ALUMNAE QUOTES
DELALI AYIVOR (2019): As a writer, STONELEAF was a transformative experience for me. I had really been struggling with devising a process that feels sustainably generative. Given a physical studio space, and a healthy roster of people to visit it, I was forced to externalize all of my anxieties, to take all of my trepidation about production and literally, tack them up on the wall. In so doing, I definitely exorcised some of my demons. More than that, discussing a multimedia, large-scale project like this with minds informed by traditions other than writing really blew up my own expectations of what I am capable of doing. I walked away with a greater sense of how deterministic my own thinking can be and a renewed sense of my own possibility and imagination.
LIZANIA CRUZ (2019): At STONELEAF RETREAT, I realized how regenerative it is to be in nature. It provided the space to clarify ideas that I've been thinking of for almost 6 months into a project that I'm now fully developing. You can't bet the energy of having a studio break where you go on swim in a waterfall or read by the pond surrounded by the most beautiful trees. I'm grateful for Helen and Eric to share their beautiful space with womxn artists. It was a special experience. One that I would sure recommend to all artists.
TARAH DOUGLAS (2019): STONELEAF offered me a meaningful time of reflection and a moment of pause in the whirlwind of making. The housing, studios, and community offered so much warmth, joy, and encouragement while the nature and solitude really helped me get to the root of my intentions in the work. It was such a treat to be in that space and have such a gentle, supportive quiet time to make, organize, and rest.
TAMAR ETTUN (2019): STONELEAF was a wonderful intimate residency -- I got to disconnect from the intensity of the city, spend time in nature, have lots of long conversations about art and life, make new friends-- including a three legged frog who resided in my studio -- and make new work inspired by the shapes, colors and textures surrounding the studio. Highly recommended! Lots of great memories.
ALISON MCNULTY (2019): STONELEAF RETREAT is a portal opened by Helen and Eric between the art world, the artists, and the landscape at the base of the Catskills, including its array of vegetal, mineral, and animal kin. That the residency has been created and shared in a spirit of genuine curiosity, generosity, and love is evident in every detail and interaction.
"Magic" is a word that came up daily between myself and the other astonishing and inspiring women in residence: maybe it was the life-giving, life-affirming, phenomenal natural world entering into our daily rituals, interactions, and work flows. Maybe it was the bliss and clarity that come from re-calibrating intention around the wonder and mystery of being a sensing body in attentive proximity to its web of ecological relations. Maybe it was the feeling of wildness and creative productivity and that came from the gift of time and space to encounter, play, experiment, and bond. What I can say is that a shift in clarity and perception took place for me in this place of healing, possibility, affirmation, and kinship, and that magic was enabled by the structure, spirit, and site of the residency.
ANNE NOWAK (2019): Living in Copenhagen, I wanted to apply to the STONELEAF residency, to get away from my usual practice in Denmark but also to build friendships and connections with other female artists and curators outside of my own network and country.
As I live in the city, I miss the nature a lot. At STONELEAF I was surrounded by the most beautiful nature and animals. It felt like a dream. Such a magic place. I will always carry that in my heart. I also felt very supported and extremely welcomed by Helen and Eric.
HIBA SCHAHBAZ (2019): STONELEAF is a truly special space and I am very honored to be part of the rich creative community Helen and Eric are building. My time upstate was amazing and I felt very connected to nature and the people around me. I was able to peacefully and productively develop my paintings and installations. Thank you Helen, Eric and Harry for your generosity and great energy and sharing your beautiful home with me.
KEISHA SCARVILLE (2019): STONELEAF RETREAT was deeply invigorating to my art practice. Being embedded in the landscape, coupled with an intimate community of fabulous artists, compelled me to freely explore multiple facets of art making. The environment is so incredibly supportive and rich. I love it!!!!!
SACHA VEGA (2019): My residency at STONELEAF came at a time in my life when I needed change, both from the rhythms of my art practice and the nature of my employment. Helen and Eric invited us into a beautiful environment that was encouraging, supportive and trusting of the unique ways each resident used their time. Whether or not we wanted to go on long walks in the woods or hold up in the studio all day, we were genuinely told to spend our days in ways that were meaningful to us. Helen and Eric chose a diverse range of artists to attend and I feel so lucky to have been in conversation with people who create in very different ways than me (in addition to being immeasurably generous + thoughtful people).
