Current Artist-In-Residence:
Mengya Zhao
Mengya Zhao, Szechuan whispers: echoes of home and heart, 2023.
Mengya Zhao is a multidisciplinary artist primarily focusing on ceramic sculptures. She also explores her imaginative world through printmaking, illustration, and various forms of paper art. Her work delves into the space between reality and the imaginary, often highlighting subtle peculiarities in daily life. Mengya has participated in several public projects, including the Vancouver Mural Festival and the Suzhou Alley Women Mural in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She draws on her Asian heritage and cultural references to offer a unique perspective on human experiences, aiming to find commonality and foster open conversations with viewers through her art.
Artist Statement:
” For this residency, I will explore the theme of “Minor Discomfort” through wearable ceramic art and larger sculptures. My project involves crafting porcelain pieces that can be assembled into a whole or separated, inspired by tools used to manage physical limitations. These pieces highlight the subtle challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
My work is deeply influenced by my experiences as an Asian Canadian artist with hearing loss. This journey has heightened my awareness of minor discomforts that significantly impact daily life. I aim to create both functional wearable art and larger sculptures that reflect my unique cultural background, my immigrant experience, and my personal journey with hearing loss.
Through this project, I will raise questions about what is considered “normal” and how extra precautions might alter perceptions. By examining the emotional and social nuances of physical limitations, I hope to encourage viewers to re-examine their perceptions and interactions.
This residency will provide the time, space, and resources needed to fully develop this concept, pushing the boundaries of my artistic practice. Ultimately, my goal is to use art to bridge gaps in understanding and experience, promoting empathy and awareness through my work. “
Mengya Zhao, Minor discomfort: tendons, 2024.
Mengya Zhao, mythic convergence, 2024.
Ceramic, Glass, and Enamel Arts TD Residency
For Black, Indigenous, and Underrepresented Peoples and Communities
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is excited to re-launch our artist-in-residence program with a focus on artists who are Black, Indigenous, and/or who identify as Underrepresented Peoples/Communities with the support of TD Bank Group. The TD Residency will enable two emerging artists to undertake a fully funded 8-week residency at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario each year. Residents will be equipped with a working studio space, an honorarium, materials, and mentorship as they complete a body of work. Artists-in-residence will also engage the local community through public programs at the Gallery and produce digital content to be shared across the country.
Artists are eligible to work in ceramics, fused glass, stained glass, or vitreous enamel. Artists must work in the studio 35 hours per week for a period of 8 weeks. One residency will be offered Fall 2023 (roughly October-December) and one residency in Winter 2024 (roughly February-April). Each selected resident will receive an honorarium of $6,500 for travel and living expenses and will have access to a budget of $500 for materials and specialized tools. During the residency, the selected artist will be expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week supporting the Gallery through studio operations, workshops, and other relevant duties. Following completion of the residency, the artist’s work may be presented in a public display at the Gallery or offered for sale in the Gallery Shop and Shop Online (standard consignment agreement applies).
This program is generously supported
by TD Bank Group
Previous Residencies
In 2021-2022, the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery offered an artist residency program in ceramics and glass with the generous support of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund. This series of residencies was a successful pilot project to support emerging Canadian artists working in clay, glass, and enamel. Artists worked on-site at the gallery creating new pieces, researching their practice, and supporting gallery programs.
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