AIR Vallauris
Located in the heart of the old town Vallauris, on the French Riviera, A.I.R. Vallauris (Artists in Residence), a non-profit association, welcomes artists from around the world to its lodgings and studios to meet with local artists and to research and create new works. Entering its 18th season, A.I.R. Vallauris has welcomed over 300 international artists since its conception in 2001.The Association has three primary objectives:
- Hosting of international artists and the support of contemporary creation.
- Education in (primarily, but not exclusively) the field of ceramic arts.
- The organisation and realisation of cultural events.
Artists in Residence: A.I.R. Vallauris accommodates several artists at a given time in its residence and studios. Using different mediums artists (ceramists, sculptors, painters, photographers, video and multimedia) work from an equipped studio, live in individual furnished spaces and are given access to a gallery where their works are displayed at the end of their residency period. Media involvement encourages the interest of an invited and engaged audience. The quality of artistic creation is one of the major concerns addressed by the program. A selection committee evaluates applicants based on their artistic experience, merit and project proposal.
Beside the standard residency program, AIR Vallauris also offers the Atelier Tremplin program, specifically formulated for recent graduates of ceramic schools; undergraduates or graduate curriculum. The goal of the Atelier Tremplin is to provide a staircase for new graduates that will assist them in making their advancement into increasingly skilled and competent practice.
Exhibition.
The 3 studios are located in the old town, 100m from the residency. Artists have 24-hour access to the studios. Their new studio has been completely renovated and newly equipped with kilns, wheels, slab roller and spray booth.
The residency, a "Maison de Village", is located in the Place Lisnard, in the historical old town of Vallauris. Various shops and the local market are located next to the residency. Each resident has an independent bedroom. A common kitchen is provided for meal preparation.
Vallauris is situated in Côte d’azur region in Southern France. It is effectively an extension of the town of Antibes, 15 minutes away from Cannes, Nice, Mougin, Valbone and the Mediterranean Sea. Vallauris was the home of Pablo Picasso from 1948 to 1955 and until his death in 1973, he remained the honoured citizen of the town. During the period of residing in Vallauris, he created a great number of artworks including War and Peace and contributed enormously to the ceramic culture heritage of the town. Nowadays, Vallauris attracts a lot of tourists and artists to the region which makes the town a unique setting for the residence ‘s artists.