SPECIAL UPDATE: PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE SECURITY SITUATION IN ROSARITO AS OF DECEMBER 30, 2016 THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN.
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A note from Gretchen Smith about artist-in-residence programs at ARThouse Rosarito. I am a conceptual artist living my dream on the beach in Rosarito Mexico learning to surf, garden and live the simp
le life and dreaming of someday being off the grid. All proposals will be prayerfully considered but what I am really looking for are the Theaster Gates of this world...people who truly are critically engaged and who are not afraid to challenge the norm. Here is an an excerpt from a critical review of my art. New York critic Ed Rubin states, “I first met Gretchen at the 2007 Florence Biennale where I was both Master of Ceremonies and the Biennale liaison between management and 850 international exhibiting artists. During one of our many conversations I asked to see Gretchen’s portfolio. I was both pleased and amazed -- especially given that Smith is virtually self-taught -- to find work that was both inventive and accomplished. What surprised me most was that her original voice spoke to today. Gretchen is a very well-rounded visual artist and business woman with a rare depth of focus as well as the talent and discipline necessary to continue to be successful not only in the USA but also internationally.”
Currently my main project is an experimental community garden. The idea is to figure out how to produce the most amount of food with the least amount of resources and I am developing a model that poor people can follow. Please do not limit your projects proposals to garden related issues. I want to host artists-in-residence who are critically engaged in a variety of fields. I offer my 2 small guest rooms short-term to carefully selected experienced travellers such as serious artists, critical thinkers and community builders who would like to do a project here in Rosarito. Artist in Residence applications will be considered on a case by case basis but usually the maximum stay is 2 weeks and the program is considered to be very difficult. I have a small, simple 3 bedroom house 45 steps from the beach in a spanish speaking neighbourhood on the border of Rosarito and Popotla about 45 minutes south of the US border. If your project proposal is accepted you will have access to a bedroom, the kitchen/living room and bathroom which are simply furnished at this time and I will provide project accountability for your proposal. This dog friendly neighbourhood is primarily Spanish speaking and there is a semi-private sandy beach that is just 45 steps from my porch with tide pools on each end. Please note, most of the dogs are strays and NOT well behaved yet though I am working with them when I have time. Anyway, the rooms are small and simple and I live and work at the house full-time so you will be sharing the home with me and possibly another guest as well as 2 medium sized overly friendly dogs named Nirvanna and Calimax. The house does have some stairs and unfortunately is not handicap accessible. You can enjoy a variety of activities within walking distance including:
Surfing and boogie boarding
Clamming
Fishing
Harvesting fresh mussels
Rock Climbing
Running/Walking on the sandy beach
Sunset on the sandy beach
Photowalks or hiking along cliffs
Garden
Practice Spanish
Train the neighborhood dogs of which there are many
Volunteer with Boys and Girls Club, Red Cross, etc. Climb into the hammock and stay there for 3 days. BBQ
Campfires on Beach
Sleep, Rest, take a Siesta, make a blended drink and repeat
Additionally there are many interesting craftsman within 3 km distance because we are just off of Blvd Popotla which is known as the Artisan Blvd and is a designated ART District with a bran new multi-million dollar facility for the arts. There are several restaurants within 5-10 blocks walking distance as well and even a tiny organic grocery. The neighborhood is just about 3 km from the central part of Rosarito. You will be most comfortable if you speak basic spanish. There is internet which works most of the time and there is a little coffee shop 1 block away that has internet if you have your own laptop or other device. You are responsible for your own food, transportation, etc. There is a fridge, stove, crockpot, microwave at this time. Kitchen is sparsley appointed with few odd dishes and pans. You must submit a project proposal to [email protected] and I will prayerfully consider your proposal. Anyone is welcome to submit a transformational project idea for consideration but I only host a few exceptional people every year and it is quite an investment of my time and energy to provide project acountability, mentorship, and even host you in my home so I am really hoping for serious, experienced individuals who are ready to push themselves. That said, I also understand how living this life can be draining and sometimes artists just need a place to recharge. If you are seeking rest and relaxation and a chance to restore your creative juices then you may request a special retreat specifically for the purpose of introspection and I may be able to accomodate you by having you housesit when I travel. Anyway, if you want to have a more authentic adventure then please email me at [email protected] or call 011 521 661 123 1173 or 619-780-8209
Lo Siento yo no hablo espanol bien. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING OR DRUGS. Most of the time 2 weeks is the maximum stay. Submit your project idea or proposal for consideration to [email protected]
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Thanks for joining me in my dream. Sincerely,
Gretchen Smith
[email protected]
For professional references www.linkedin.com/in/tallartist
For artwork www.facebook.com/gretchensmithart
For easy communication www.facebook.com/tallartist
For information about visiting ARThouse in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico...
https://www.facebook.com/tallartist/media_set…
SKYPE: tallartist1972
Mexican Cell Phone 011-521-661-123-1173 if dialing from the states. Otherwise, read this instructions:
http://www.bajainsider.com/…/gene…/phonedialinginmexico.htm…
The very best way to reach me is via facebook. here is my current wishlist for the garden, house and neighbourhood:
For the garden
Worms
Organic Soil/Compost
Heirloom seeds of all kinds http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=wish_list
Canning equipment and jars
Garden friendly detergents (I will be using grey water for gardening)
Shovels, pick axe and other garden tools of all sizes
Work gloves of all kinds
Paint and brushes of all kinds
Tools of all kinds and hardware
Power tools including circular saw, dremel, drill, jigsaw, etc
Saw horses
Gas Grill in good condition
For the house
Shelving/Storage (We have 0 closets)
Baking Dishes and Pots and Pans
Curtains and Blinds
Bedding for Twin, Queen and King
Old Sheets for garden and art projects
Towels, Washcloths, Sponge etc. Kitchen Appliances including, juicer, chopper, breadmaker
Fold up tables of all kinds for art projects
dressers
twin mattress
For the neighborhood
Paint rollers
Large paint brushes
Paint of all kinds for graffiti clean up
Dog food (big bags helpful..cheap ok)
Puppy food
Dewormer
Collars for dogs (all sizes)
Flea/Tick meds for strays (all sizes)
Sponsor strays for spay and neuter and shots (about $30 US)
Thank you. Mailing Address in USA
Gretchen Smith
PO Box 439030
PMB 287
San Ysidro, CA 92143