It was such a massive gift to have time and space to begin reassessing my relationship to work, that I ended up playing in a surprisingly generative way. I'm forever grateful for the championing this residency does for its artists both during their stay and beyond.
MAHWISH CHISHTY (2018): Helen and Eric were amazing hosts! They facilitated very comfortable living space, spacious studios and communal homemade dinners. As a result, STONELEAF was a perfect balance between privacy/isolation to focus on creating work and socialization/getting to know each other.
LIZ COLLINS (2018): For me STONELEAF was pure magic—peace, laughter, friendship, ease, comfort, solitude, support.... it feels now like a beautiful and very real dream. One of the strongest memories of my short, but long and full-feeling 2 weeks there was the runs I went on almost daily. To be free to wake up slowly after a late night of working in the studio, then go for a run up and down Ashokan Road-being so deep in nature-and to be able to have the time to be completely present in the run, rather than thinking what am I’m going to do next....that kind of freedom and open ended time in this intimate, quiet, place that emanates love and care.....That is what I took away- a feeling of complete serenity. STONELEAF is a very special place.
THERESA CHROMATI (2018): The most gorgeous Wildflowers lined the cabin where I lived and I fell in love with them. During this residency I started to incorporate flowers into my paintings, or what I like to call them “scrotum flowers”, as objects of power. The environment was truly calm and inspiring.
RENA DETRIXHE (2018): My residency at STONELEAF retreat was generative and stimulating, I felt at home from the moment I arrived. The beautiful studio and surroundings are complimented by the warmth and humor of the generous hosts, Helen and Eric. This place is truly special.
MONICA PALMA (2018): STONELEAF is a space run with passion and commitment. I was pleasantly surprised that I got so much work done and still got time to swim in the river and watch the sunset at the reservoir.
ELYSE RASMUSSEN (2018): STONELEAF RETREAT was a wonderful and welcoming experience. It provided an idyllic working environment and I felt very supported and extremely welcomed by Helen and Eric. The residency allowed me the opportunity to make new work while decompressing from city life and I am grateful for the time spent and the new friendships forged.
EMMA KOHLMANN (2018): I was able to have the focus I needed to get projects done while simultaneously having a community of artists to commune with. I really loved my experience at STONELEAF as form of active relaxation. Where you can do your work at your own pace with support around you.
SINTA TANTRA (2018): Living in London, I decided to apply to the STONELEAF residency in upstate New York, not only to get away from my usual practice in the UK but also to build friendships and connections with other female artists and curators outside of my own network. I had such a wonderful time - Helen and Eric were the perfect hosts fostering a safe and welcoming space for creativity and opportunities to experiment.
LEAH DIXON (2017): The physical space, setting, and time provided at STONELEAF allowed me to conceive of, and work on a large-scale project that would have been very difficult to achieve in the city. And thanks to Helen and Eric's keen curatorial ability to bring people together, the other artists in residence and I formed a deep interest, and personal stake in each other's work.
MACON REED (2017): My time at STONELEAF was truly magical- I have attended a number of residencies and this one is really different. In part because of its intimacy- both with the incredible landscape and the smaller cohort, gathering for home-cooked meals and conversation. I was able to work both indoors and outdoors, finishing a new site-specific installation on the water before I left. One of the most special aspects of this residency is the time spent with its founders, Helen and Eric, who are so generous and well-versed in aspects of the art world- I learned so much from our conversations! Im also excited to say I will be having my first show in London this fall because of a connection I made at STONELEAF. Im so grateful I was able to attend!
MIA TAYLOR (2017): The light and airy studio surrounded by trees, where I worked at STONELEAF, was the trigger for a new series of watercolour paintings, some of which responded directly to the surrounding landscape. Without much to distract us we spent long days working, followed by friendly evenings of sociability. The warmth and generosity of Helen and Eric set the scene for new and lasting friendships with the other residents and visitors, as well as creating a supportive environment that allowed us artists to focus on our work.