A Residency for Inquiry and Engagement

Where does Alchemy Island 2025 take place?

Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts (formerly known as Artscape) is a peaceful artist retreat nestled against the magnificent natural backdrop of Toronto Island. It offers a distraction-free environment to focus on art creation amidst the natural surroundings of Lake Ontario, forests and seasonal gardens filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The island has tiny quaint homes, a historic lighthouse, a hobby farm and antique carnival grounds. Cozy up in a furnished studio and bedroom and enjoy amenities such as a fully equipped common kitchen, shared bathrooms, laundry facilities and WIFI. The Toronto city core is just a 15-minute ferry ride away. 

What happens at Alchemy Island?

A combination of studio time, guest artist talks, and down time for yourself to work and explore the Island. Our programming schedule is shared with residents during orientation.  

How do I get to Toronto Island?

Toronto Island is the largest car free community in North America.  It is accessible from downtown Toronto by ferry.  For the ferry schedule, visit this page.  When you arrive for Alchemy, you will travel to Hanlan’s Point, which is a 10-minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk from Hanlan’s dock. The Centre picks up arriving artists by minivan or bus.

Downtown Toronto is easily accessible from Union Station, Billy Bishop and Pearson Airports. 

How do I get around the Island?

You can either bring a bike (if you live in Toronto) or potentially rent or borrow one on the Island for our Residency.
 

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival, you will meet the other Alchemy residents and Art Hubs staff, attend a mandatory informative orientation, and receive your keys and room assignments.  You will have time to settle in before our first dinner together. 

Is cooking and eating together part of the Residency?

Yes! Dinners are part of the programming – so your attendance and participation is expected!

A group dinner and kitchen orientation are provided for the first night of our residency. Then we help you and the rest of the group coordinate shared dinners for most other nights. Dinners and the discussions that go with them are a key focal point of our shared time together. Saying they are mandatory sounds harsh but if you aren’t into sharing food, then you would be better suited to another residency. 

Does everyone who attends Alchemy cook?  I am worried about my culinary skills being as good as everyone else’s. 

Part of Alchemy’s themed programming revolves around the preparing and sharing of food in a communal setting. Please don’t worry about your culinary skills — this is about sharing good simple food and not creating a French impressionist painting on a plate. We have, over the years, learned what it takes to share our evening meals together and minimize the work to make it happen. We want to maximize the studio time people have to create and collaborate. 

There are also nights when you are on your own to eat in town, stay in your studio or have dinner with a smaller group. 

Are food costs included? 

In your residency fee, six shared suppers, breakfast and lunch provisions for days one and two and lunch for day two are included. You will likely want to bring some of your own snacks and favourite condiments or special food to share. While there are possibly leftovers for lunch or snacks, artists responsible for all other meals or snacks. 

Can you accommodate allergies or food restrictions? 

Food allergies and restrictions will be accommodated as best as we can – which has become pretty good over the years. We cannot guarantee nut-free facilities. There may or may not be a cat in residence. Be prepared for a waterside setting.

Is there a refund policy if I pay and then have a scheduling conflict?

Refunds are in the event of a documented medical or family emergency. Cancellation fees are offered only if you cancel a minimum of 40 days prior to the first day of the residency, The application fee is nonrefundable. 

Is there a formal exhibition at the end of the Residency?

 

Rather than a formal show, we facilitate an Open Studio Day and work sharing between participants and a wider community. A short and informal artist talk about each participants’ practice to the residency group is programmed early in the week. 

You will get the low down on how all this works closer to our opening date. 

How much does Island Alchemy 2025 cost?

Cost in Canadian dollars plus applicable taxes: $1350 plus for a private room, studio space, guest arts talks, programming and food costs for six shared dinners and breakfast and lunch for Day 2. There is HST only on the accommodation of the fee. If you are considering applying from the United States, please check out the exchange rate – it is in your favour! 

Does Alchemy offer stipends or bursaries? 

Whenever possible we offer grants to participating artists to lower their costs, but we're not quite there yet for artists accepted to Alchemy Island 2025. We do write letters of support. And we encourage Canadian artists to apply for funding from other granting sources as appropriate.
 

Are there other costs?
 

Renting a bike is optional. Your travel expenses to and from the residency are not arranged or covered. For food, we supply the basic ingredients for the breakfast and lunch on day 2 and six shared dinners.  Most participants choose to make, share or contribute ingredients for a special meal, and everyone is expected to pay for their own snacks and wine. 

What if I have to leave early or arrive late?
 

We ask participating artists to be sure they can be present for the entire residency. We cannot accommodate late arrivals or early departures as it changes the group dynamic for everyone. 

Is the Centre fancy?

No. Alchemy strives to maintain a very relaxed atmosphere-- one in which creative people can both work hard and relax. 

Does Alchemy provide sheets, towels, etc.? 

Yes. We provide sheets and towels. Please bring your own beach towels. 

Does Alchemy provide laundry service?

No. There is a coin operated laundry at Gibraltar Point. 

Does the Residency provide art supplies? 

Alchemy is strictly a bring-your-own affair. There are no stores on the Island- you are welcome to go into the city and buy and haul supplies back – all of which does take away from studio time Best to be prepared and bring your own supplies. We provide the space and a well-sized worktable and  opportunities for foraging. 

What about Internet access?
 

There is 24/7 Wi-Fi. 

Can I bring my spouse/partner/studio mate/small child/ pet?

We want you to focus on your work and the programming designed especially for participants. Overnight guests are not part of the program. You may invite a day guest as long as the planned program is not disrupted. Programmed dinners usually cannot accommodate day guests. 

I heard Artscape was in receivership- is there any danger of the Centre closing before the Residency?

Artscape – the former operator of our site, has recently completed the receivership process. Gibraltar Point is now managed by ArtHubs.Inc, funding and a commitment to keep the doors open are firmly in place. 

Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts has just celebrated its 25th birthday in the fall of 2024.  Alchemy is part of a proud tradition of offering magical artist residencies at Gibraltar Point. If you haven’t attended a residency on the Island, or even if you have – a recent story by Artist Jamie Ross will have you dreaming about applying to one https://cmagazine.com/articles/gibraltar-point-a-transition. 

What about Alchemy in Prince Edward County? (PEC)? Are you offering a residency there this year? 

Our summer plans in the County will be a small by invitation only residency for 2025. For more information about how to be considered for our summer programming, please send an email to info@makealchemy.com 

How do I learn what others have to say about their Alchemy experiences? 

In the meantime, visit www.makealchemy.com to meet the artists who have participated in our residencies both on the Island and in Prince Edward County. In addition to their work, some have posted comments about their residency experience. 

Is there an on boarding process for the Residency?

For those whose applications result in an invitation to join us on the Island, you will be asked to attend a pre arrival onboarding session online and sign a Community Residency Agreement prior to the start of the Residency. These extra steps go a long way to insure that everyone is on a good path for a positive residency experience.