Abbott Watts Residency for Photography

In the fall of 2021, Monson Arts launched a new residency opportunity specifically for photographers. The Abbott Watts Residency for Photography at Monson Arts was established to support imagination, innovation and creative risk-taking for artists using the photographic medium.

This unique opportunity coincides with the general visual arts and writing residencies that take place through out the year at Monson Arts. Five placements per year are reserved for the Abbott Watts Photography Resident. The application process takes place during the general open call for all other residencies. Sessions are 2-weeks or 4-weeks. Each awarded Abbott Watts resident will receive a private bedroom in shared housing in Monson, all meals, and access to the photography studio located nearby in the town of Blanchard (about a 5-10 minute drive from Monson Arts). The Abbott Watts Residency also offers a stipend of $500 for 2-week residencies and $1,000 for 4-week residencies.

The photography studio contains a darkroom that will accommodate silver gelatin printing up to 40” x 50” from negatives 35mm to 8″ x 10”. The darkroom also supports any other analog alternative process.

The facility also includes a private digital studio, with workstation computers, large monitors and Adobe Creative Cloud software. The resident can bring their own computer equipment if they prefer.

In the main studio there is a 44” Epson digital printer, scanners, trimmers and a 48 x 96” dry-mount press. There are both analog and digital cameras available. Residents are expected to supply their own materials, film, paper, chemicals, etc.

DSL broadband is available at the studio in Blanchard and hi-speed fiberoptic internet is available in housing in Monson. Cellular phone service is limited in both locations.

2024 session dates are:

  • 1/22 – 2/15 (four week) Open Call Aug 1 – Sep 15 
  • 3/25 – 4/18 – (four week) Open Call Dec 1 – Jan 15 
  • 5/20 – 5/30 (two week) Open Call Dec 1 – Jan 15
  • 9/9 -10/03 (four week) Open Call April 1 – May 15
  • 11/11 – 12/5 (four week) Open Call April 1 – May 15

For general questions about Monson Arts including housing and accommodations, meals and what’s around, please contact the Monson Arts office at info@monsonarts.org

For questions about the photography studio space, please contact Todd Watts at abbottwatts@monsonarts.org

The Abbott Watts Residency is sponsored in part by Legion Paper – Moab

Follow us on Instagram @abbottwatts_monsonarts

A colorful art studio

Monson Arts resident Chelsea Ellis working in the Abbott Watts photography studio, October 2021

Abbot Watts Darkroom

Abbot Watts Darkroom

The darkroom in Todd Watts' studio offers world-class facilities for analog photography.

The darkroom in Todd Watts' studio offers world-class facilities for analog photography.

The darkroom in Todd Watts' studio offers world-class facilities for analog photography.

The Abbott Watts Residency offers access to the studio of artist Todd Watts in nearby Blanchard, adjacent to the former home of Berenice Abbott.

resident Joanne Dugan in the Abbott Watts Residency.

Inaugural Abbott Watts resident Joanne Dugan, August 2021

The darkroom in Todd Watts' studio offers world-class facilities for analog photography.

Abbott Watts Editing Space

WELCOME

Time and space to create. Monson Arts is a new artists’ residency and arts center in Monson, Maine. Programs include residencies for artists and writers, intensive shorter workshops, and educational partnerships with area secondary schools.