Step 1: Make

Step 2: Photograph

Step 3: Apply

Step 4: Move your entire life to a different country.

About a year and a half ago I was in my last semester of graduate school, soon to receive my MFA at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and attempting to figure out what I wanted to do after – that dreaded question of ‘What’s next?’ I decided to apply for residencies and arts administration positions – galleries, museums, etc. Post-undergrad and pre-grad school I had worked as a bench jeweler. I had gained that invaluable experience and knew it was not something I wanted to continue in, so I was looking for opportunities that would allow me to continue my studio practice, or would build off of my experience managing a community arts program for children at SUNY.

I saw a residency application for Harbourfront Centre in Toronto and figured, why not? The application is pretty standard, as residency apps go – photos of work, an artist statement, and a letter of intent. I sent in my application, and promptly forgot about it. (Remember, I’m in the final semester of grad school trying to finish all of my thesis works.) The next step of the process is an interview in Toronto with current resident artist in the studio you applied for, as well as the director of the Craft and Design program, the assistant to Craft and Design, and two artistic advisors, working professionals in the field. Upon invitation to interview, I determined that this opportunity was worth it to fly up to Toronto for less than 24-hrs to show my commitment, despite my thesis show being a month away and many pieces still half finished on my bench.

Facing a room of ten people seated around and incredibly large, half-empty table, I gave a short presentation of my work, answered questions, and brought out work samples. I flew back to New York feeling decent about the interview, though with realistic expectations. Two days later I received an email congratulating me on being selected as one of two new resident artists in the Metal studio and emotions of excitement, disbelief, and fear washed over me. I promptly accepted without actually figuring out how I was going to legally get to Canada for (at least) a year.

The residency program at HFC offers residents a fully outfitted studio space, two artistic advisors working within the field, programming specific to residents, teaching opportunities, sales opportunities, and community – there are 4 other studios with up 6 residents in ceramics, glass, and textiles, and 2 in design. Residents are required to put in 3 days a week in the studio, which is public facing. Upon a yearly review process, contracts can be renewed for an additional two years.

I knew if I didn’t want to get turned around at the border (I had heard stories, and a car full of weird tools raises suspicions), I needed to consult an immigration lawyer. I knew this also, because through my extensive internet scouring on the US immigration website and the Canadian immigration website, I couldn’t get any straight information on what processes were available to me. The most important part being I needed to be able to legally work, and stay for a year minimum.

Contrary to popular belief, getting a work permit for Canada is just as hard as any other country – I’m still immigrating, even though we’re neighbors. I found a lawyer in Toronto who was wonderful and incredibly helpful – she directed me to a page I had never discovered in my research. The option available to me was to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, which is geared towards young people to explore Canada and work to fund their travels. The problem is, the US doesn’t have that agreement with Canada, so I would need to go through a 3rd party agency who was allotted a number of visas by the government to give to US citizens. That number is small. And the majority of agencies had none left.

I was prepared to write to HFC and ask to defer, because it wasn’t looking great. While writing my email I was waiting to hear from one agency if they had any available visas left – they did. But, to secure one (pending application with the government) I needed to act fast, which also meant paying a fee of almost $6,000. Full transparency – it was difficult, stressful, moved incredibly fast, and was expensive. I’m sure I could have gone with my passport as a visitor, found some off-the-books-job, and risked being never allowed back into Canada if ever I was found out, but I decided to do it the legal way. I applied for and received a Working Holiday Visa, allowing me to work legally in Canada for one year.

A year after my arrival in Canada I’m back in New York, as the process to stay was more of the same, and with the uncertainty of Covid-19, I made the difficult decision to move back. That’s not to say I didn’t want to stay. I arrived in Toronto knowing only a few people, which definitely made my transition easier, but almost none within the jewelry and metals community.

My life in Toronto was busy, incredibly busy. I worked 7 days a week between my two jobs, time in the studio, and teaching in the evenings. Many fellow residents lived similar lives. Despite this, I would have done it for two more years, and many residents do. Although stressful, I wouldn’t have changed my experience and I am incredibly grateful to all at HFC for the opportunity. I am part of a metals community I wasn’t before, keep in touch with many residents and former residents (as I said – large community) across disciplines, was able to continue my practice, making work in a supportive and creative environment, and made Toronto a second home.

Thanks to HFC and the incredible community that it builds and fosters, I was welcomed with open arms and open hearts to the jewelry community, forming deep friendships, professional contacts, and access to new opportunities. Because of the way the HFC residency is structured, one must have a part-time job (unless independently wealthy) to support themselves. This can be viewed as a downside to the residency – it’s not uninterrupted making time, it doesn’t come with housing, and it doesn’t come with a stipend. But it does come with a fully furnished studio, which many residencies do not. The international residency experience will be different for everyone and depends on the program, the country, and the person. I can only speak to my experience and although I had friends in the city before moving, I would have taken the leap even if I didn’t. I have a feeling I would have had a positive experience regardless, as the people HFC attracts are warm and welcoming. Understand you’re moving to a different country, with different customs, traditions, suppliers, retailers, and currencies. You will encounter challenges in trying to continue your practice and life as it was, because you won’t be able to. But you can grow, learn, join new communities, form new relationships, and experience something very different than if you participated in a residency in the US.