A.I.R. Vallauris (Artists in Residence)

by Dale Dorosh
(Vallauris, France)

Located in the heart of the old town of Vallauris, the association A.I.R. Vallauris (Artists in Residence) welcomes international artists from all horizons to meet and collaborate with local artists and to research and create new work in an artistic laboratory created specifically for them.

The Association has four primary objectives:

- To host resident international artists
- To support contemporary creation
- To provide education in the field of Ceramic Arts
- To organize cultural events

Created in October 2001, the Association A.I.R. Vallauris, since April 2002, welcomes several artists at a given time in its residence and studios available to the artists. There are several different residency periods to choose from, and the durations vary.

The creators using different mediums benefit from an equipped studio, independent furnished bedrooms and a gallery where their works are presented at the end of the residency period.

The quality of the artistic creation is one of the major concerns or the program; the selection committee evaluates applicants based on their artistic experience, merit and project proposal. Since April 2002, over 130 creators of different nationalities have taken part in the program..

The Association encourages and facilitates interaction between local artists and international artists. Workshops, conferences, demonstrations exhibitions are organized with the resident artists. These events are open to the public. Through partnerships with the local School of Fine Arts, the local government, and international organizations a sensibility of exchange between the public, artists, and international is realized.