After being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, I was fortunate to be awarded an artist residency through the Emergency Relief Residency progam at Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI), from mid-October 2005 through mid-January 2006. SFAI's Emergency Relief Residency was initially established to assist New York artists following the events of 9-11, and was extended to gulf coast artists following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Emergency Relief Residency is generously funded by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the New Mexico Dept. of Cultural Affairs and SFAI. Apart from myself, three other New Oleanean artists were also in residence during that time - Anne Boudreau (sculptor), Sandy Chism (painter) and Gabe Gomez (writer).

SFAI is on the campus of the College of Santa Fe, although it's a separate entity. Residencies provide on-site lodging, shared kitchen and living facilities, studios and basic foods. Each of the staff are fabulous, and could not have been more accommodating during my stay. The Director, Diane Karp, is exceptionally energetic, friendly and warm hearted. Everyone there made me feel extremely welcome from my very first day.

The institute is centrally located in Santa Fe, and restaurants, bars and shops, as well as museums and theaters, are easily accessible. Step outside, and the mountains surrounding Santa Fe are in clear view - a sight that never ceased to impress me. The light in northern New Mexico is exquisite, giving the bluest skies I've ever seen. Colors seem amazingly saturated during the day and the stars very bright and abundant at night, even viewed from town.

The building that houses the institute is beautifully designed. The shared studio spaces are cavernous, with roof lights giving generous north light for visual artists. I shared one of these larger studios with two other artists, but each of us were pleasantly cacooned by strategically arranged space dividers. Residents are given keys to the building and may come and go, or work at any hour, day or night. There is a well-stocked art supply store only blocks away, so materials and supplies are easily obtained. Sam McFarlane, the resident technician, was always happy to provide advice or assistance if needed.

Once a month, artist residents were given an opportunity to show their work to visitors during an Open Studio evening. I found these events to be great fun, with plenty of nibbles, conversation and a chance to meet new people. There was also an informal slide night (for residents only), where each of us would show images of our work and share with the others something of what we do. On these occasions, Anne Boudreau and Gabe Gomez made huge pots of gumbo, giving everyone there a real a taste of New Orleans cuisine. There were also occasional mornings where the staff made breakfast for the residents, and residents and staff sat around the table and ate and visited with each other. I feel fortunate that the particular group of artists in residence during my stay (as well as the staff) were such a good group of people, and that we all got on with each other so well.

My time at SFAI was productive, and I completed something like 25 small to medium-sized works on paper. SFAI has an atmosphere that is very conducive to focusing on work, if that's what one wishes to do, and Santa Fe and the surrounding area is so very beautiful and culturally diverse that there's plenty to see and do outside studio time. It was hands-down the finest artist residency with which I have ever had the good fortune to participate. Residency applications are taken twice annually (visit www.sfai.org/applications.html for more information about applying). For artists who feel they can benefit from the myriad of opportunities that artist residencies can present, Santa Fe Art Institute should be at the top of your list.

Images, from top to bottom:

1. The north wing of the SFAI building, with doors to some of the artist accommodations
2. Artist Anne Boudreau, SFAI Director Diane Karp and myself
3. A view of my studio space
4. Writers Michelle-Mehri Mousavi and Gabe Gomez
5. (Left to right) Lane Chism, artist Sandy Chism, writer Michelle-Mehri Mousavi, artist Anne Boudreau, artist Zachary Keeting, myself, writer Gabe Gomez and writer Sharon Kessler