The Artist in Residence Program
Art, History, and Nature
The Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum Artist in Residence (AIR) program provides a unique opportunity for visual artists, writers, composers, and researchers to explore the intersections of history, nature, and memory within our historic grounds.
This program is essential to Bellefontaine advancing the cause of being a premier cultural institution in the region. It fosters a creative dialogue, allowing artists to draw inspiration from the Cemetery's rich tapestry of funerary architecture, diverse arboreal collection, and the profound stories of those interred here. The resulting work enriches our communityβs understanding of the Cemetery as a dynamic cultural landscape.
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The Bellefontaine Cemetery AIR program is a structured opportunity designed to facilitate the creation of new work rooted in the artist's experience of the site.
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- Duration: Residencies typically last for twelve months.
- Exhibition Rotation: The AIR's work is displayed in the Willow Gatehouse, with pieces rotating three times per year to showcase the evolution of their residency.
- Access & Research: Artists gain unparalleled access to the Cemetery's grounds, historical archives, and specialized staff for research purposes.
- Public Engagement: Each AIR agrees to attend three featured events throughout the year, which provide the public with an opportunity for Q&A and appreciation of their work.
- Contribution: The AIR will agree to create one piece of art that is donated to Bellefontaine Cemetery at the end of their term.
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The Artist in Residence is expected to actively use the Cemetery environment as a primary source of inspiration. The work produced should reflect themes related to the history, landscape, architecture, or the emotional significance of the site.
Spotlight: Current and Past Residents
This Year's Resident:
Announced Soon! (2026)
Check back for more information soon!
Second Resident:
Erin Johnston (2025)
Our 2025 Artist in Residence, Erin Johnston, explored the inseparable relationship between mortality and the earth through a special editioned print portfolio.
- Project Focus: Erin is translating archival Cemetery lot diagrams into steel etching plates, layered with imagery referencing the siteβs historical evolutionβfrom tallgrass prairie and orchard to rural and city Cemetery.
- Technique: Each diagram is paired with a small multicolor lithograph portrait of the ground itself. The diagrams frame the discussion of change, while the ground portraits capture ephemeral moments, prompting reflection on mortality and regeneration.
Inaugural Resident:
Charles Turnell (2024)
Charles Turnell served as Bellefontaine's inaugural Artist-in-Residence, launching the program with a series of introspective fine art installations displayed at the Willow Gatehouse.
- Artistic Process: Charles creates mosaic-style fine art by assembling photographs of flowers, plants, and landscapes (his "little pieces of glass") to form final, abstract images. His pieces include core elements that balance color schemes, senses of color, and composition.
- Installations: His debut installation included three pieces titled βHope,β βLove,β and βPinocchio.β These works, along with subsequent rotations, were displayed at the Willow Gatehouse.
- Community Contribution: During his residency, Charles invited the public to participate in his creative process by submitting their best photos of flowers or scenery at the Cemetery to help create the color palette for the final mosaic piece gifted to Bellefontaine.
Apply to the Residency
We invite applications from professional artists who demonstrate a serious commitment to their discipline and a clear vision for creating work inspired by Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Call for Proposals
Applications are accepted annually between September 1 and November 30. Please check the requirements below and submit your proposal during the open window for the next available cycle.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Joe Shields, Director of Development, at: 314- 381-0750