ARTS Southeast Revitalizes Artist Residency on Georgia's Remote Ossabaw Island
ARTS Southeast, a nonprofit organization based in Savannah, Georgia, has announced the re-launch of an artist residency program on Ossabaw Island. This initiative aims to offer artists a distinctive experience within the island's remote and untamed natural environment. The residency will feature two week-long sessions, one in the fall of 2026 and another in the spring of 2027, each hosting six artists. Participants will receive stipends, and their travel and accommodation expenses will be covered. The program emphasizes exploration and dialogue over artistic production, encouraging residents to connect with the island's diverse landscape and engage in evening discussions.
The executive director of ARTS Southeast, Emily Earl, highlighted the island's untouched nature, describing it as "raw" with ancient trees, diverse wildlife including alligators, snakes, and donkeys. She emphasized that the residency offers a rare opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in nature, fostering experiences that can be profoundly transformative. This approach aligns with the original vision of the Ossabaw Island Project, which prioritized immersive experiences over specific creative outputs.
The first group of artists, scheduled for October 24–31, includes Jessica Rankin, Le’Andra LeSeur, Michi Meko, Blanche Nettles Powers, Dana W. Richardson, and Claire Sherman. The second group, visiting from April 27 to May 4, comprises Shanequa Gay, Marsalis Eason, Sonya Yong James, Dionne Lee, Beili Liu, and Jerome Meadows. These artists were selected from a pool of nominees by an advisory committee, with a focus on creating a diverse, multidisciplinary cohort.
Earl explained that the goal is to bring together artists from various disciplines to encourage broad conversations about place, history, ecology, and artistic processes. This interdisciplinary exchange is expected to allow artists to think expansively, inspired by the island's unique environment. The new program draws inspiration from the historic Ossabaw Island Project, which operated from 1961 to 1982 and hosted renowned artists, writers, and composers like Agnes Denes, Margaret Atwood, and Samuel Barber. This historical context is currently explored in an exhibition at the Telfair Museums in Savannah.
The island holds personal significance for Earl, as her parents met there as residents of the original program in the 1970s. This personal connection reinforces her dedication to reviving the residency, ensuring that future generations of artists can benefit from similar transformative experiences. The Ossabaw Island Foundation, a partner in this new venture, was established in 1994 to promote educational, cultural, and scientific engagement with the island while preserving its resources. Earl's collaboration with the foundation, along with local artist Betsy Cain and curator Beryl Gilothwest (grandson of original founder Sandy West), led to the formalization of the revived program.
Many artists, including Suzanne Jackson, who has lived in Savannah since the 1990s, have experienced the profound impact of Ossabaw Island. Jackson, whose foundation now supports the residency, described her time there as walking "jagged paths" and exploring "interior forests," highlighting the island's raw, untamed, and mystical qualities. ARTS Southeast, originally founded in 2014 as an artist-led space, officially became a nonprofit five years ago. Its mission has always been to provide space for artists and build community, evolving from local artist residencies to international programs and initiatives supporting emerging artists with studio space.
The re-establishment of the Ossabaw Island Residency marks a significant expansion of ARTS Southeast's commitment to supporting artists. By offering a retreat in such a unique and inspiring location, the organization aims to provide an invaluable opportunity for creative growth and interdisciplinary exchange. This endeavor reflects a deep understanding of the importance of dedicated artistic space, particularly in a natural setting far removed from urban environments.