Conception Harbour artist earns month long residency in Ireland

Conception Harbour artist Susan Furneaux of Black Hen Studio will be heading to Fort Dunree, Ireland for a month-long residency this July to study natural colour in naturally occurring textile materials in northern climates. The residency was awarded through a partnership with Eastern Edge Gallery and Artlink.

The residency comes on the heels of Furneaux being awarded the Endurance Award by Visual Arts Newfoundland Labrador. The award recognizes the consistent dedication and commitment of an artist to their professional practice, and to sustained creative output and performance.
“I am so honoured by this award,” said Furneaux. “It has been a marvellous 25 years. I would like to thank all the organizations that make it easier to be a career artist. Groups like the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Anna Templeton Centre, Arts NL, Eastern Edge Gallery and Visual Arts NL work behind the scenes so our visual arts can flourish. Also, a big shout out to the College of the North Atlantic and the Grenfell Campus, who produce top-notch emerging artists every year; they are the lifeblood of our industry.”
Beyond her own work, Furneaux is mentoring L’nu/Mi’kmaw artist Nicole Travese in the traditional skill of bark tanning seal with spruce, a project funded by Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador.