“I want to find humor in everything; it is a means of relief and healing. I know that my work confronts people with subjects they're not comfortable thinking or talking about, but if there's a reprieve in there through humor, it's so powerful.” —Wendy Red Star
I’ve been thinking so much about genuine connections lately. Last week, for whatever reason, I received a handful of such thoughtful emails that seemingly came out of nowhere. One, for instance, started with, “I’m not actually even sure why I’m writing this message, but I read such-and-such an article and I just felt like I had to send you a note.” (I’m paraphrasing, but you get my drift.)
I’m always bowled over by these emails. It made me realize that for all the messages I send, I don’t think it’s ever occurred to me to just reach out to someone for the sake of telling them that I really like what they’re doing—and that’s all. I don’t know why I haven’t!
One thing I find interesting about this dichotomy of sorts is that while I derive quite a bit of joy from the occasional, kind, and surprising note, I’ve apparently always had a really deep-seated concern that if I were to do the same thing for someone else, it would be taken as an annoyance or an implied “ask”—a drain on their time.
It’s interesting that something that obviously brings me so much pleasure is something that I think would seriously annoy someone else. That said, it’s smart to be aware that sometimes that suspicion of the “ask” is real; curators and gallerists are approached all the time with ostensibly simple hellos that transform into proposals or inquiries in no time, requiring mental and emotional labor.
Another side of the coin is that it’s hard to not feel disappointed when you’ve crafted a genuine message to someone and it’s just… crickets. That said, though, I fully understand that we can all get overloaded, and it can happen really quickly. Messages also just get read and forgotten about without any kind of malice… they just vanish. And actually, let’s be honest, there’s no reason to be disappointed if you’re genuinely just wanting to say hello, say thank you, say “love what you do!”
I try to respond to every email. It might take me a week, often more, but I feel like this is the connectivity we’ve got—it’s a fragile, vulnerable thing in need of as much nurturing as we can muster, all of the time. I work at home, often by myself—the touching-base is essential!
It’s also alright to take a break every now and again; one shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the “owing” of messages. Good communication may be a skill, but there are many ways of doing it well and at your own speed without sacrificing too much time or energy.
It’s a little too early for New Year’s resolutions (and I don’t like them much anyway), but if there’s anything I’d like to pursue more intentionally in the coming months, and hopefully longer, it’s the writing of notes and letters—both the digital and analog variety—and letting people know when I love what they do. It’s good practice, and I’m inspired by those who have taken the time to write messages to me without knowing what the hell I would do, say, or not say in return. Your courage gives me courage!
Next week’s edition will be lighter version for the holiday, but as usual, I’ll see you in your inboxes on Wednesday.
—Kate
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What you’ll find below:
Featured artist: Mika Obayashi
Four exhibitions to see in Detroit, Los Angeles, São Paolo, and Taos
Twelve opportunities for artists with deadlines coming up soon
Featured Artist: Mika Obayashi
At CARVALHO PARK in Brooklyn, Mika Obayashi has re-sited her work, Gospel of Three Dimensions, in the gallery’s recently-added, airy second gallery. I was pleased to be invited to pen the text to accompany the exhibition.
Absorptive of light and its surroundings, the work expands upon a previous iteration, in which a central, monolithic form could be circumambulated and stepped into on one side. Here, Obayashi has reimagined an ethereal forest through which visitors are led on individual journeys in a metaphysical, gauzy grove of hand-dyed indigo paper—a natural pigment chosen for its “living” character. Simultaneously solid and airy, the layered material is poised with delicate tension between gravity and weightlessness, calling on the rich history of paper as a repository for cultural and ancestral knowledge
Gospel of Three Dimensions continues through January 4.
Exhibitions
LOS ANGELES | TIGER STRIKES ASTEROID
Antonio Perez: Carnal
As a first-generation Mexican-American born in Compton and raised in Bell Gardens, Perez—who is currently based in Los Angeles—excavates layers of identity, history, social structures, family, and culture in a mixed-media practice incorporating found objects into sculptural assemblages.
Runs through December 8
DETROIT | VALADE FAMILY GALLERY @ CCS
Fiber Flux
Fiber Flux at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies pays homage to the innovative spirit and boundless creativity of educators across the Midwest, featuring more than three dozen artists. The work pictured above is a handwoven drawing by Marcelyn Bennett-Carpenter.
Runs through December 14
SÃO PAOLO | GALERIA LEME
Gabriela Giroletti: Mil Manhãs
Giroletti’s first solo exhibition in Brazil brings together the artist’s abstract, shaped paintings, varying widely in scale, that emphasize an intuitive, experimental approach to the medium.
Runs through December 20
TAOS | THE VALLEY
World Without End
“The works in World Without End collectively suggest that an apocalypse is not an abstract, future event but an ongoing reality for many life forms across history, human and non-human alike.” Artists include Aron John Dubois, Lowe Fehn, Estefania Puerta (pictureD), Sarah M. Rodriguez, and Noah Schneiderman.
Runs through January 4
Artist Opportunities
Young Space emphasizes fully-funded opportunities with low or no entry fees and programs that focus on creative and professional development for visual artists. Deadlines are coming up soon to apply for these grants, fellowships, residencies, and more.
Paid subscribers, check out the whole list anytime at yngspc.com/opportunities and enter the password you received in your signup email. Can’t find it? Just shoot me a note. Thank your for your support!
Gasworks Residency for South Korean Artists
Deadline: November 24
This residency open call is for an artist of Korean nationality based anywhere in the world. The eleven-week, fully funded residency will take place at Gasworks in London from July 7 to September 15, 2025.
