residencies
We have been developing more in-depth ways to partner with communities across the US through Residencies. These experiences go beyond a one-time wing-making workshop and include other creative components to foster deeper conversations and compassionate connection about loss, grief, and mortality.
A Residency can include any combination of the following programs:
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Mini wing-making workshops - one or a series
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Play Reading & Discussion Event - local actors read excerpts from or the full playscript of Death Wings followed by a facilitated, interactive discussion
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Story Sharing Event - a gathering of people who have created mini-wings through workshops who then share the story of their wings with the wider community
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Open Studio - community members are invited to visit with and help core artist Bess Welden as she creates a large set of death wings
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Death Wings Art Exhibit - displaying one or more sets of large wings created by Bess Welden along with mini-wings created by community members through workshops
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Collective Wing-Making - community members choose a person or event they want to commemorate as a group and gather together to create a large set of wings with the help of a facilitator
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Workshop Facilitation Training - community members who have previously participated in a workshop can train to become facilitators to serve others in their home community
We're excited to co-create Residencies with organizational partners who offer programming in the arts, mental health, end-of-life, spiritual/religious ritual, and any other community-focused group. We can tailor our offerings to meet the needs of the people you serve.
To inquire about building a Residency together, email deathwingsproject@gmail.com.
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2024 Residency Partnerships
Waterville, ME
January-May 2024
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three mini wing-making workshops
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play excerpt reading and story-sharing program
funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and realized in partnership with the Colby College Museum of Art and its Lunder Institute for American Art.
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
San Diego, CA
March 2024 - ongoing
funded in part by the Shomer Collective
Inn Along the Way at Chapman Farm
Damariscotta, ME
11-14 July 2024
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Open Studio with Bess Welden
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play excerpt reading & discussion
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mini-wing-making workshop
funded by The Simmons Foundation
Pre-dead Social Club at 3S Artspace
Portsmouth, NH
September 2024
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mini wing-making workshop
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presented in conjunction with Each Has Their Grief, works by visual artist Peter Bruun
funded by 3S Artspace
Wings & photo by Val Lovelace.