About the Open Call

A Position on Retreat invites artists to take a purposeful pause, reconnect with their creativity, and immerse themselves in the serene beauty of Vancouver Island’s temperate rainforest. The residency provides cozy accommodations, digital and traditional studio spaces, and the breathtaking Lake Cowichan as a backdrop, offering artists of all stages a unique setting to reflect, create, and rejuvenate. The Blue House is a comfortable, renovated character home in a central location in the tourist town of Lake Cowichan, within a five-minute walk of groceries, coffee houses, restaurants, beaches, and hiking trails. It features high-speed wifi, a fully equipped kitchen, a second breakfast area, washer and dryer, two full bathrooms, five private bedrooms, and several private and shared indoor and outdoor studio spaces. The residency vision is to provide a conscious position to pause and withdraw, inviting artists to reconnect with themselves and their craft by immersing in the tranquil beauty of Vancouver Island’s temperate rainforest. It is designed to welcome artists from around the world, at all stages of their careers, and across many disciplines, fostering mentorship, friendship, and collaboration. Nestled in the vibrant small town of Lake Cowichan, the location offers proximity to amenities while being surrounded by mossy forests, mountain views, and the shimmering lake, with a Mediterranean climate and easy access to Pacific Ocean beaches and nearby islands. The residency embraces all forms of artistic expression, providing dedicated spaces and resources for both digital and traditional practices. Technical resources include high-end digital cameras and lenses, VR equipment, a projector, and audio-video tools. For traditional media, well-equipped spaces with easels, desks, and ample wall space are provided. The founders, Drs. Brad and Candace Necyk, created the retreat to bring artists to this healing island. Brad Necyk is a visual artist, filmmaker, and writer whose practice spans painting, photography, video, 3D animation, AI, creative coding, blockchain art, and AR/VR experiences. He also offers optional fee-based mentorship sessions.

What is Offered

A self-directed artist residency providing cozy accommodations, digital and traditional studio spaces, high-speed wifi, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, private bedrooms, and studio spaces in The Blue House. It includes bi-monthly nature trips, guidance on technical resources, and access to equipment like high-end digital cameras, 4K HDR Projector, VR equipment, and field recording audio equipment. Optional fee-based mentorship with Dr. Brad Necyk is available for $100 CAD per hour session. Residencies range from two weeks to three months.

Requirements

No pets are allowed due to communal living and resident allergies/comfort. Partners may attend but will incur a residency fee, subject to discussion for reduction based on needs. Artists are responsible for their own travel (flights, car rental or transportation to/from residency, often costing around $75 CAD for a ride with Brad), art supplies, and food (estimated $500 CAD for a month). A non-refundable $400 CAD confirmation deposit is required upon acceptance, and the full residency fee is due one month prior to arrival, becoming non-refundable at that point.

How to Apply

Apply for an artist residency on Vancouver Island via the application form: https://apositiononretreat.com/apply. Upon acceptance, a $400 non-refundable confirmation deposit is required. The full residency fee must be paid one month before your residency begins, at which point it also becomes non-refundable.