We have had a successful partnership with GSU for the past two years via a Distinguished Fellowship offered specifically for a GSU MFA student. Initially, it was envisioned that this Fellowship would benefit a third year MFA student ready to graduate and launch their career. However, after the first year, it became clear that this Fellowship would have greater benefit for a second year student.  The two weeks that the second year student could spend with professional artists would have more of a career trajectory impact before they began their final year of study. We worked with GSU and the donors to make this possible. Here is the response from the student: “I am writing to express my most sincere gratitude and appreciation for the Hambidge Residency Fellowship you have so graciously awarded me.  The two weeks I spent at Hambidge were unimaginably helpful and enjoyable. The Kathleen G. Williams award of excellence I received in 2015-2016 preceded this Hambidge residency. Your continued support of my practice has allowed me to make tangible my most ambitious goals in art making. With your support, I have been able grow immeasurably as an artist and person, as well as, refine and master the processes and techniques relevant to my practice.  The environment and landscape at the Hambidge Center provided the inspiration for my current body of work and my fellow cohorts consistently challenged, motivated and encouraged me throughout our time together. I am very proud of the work I am leaving the residency having made and feel energized to make more new work in the same vein.

I leave having made great new friends and having gained a better understanding of the techniques I regularly employ in my practice.  I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity. I will update my website (www.joehadden.com) with images of the work made here at Hambidge but would also love to have you over for a studio visit (if you are interested) to talk more in depth about the work. Your gracious support has been so helpful in my art career, as I am sure that it has been in so many others.  Thank you for all of your generosity.

Sincerely, Joe Hadden