Painting by Syndee Pine, Alchemy 2017, Hillier
Food, Art, Garden, Community
Alchemy is an artist-led international residency designed to explore the synergy between artistic and culinary practices in community settings. Since 2015, 70 diverse artists from three continents have participated in Alchemy. These artists often form collaborations that last beyond their time in residence.
A community setting for inquiry and discovery
Since 2015, Alchemy has taken place both on the Toronto Islands and in rural Prince Edward County, Ontario. Selected participating artists call upon a variety of mediums ranging from visual arts, sculpture, photography, craft, cooking, performance art, writing or video. Artists share their work and practice, while also contributing to lively salon style communal dinners.
Readings and discussions probe the creative intersection of food and art. Guest talks from artists, chefs, winemakers and community members help us better understand the magic and inspiration created by making and sharing art, food. and ideas.
Table Settings: Alchemy's Response to COVID 19
Artist residencies around the world have been seriously impacted by COVID 19. For Alchemy, we no longer have the ability to gather together around art and food making and sharing. These simple acts are among the most profound, immediate, and means to foster human connections. We have taken this time to consider ideas and programming that can be relevant and meaningful to our communities. Read about Table Settings, our 2020 community engagement project in rural Prince Edward County.
Alchemy is facilitated by two strong advocates for these ideas: Claire M. Tallarico and Tonia Di Risio.
To meet Claire and Tonia and the 70 plus artists who have contributed to our collaborative efforts to date, visit the next section.
Guest Artist Deborah Margo at Open Studio
Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council
Alchemists Claire M. Tallarico and Deborah Margo received an Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Grant to support their collaborative participation in Alchemy 2018’s Hillier Hall Open House event, Many thanks to the OAC for their invaluable help.