Submission fee: none
Tiny Grant for NY-Based Artists
Deadline: November 29
The Tiny Grant offers $3,000 to emerging artists based in NYC. The program kicks off at the start of 2025 and runs through the end of June. The artist-funders aim to award grants to 3 to 4 artists who are in the greatest need of support and whose artistic visions resonate with the organizers. Applications from all creative fields are welcome. This opportunity is especially suited for artists looking to pursue a full-time career.
Submission fee: none
Culture Moves Europe: Individual Mobility
Deadline: November 30
Artists and cultural professionals can apply with a proposal to carry out a project with a partner of their choice in a Creative Europe country which is not their country of residence. The partner can be, for example, a fellow artist, an organization, or a venue in the country of destination. It is possible to apply either as an individual or as a group of up to five people. The grant is composed of a travel allowance, a daily allowance and individual top-ups and support. The grant calculations are made specifically for each grantee, based on their project and personal situation.
Submission fee: none
Union for Contemporary Art Inside/Outside Fellowship
Deadline: December 1
Created to serve artists living in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the Inside/Outside Fellowship program is an opportunity for deep immersion in both studio practice and community engagement: Fellows explore materials and ideas to advance their creative practices while developing art projects that contribute positively to the local community. Selected artists receive free private studio, a $3,000 honorarium, $500 in professional development funds, and more.
Submission fee: none
Alchemy Artist Residencies
Deadline: December 1
Alchemy’s AIR program is a unique opportunity to live in an immersive arts community on San Juan Island, connect with the wider SJI community via teaching and outreach activities, and have focused time to create art in an environment that supports collaboration, cross-pollination, and innovation. Programs include a Teaching Artist Residency, Artists in Community Artist Residency, and a Special Projects Artist Residency. All AIR opportunities include a work exchange of 12 to 15 hours per week, and depending on a residency type, a $300 stipend is available.
Submission fee: $10
EFA Studio Program Subsidized Studio Memberships
Deadline: December 1
EFA Studio Program offers professional visual artists subsidized studios, curatorial visits, and a supportive community in Midtown Manhattan. Artists are selected by a panel of art professionals based on an anonymous review of images, videos, and a short statement. The program welcomes artists living within commuting distance of Manhattan. Members receive a private studio for a period of up to two years that is subsidized at below-market cost.
Submission fee: none
Smack Mellon Emerging Artists Summer 2025 Exhibition Open Call
Deadline: December 1
Smack Mellon seeks artwork submissions for a summer group exhibition to be guest-curated by New York City-based writer and curator Pallavi Surana. This exhibition conceptually departs from the salt marsh—a transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic environments that provides critical habitat for a variety of species. As ecosystems, salt marshes carry an inherent tension and exist as intermediaries: between land and sea, and between a perceived desolation and vitality. A small stipend, TBD, will be provided.
Submission fee: none
Public Art for Spatial Justice Grants
Deadline: December 2
Massachusetts-based artist(s) and Massachusetts-based organizations working with artist(s), are welcome to apply for a project grant. Projects must take place in Massachusetts and creatively cultivate expressions or embodiments of spatial justice through public artmaking. All artistic disciplines are welcome to apply. Public Art for Spatial Justice grants range from $15,000 to $30,000, for up to a two-year grant period beginning March 2025 through February 2027.
Submission fee: none
Gasworks Residency for Artists Based in Spain
Deadline: December 2
This residency open call is for an early-career artist based in Spain. The eleven-week, fully funded residency will take place at Gasworks in London from April 7 to June 23, 2025.
Submission fee: none
Hugo Burge Foundation Skyboat Visual Artist Residency
Deadline: December 6
This is a residency for a visual artist of any medium and is named in honor of Charlie Poulsen’s Skyboat, a living sculpture that is located on-site. (The resident will have the opportunity to meet with Charlie and discuss his practice.) The successful applicant will receive private studio space, on-site accommodation in one of Marchmont Estate's Hobbit Pods, and a weekly stipend of £350. Artists are free to use the residency time as they wish, with the expectation that they will conduct at least one public event, such as a workshop, talk, demonstration, performance, or educational activity. The residency runs from March 6 to April 3, 2025.
Submission fee: none
Hugo Burge Foundation Textile Artist Residency
Deadline: December 6
The Scottish Borders has a rich history of textile making and trading. Because of this, Hugo Burge Foundation at Marchmont Estate are happy to create this residency opportunity for a textile artist at any stage of their career who would enjoy a tranquil and immersive environment to focus on their craft. While the program does not have a studio specifically designed or equipped for textiles, they will provide private studio space, on-site accommodation, and a weekly stipend of £350. Artists are free to use the residency time as they wish, with the expectation that they will conduct at least one public event, such as a workshop, talk, demonstration, performance, or educational activity. The residency runs from March 6 to April 3, 2025.
Submission fee: none
Foyle Visual Artist's Residency at Hospitalfield
Deadline: December 8
The Foyle Foundation Residency is a four-week funded program with 6 places available for U.K.-based contemporary visual art practitioners. Selected artists receive a bursary that supports them during the residency. This residency is devised for those developing their working lives within the scope of contemporary visual art practices. The residency runs from March 31 to April 27, 2025, and includes a £2,200 bursary and a travel budget of £100.
Submission fee: none
See all opportunities
Paid subscribers can access a full list of all current opportunities anytime—updated at least a couple of times each week.
Whether you’re a free or paid subscriber, you can also browse through listings in earlier digests in the archive.
If you are part of an organization or art business that offers opportunities or services you think artists should know about, consider a featured listing or post. Email me at kate@young-space.com or just reply to this email for more info.
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