This summer, four Artists in Residence—Justin Archer, Nava Lubelski, c marquez, and Luis A. Sahagun—have transformed the Center for Craft’s basement Ideation Lab into a vibrant space for creation, research, and exploration. Join us on July 11th at 5:30 PM to witness their work firsthand!

Each resident received a $10,000 honorarium, 8 weeks of access to studio space at the Center for Craft and curated regional exploration days.

The four residents represent two programs. Justin Archer and c marquez are the Virginia A. Groot Material Exploration Residents. This unique opportunity for previous Virginia A. Groot awardees and honorable mention recipients was designed to connect the residents with makers and resources in Western North Carolina to explore new or unfamiliar material.  Justin Archer uses 3D printed models to hand sculpt incomplete yet realistic human forms.  c  marquez creates installations with tall tumble mustard that are inherently impermanent, attached with only tension and gravity (no glue or hardware).  

Luis A. Sahagun and Nava Lubelski are the WNC Artists in Residence who are using their time to regenerate their practice and connect with expanded networks.

Luis A. Sahagun is an artist and ritualist who creates paintings, sculptures, and community gatherings that center healing. Nava Lubelski combines painting, embroidery, and lacework in ways that acknowledge the potential chaos, frustration, and rebellion often repressed in needlework traditions.

These residencies are made possible by Virginia A. Groot Foundation and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.