the fields project Bringing Art and Agriculture Together
The Artists
2009 Timeline

March 15, 2009
Application Deadline

March 31, 2009
Application Juried
Applicants Notified

June 20, 2009
Check-In/Introduction of Artists & Farm Host Families Orientation

June 28, 2009
Fields Project Arts Festival
Visiting Artists

Come visit our beautiful Rock River Valley for nine days. We offer the opportunity to live with farm families throughout Ogle County who are eager to share with you their way of life and the knowledge of what is happening in agriculture in the 21st century.

In addition to plein air art and photography, we also offer a hands-on art/agriculture experience by recruiting artists who would like to create a field sculpture that is from 5 to 15 acres in size on a pallet of grassland. This work of art would be designed by the artist and then, with the help of a farmer and his tractor, mow the design onto the grassland. This process takes several days and can be seen and photographed from the air the last three days of your stay.

For plein air painters and photographers, you have the luxury to work as many hours as you choose with a myriad choice of subject matter; as one of the artists commented “everywhere I look there is a picture to paint”

On the Saturday afternoon of your arrival, we have a reception to introduce you to your Farm Host Family. Sunday evening at the Lorado Taft Artist Colony site we tell the story of the heritage of Fine Arts in our community followed by a dinner overlooking the Rock River.

Monday morning we meet at the Oregon Library for breakfast in the art gallery established by Lorado Taft’s Eagles Nest Art Colony. Monday evening we gather at a local church where you can share a bit about yourself and your art with fellow artists and the community. The rest of the time is yours to paint/photograph, or to get together with other artists or your farm family. On Friday, air plane rides are offered to see the field sculptures. Saturday evening results in a food and fun-filled picnic for all participants, farm host families and the committee. Sunday brings the Fine Arts Festival with sculptors and other regional artists where you can show and sell your art.

In the past 10 years we have had 81 artists from 24 states and Canada spend this week with 41 farm families. Many of our farm families have had an artist each year and a number of artists have joined us more than once. One artist wrote after her week with us “Thank you for the terrific time in Ogle County. It was a life-changing week for me …I learned so much about people, farming, art and generosity. Thank you for that gift.” Kathy D. Sisters, OR. We would love to have you join us for this week of Art and Agriculture.

Visiting Artist Application - Download Now
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