The overlap of the Kerr County floods and my work examining the Hurricane Helene flooding did allow space to engage viewers in conversation about the increased frequency of these extreme events. I found these conversations cathartic and reassuring and hopefully others came away with similar feelings.

One thing I found myself longing for in the first year of my son’s life were those stretches of uninterrupted time to read, think, journal, and sketch that now feel so rare. I’m so grateful to Parts and Labor for creating a supportive environment that allowed for this. I spent a good portion of my residency making plans for a new body of work.

“When I reflect on my time at the Parts+Labor residency, the word that rises to the surface is hospitality. Hospitality often shows up as care: shared meals, thoughtful gestures, inclusion, hosting, and the gift of time and space. These same qualities are deeply connected to the idea of ritual. In that sense, I’ve come to see my time at the residency as a kind of creative ritual—one held and uplifted by extraordinary hospitality.”

“It was cathartic and encouraging to chat with so many people with similar interests, backgrounds, and families, sort of living in a parallel universe (Texas) from my own in NYC. Not only did I make some new work while spending quality time with my family away from the daily life hustle, but I think I made some long distance lifelong friends as well.”

“My month at the Parts & Labor Residency was the first time in recent memory, maybe my whole life, when I was able to devote all my time to art and family.”

“This might be the most supported I’ve felt at any residency, because I didn’t need to leave my family behind. We are endlessly grateful for this opportunity and to Meaghan, Liz and Matt for their vision and hospitality.”

“All in all, I had the opportunity to make work that I believe is the beginning of a lot of other work, and I think thats the idea at Parts & Labor. Thanks 1 million times to all of the humans down there keeping things going.”

I don’t think making art and caregiving are incompatible but the total lack of structural support, in the art world and the world at large, makes it a huge challenge. We need more programs like these that keep artist parents making work.

Meg Lipke’s time at Parts & Labor led to a kind of breakthrough in the studio. . .

Melina Gac Levin reflects on her time at Parts & Labor.