Tessa Graham’s Artlink Residency Exchange Experience!

September 22, 2023

• Artlink
• International Residency Exchange
• Tessa Graham

Recently, artist Tessa Graham went to Ireland for the International Atlantic Residency Exchange program with Artlink! Read on to hear about Tessa’s experience, and see some photos below!

Exploring Fort Dunree, Co. Donegal

“This past summer I took part in the Artlink Exchange Residency between Eastern Edge and Artlink in Fort Dunree, Co. Donegal, Ireland. For four weeks I was able to build my art practice by connecting with the beautiful coastal landscape of northern Donegal. I had lived in Waterford City for a semester during my undergrad and was ecstatic to return to Ireland to take part in this residency exchange.

During my residency I was set up in the Potting Shed where I was able to focus on documentation processes, film photography and writing while also experimenting with natural dyes local to the area. I foraged fireweed, yarrow, heather and meadowsweet (pictured below) to create a catalog of dye samples for future projects. While there, I also held a photography workshop and nature scavenger hunt for beginner photographers in Swan Park in Buncrana, Donegal. 

As this was my first experience with an international residency, it allowed me the time and space to process ideas, experiment with new techniques and media all while exploring new parts of Ireland I had not visited. In addition to roaming around Fort Dunree, I was able to visit the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Malin’s Head, Giant’s Causeway, Seamus Heaney’s HomePlace, Grianan of Aileach and many more. I am so grateful to have taken part in this opportunity and look forward to finding my way back in the near future!”