Sonoma Community Center

Enriching lives through education and the arts — for Sonoma Valley and beyond

Ceramics Residency Program

Sonoma Ceramic Artist in Residence Program at Sonoma Community Center

The Ceramic Artist in Residence program offers a self-directed emerging or established ceramic artist a supportive work environment to explore ideas and create a cohesive body of work. We offer two, 6-month, all-inclusive residencies per year for potters or ceramic sculptors.

THE QUICK SNAPSHOT

private housing included (no cost)
$750/month stipend
24 hour access to studio
free glazing/firing fees
month long solo exhibition
tech/kiln training; learn electric, gas, soda, and raku firing and maintenance through 20 hours a week of work for the department.

Residency Application – Currently Closed
Kate Rusek, Resident Artist Fall/Winter

The Breakdown

Located in the heart of Sonoma County’s picturesque wine country, one hour north of San Francisco, and in the quaint downtown of Sonoma, this residency is designed to benefit those who are dedicated to the ceramics medium and those interested in working closely with our studio members.

The program is open to all ceramic artists living within the United States and culminates with a solo gallery exhibition at the end of the residency period. We love furry friends, but unfortunately we cannot accomodate them in our resident apartment at this time.

Artists receive a stipend of $750/month + lodging + free firing, glazes, and 24 hour studio access

In exchange for the above, artists work 20 hours/week for the studio helping to manage electric, gas, raku, and soda kiln firings, mixing glazes and slips, special event support, and other studio tasks under the supervision of Ceramics Program Director.

Housing is provided at no cost the resident.

The Artist in Residence Apartment is located on the top floor of the Sonoma Community Center, about 30’ down the hall from the Resident Artist’s semi-private studio.  This apartment originally was the Principal’s quarters when this building was the Sonoma Grammar School, built in 1916. It has a double bed, futon, table, bathroom, and kitchenette with a double burner hot plate, toaster oven, coffee maker, complete with dishware, utensils etc. Linens and towels are provided and utilities are included in the Residency package.

Unfortunately at this time, the community center does not allow pets to accompany our residents unless they are a registered service animal.

The resident artist is selected through a jury process which evaluates artistic merit, and proven studio/material competency as represented by the artist’s portfolio, resume, letter of intent, and professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For further inquiries contact: Meg Billingham meg@sonomacommunitycenter.org

Residency Application

  • January-June 2024; applications already closed
  • July-December 2024; applications closed
  • Jan-June 2025; applications closed

Sonoma Community Center’s values are community, innovation, creativity, inclusion, and leadership. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

Sonoma Community Center strongly encourages individuals from marginalized and underrepresented groups to apply. Sonoma Community Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Current & Past Resident Artists

Spring/Summer Residents

Haylie Jimenez, 2024; Spring/Summer

Fred Dewitt, 2023: Spring/Summer

Tab Link, 2022: Spring/Summer

Anela Ming-Yue Oh, 2021: Spring / Summer

Maxwell Mustardo, 2020 Spring / Summer

Jared Peterson, 2019 Spring / Summer

Naomi Clement, 2018 Spring / Summer

Colby Charpentier, 2017: Spring / Summer

Brittany Rea, 2016: Spring / Summer

Chris Allen, 2015: Spring / Summer

Miles Votek, 2014: Spring / Summer

Julia Feld, 2013: Spring / Summer

Tyler Nansen, 2012: Spring / Summer

Sunshine Cobb, 2011: Spring / Summer

Katie Morris, 2010: Spring / Summer

K.C. Welch, 2009: Spring / Summer

Fall/Winter Residents

Kate Rusek, 2024 Fall/Winter

Dan Clauson, 2023; Fall/Winter

Reniel Del Rosario, 2022: Fall/Winter

Gabo Martinez, 2021: Fall/Winter

Seong Weon Joanne Lee, 2019: Fall / Winter

Claire Thibodeau, 2018: Fall / Winter

Karl Schwiesow, 2017: Fall / Winter

Austyn Taylor, 2016: Fall / Winter

Xia Zhang, 2015: Fall / Winter

Tony Wise, 2014: Fall / Winter

Jessica Fong, 2013: Fall / Winter

Bobby Free, 2012: Fall / Winter

Lauren Henriksen, 2011: Fall / Winter

Jill Oberman, 2010: Fall / Winter

Jules Stout, 2009: Fall / Winter

Owen Nelsen, 2008: Fall / Winter

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