its first artist residency program.

One chosen artist will get the chance to spent two weeks on the island this October.

The hope is the artist will be inspired by its unique environment and create an original work of art that embodies the island.

They will also have access to an extensive archive of photos, stories and research for their work.

“By sharing this work with the broader community, the unique natural and cultural values of the Island can then be experienced by people who will never be able to go there themselves,” reads a post on the institute’s website.

Few people get to visit the island each year and there is a significant cost.

“In the past, there have been few opportunities for artists to work on the island for more than a day at a time. Parks Canada recognizes that an opportunity to go to the Island for a more extended period would be broadly beneficial,” the post says.

The chosen artist is advised to ‘travel light’ and only bring their essential material and equipment to the island.

“Most artists of course can never hope to do this and so the opportunity to be what is really a very extraordinary place and be there for two weeks is really quite something,” says Anne Muecke with the Sable Island Institute.

Professional artists in all disciplines from the four Atlantic provinces are invited to apply to the program.

Muecke says the artist will be chosen by the end of April.

“What we’re offering is up to two weeks, staying there in accommodation, food, flights, the whole thing, so they can move around, they can go about, they can see the animals, the plants, experience the weather, the fog, the sun, the wind, the waves, and get to really become familiar with the place and understand it,” she says.

The institute says there may be one or two residencies a year in the future.

More details on the opportunity and application process can be found online.

The deadline to apply is March 30.

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