New Pacific Studio, Mount Bruce

In the lower North Island, New Zealand, is now open year-round to accept applications for resident fellowships from artists, writers and environmentalists in New Zealand and elsewhere. Fellows have many opportunities to interact with the local arts community: regular open days, exhibitions, radio talks, schools sessions, workshops etc.

Location

New Pacific Studio, Mount Bruce is located on a 5 acre property on State Highway 2, just 1 km north of the National Wildlife Centre, five minutes south of Eketahuna and 20 minutes north of Masterton. This is a beautiful rural area of sheep and dairy farming and close to native bush in the northern Wairarapa, one hour by car from Palmerston North and 90 minutes by train from Wellington, the lively capital city. Excellent hiking is available close by in the Tararua Ranges. International visitors fly to Auckland and then continue with a 1 hr flight to Wellington, and train to Masterton. Free pick-up from Masterton or Palmerston North.

Studios/Special equipment
High-speed internet is available with a 4-pin router in the main house, in Kupe, Mason and Saiko Rooms. Fax machine available, 2 printers.

Burton Room
15 x 15 contains 4 shaft Ashford loom, spinning wheel, sewing machine, oriel window with window seat.

Peryman Loft Studio
spacious 11 ft high, open rafters three working areas, library, huge floorspace, 2 dormers, stargazing deck.

Cottage Studio
15 x 12 ft, 8 ft walls, track lighting, open rafters, deck.

Old Garage Studio
16 ft x 8 ft walls, open rafters, track lighting, sink.

Main House
A beautiful renovated 1911 concrete and rimu historic villa (Kaiparoro Historic House, originally Normandell), built for a Yorkshire clockmaker. Downstairs are verandahs on three sides, three fireplaces, 2 double bedrooms (Kupe, Mason), 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining/sitting room (Coolahan Room), and studio (Burton Room).Resident or acting director in third bedroom(Saiko Room) with doors to verandah.

Loft Library and Sleeping Space
Upstairs is a huge loft studio/library with further sleeping space, accessible by internal and external stairs.

Cottage
The adjoining Isakson-Love Cottage, renovated in 2004, has 2 bunk beds, kitchen, shower, sauna, woodburning stove, and outside wc. Sleeps 2.

Costs

Artists are responsible for their own travel expenses. From December 2007, each person pays a weekly residency fee of NZ $200 pw. This includes linen, heating, use of washing machine and dryer and access to high speed internet and printer. Heat pump and LPG heating throughout.

Meals

Fellows provide their own catering in communal kitchen and dining room. Station wagon available for shared shopping and local use. Residents sharing car contribute $50 pw. towards gas and running costs ( 2007- a tank fill costs NZ $65.)

Other facilities and services

Heating is included. 4 fireplaces, lpg heaters in each room, heat pump in main house. Cleaning is provided weekly. Attractive wilderness garden.Forest walks in Mount Bruce forest 2 minutes away. Small tv, vcr, dvd, radios.

Pacific Writers’ Cottage, Vallejo

One of the oldest houses in Vallejo, this charming relocated 1850s cottage once on Rancho Suscol was first occupied by engraver Lucien Curtis and has been home to many Mare Island skilled craftsmen including a sail maker, a machinist, and a carriage builder.

Location

Vallejo, one of the oldest cities in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. Fine downtown architectural heritage. 20 mins by car from Berkeley or Napa, 40 mins to UC Davis. One hour by ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building. Farmers’ market on Sat am, excellent public library and rare books collection (www.mccunecollection.org) and local museum for naval crafts history.

Amenities

Furnished study bedroom with fitted double bed and bookcases, Internet connection and printer, ensuite bathroom and private door to rear deck and vine-covered patio. Linen supplied. Set in tree-filled gardens, good walking/jogging, quiet house. Self-catering, shared use of kitchen/laundry with resident co-director. Free pick-up from Vallejo hotel. Use of Nissan Sentra for local travel available for a nominal fee.

Eligiblity

Writers with Pacific north/south focus. Indigenous writers with comparative interests. Availability: Sep- May. Min 2 wks, max three months. Please apply via email to Director, Pacific Writers’ Cottage, newpacificstudio@xtra.co.nz with bio, project and two references.

Residency fee: $200 pw

• Application Form

• Featured Resident Artist

Click for Application Form