Jennifer Printz : Artist in Residence

    Jennifer Printz has been in residency at MERZ since mid-June arriving from Miami, Florida, USA  with funding from Florida International University where she is an assistant professor of studio art. Bringing photographic imagery printed onto Washi, thin Japanese paper, Jennifer worked on a series of mixed-media drawings carefully laying down graphite and coloured pencil to create... Read More

    Daniel Printz : Writer in Residence

    Daniel Printz has been finishing his latest novel, “Nuances of Death in Real-Time” while in residence at MERZ throughout late June and July. The book focuses on the very bold but often contemplated subject of death. In this video, Daniel discusses the book’s three merging storylines that approach the theme of mortality from various viewpoints... Read More

    Lisa Hall : Sound Artist Residency

    Lisa Hall arrived at MERZ for her two week residency with a heavy wheeled suitcase and a smallish rucksac: the suitcase carried a panoply of sound recording, manipulation and playing equipment. In this clip Lisa outlines some of the research as well as practical projects she’s been working on at ZIPStudio and Tadpole on the... Read More

    Olivia Irvine : Work starts on the fresco at MERZ

    Olivia Irvine has begun work on her fresco at MERZ. Working with her mentor Isabelle, Zoomed in from France, Olivia started preparing the rough-cast coats of plaster. This work ahead of a week’s residency with Isabelle in July. This short clip outlines the process involved.

    Anna Seisian : Clothing Designer

    Arriving recently from Ukraine, Anna Seisian is a clothing designer and maker living for the meantime at MERZ. Anna designs and makes clothes and will be setting up her business in Sanquhar with the help of local trades and support of A’ the Airts community arts centre. Anna is looking for outlets for her clothing... Read More

    WORLD COLLAGE DAY 2022 : MERZ

    World Collage Day at MERZ offered the opportunity for curator Denise Zygadlo to bring to Scotland an exhibition from Ireland. Empty Columns: a place to dream was conceived by Ric Kasini Kadour for a festival in the mid Ireland town of Birr. With the local community arts centre in Sanquhar MERZ provided an outlet for... Read More

    Photography in Place Residency at MERZ

    CALL TO ARTISTS Photography in Place Residency A week-long, in-person residency at MERZ Gallery in Sanquhar, Scotland designed for artists working with photography who seek to engage with place in their practice. Using the rural community of Sanquhar, Scotland as a laboratory, artists will spend a week making artwork; learning about the place, its people,... Read More

    Collage Artist Residency Scotland

    CALL TO ARTISTS Collage Artist Residency: Scotland At MERZ Gallery in Sanquhar, Scotland. Designed by Kolaj Institute for collage artists, professional development sessions focus on artist practice: topics include Collage as Artist Practice; Sourcing Materials, Copyright, Appropriation; Developing Materials; Collage in Presentation. During the residency, artists will make an artwork that will be exhibited at... Read More

    Kym Coratin : Artist in Residence

    Kym Coratin is a student at the Open College for the Arts and was in residence from March through April. Kym wrote:- The opportunity to connect with other artists staying here – creatively and socially. Superb surroundings – inspiring/awesome landscape, wonderful walking area – a place to connect with nature – and train station 5... Read More

    John Quirk & Helen Woolston : Play

    John Quirk and Helen Woolston have been animators in residence at MERZ since mid-January. John is completing his masters at the Estonia Academy of Arts, from which Helen graduated recently. At MERZ they have been working with the Board Game Club centre at A’ the Airts community, developing puppetry and animation. Helen has been exploring... Read More

    PLAY : John Quirk and Helen Woolston

    John Quirk and Helen Woolston are animators in residence at MERZ, working with local kids and on their own projects. Their exhibition and films will be shown in the MERZ Gallery at the end of March. “Meet strange beings inspired by Crawick fungi! Test the first video-game set in a fantastical reimagining of Sanquhar!  See... Read More

    SNUG BECOMES SELF-CONTAINED WITH KITCHEN

    A kitchen has recently been added to the Snug at MERZ. All the MERZ ‘domestic’ buildings are now self-contained, with bathroom and kitchen. MERZ offers a variety of studio spaces. When not in use for exhibition the MERZ gallery and Museum of Model Art provide additional working buildings while the No 5 residency has a studio... Read More

    KURT SCHWITTERS NEEDS A PEE

    In the final months of his life Kurt Schwitters visited the MERZ barn at Elterwater to work on his installation. Kurt’s poor health, combined with the cold and wet conditions of Winter 1947, often limited his stay to an hour a day following the bus journey from his digs in Ambleside. Here are a few... Read More

    John Quirk : MERZ Animator in Residence

    John Quirk and Helen Woolston are animators in residence at MERZ. In this interview John outlines work with local children and introduces his video game based on Sanquhar. John and Helen will be exhibiting at MERZ at the end of March, including the public showcase of the Sanquhar Video Game.

    Helen Woolston : MERZ Animator in Residence

    Helen Woolston and John Quirk are animators in residence at MERZ. Helen’s a masters graduate of the animation school in Tallinn, Estonia. Here Helen outlines the work she’s been undertaking while in residence and her plans for screenings and an exhibition with John at the end of March.