space for you to decompress, focus, and play
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space for you to decompress, focus, and play 〰️
The Ou-telier is an intimate, process-based artist residency and writing retreat located in a historic boatbuilding workshop in the beautiful Quw’utsun/Warmland of the Cowichan Valley, the heart of Vancouver Island.
We welcome applications from emerging and established writers, painters, photographers, textile + 2D artists, and host up to four artists at a time.
We’re looking for creatives who demonstrate a commitment to their practice and love hosting folks who are self-directed, focused and kind.
Our hope is that you will leave the residency feeling rested, renewed and inspired.
Amanda Wood, Vancouver-based textile artist.
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The Cowichan Valley / Quw’utsun (the Warmland) on Vancouver Island! We are just outside of downtown Duncan (the city of Totems) on a road that connects with the Great Trail. Accommodations are below the artist studios and look onto Bings Creek.
Located 30 minutes from the Nanaimo (YCD) airport and 1 hour from Victoria (YYJ), Duncan has all the amenities you need for a relaxing and productive stay.
We are a 2 minute drive/10 minute walk to grocery stores, cafes and restaurants, and a 5 minute drive/20 minute walk to our little downtown and Saturday farmer’s market.
Please be aware that although surrounded by nature, we are not in a remote location.
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We are deeply grateful to live and create in the beautiful Cowichan Valley. As guests on these lands we respectfully acknowledge that this is the unceded and traditional Coast Salish territories of the Quw’utsun and the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group including: T'Sou-Ke, Malahat, Halalt, S'tzuminus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Cowichan Lake and Snuneymuxw nations.
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Wake-up with a warm beverage surrounded by nature in the stunning living-room with high ceilings, then wander into your studio with its 100 year old fir floors.
Sit down for some planning at your work-table and peer out the large windows that frame big-leaf maple trees and overlook the creek below. Keep an eye out for soaring eagles, fishing heron and ducks floating by.
Get out of the house in the afternoon and stretch your legs checking out the many cute shops in town or soak in a forest bath on one of the many hiking trails nearby.
Saturday? Check out the bustling year-round farmer’s market for your produce needs, grab a book from Volume One or Ten Old Books, stock up on supplies at Excellent Frameworks, find a treasure at Lulu’s and grab a legendary cinnamon bun from The Garage Cafe.
Come in the late spring and summer for warm days. Retreat into the forest trail at the end of our no-through road or sink into a book in the yard next to the creek. The suite stays cool even in the heat.
Come in the fall or winter with your slippers to get cozy with a project in the studio and use the rainy season as motivation to stay inside and create. Fall and early spring are lush and green here with its own beauty. Snowfall is common through Nov - Feb, but often only lasts briefly.
More recommendations and information provided on acceptance.
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Living above a year-round creek is an ever-changing gift.
Common seasonal sightings include Great Blue Heron (who likes to fish in the shallow bed above the little waterfall), Barred Owls, Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and an assortment of seasonal Island friends like the Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers, Thrushes, tiny Chickadees and the fuchsia-faced Anna’s Hummingbird.
so much to explore
where else will your trip take you? locations below are all within 20 mins of The Ou
take time, take it easy
your home away from it all
uninterrupted studio time
each artist is assigned their own 10’ x 20’ studio space with work-tables, a large window and wall-space
detail oriented
accommodation + amenities
Minutes from a 200km forest trail that follows the creek and winds through towering cedars and big-leaf maples, The Ou has been renovated to create a sense of ease and to bring in views of the surrounding nature. The Great Room, with its modern fireplace, fir floors, 12’ ceilings and windows on all sides is a perfect place to unwind and decompress.
Your thoughtfully appointed private bedroom in a shared suite includes:
WIFI (fast enough for video calls and streaming)
Hot water + heat
Bedding
Bathroom supplies: towels, shampoo, conditioner
Dishwasher, stove, microwave, washer and dryer
Patio and deck above a year-round creek fed from Mount Swuq’us
Up to two artists will share a kitchen and bathroom.
getting around
We are a 2 min drive/10 min walk down a forested trail to grocery stores, cafes and restaurants, and a 5 min drive/20 min walk to our cute downtown and Saturday farmer’s market. The nearest bus stop is a 3 min walk away.
If you are interested in exploring more of Vancouver Island, a car is highly recommended.
We do not have Uber, but there are taxis and an Airporter from YCD Nanaimo. On acceptance we will provide more travel tips.
fees
Updated for 2027
2 weeks
$1,300 CAD + 5% GST (approx. $950 USD)
FULL - Two 50% discounted 2-week residencies available for BIPOC artists ($650 CAD + 5% GST)
3 weeks
$1,900 CAD + 5% GST
Offered only in February (starting on 2nd)
4 weeks
$2,500 CAD + 5% GST (approx. $1,850 USD)
studio facilities + supplies
Artists have 24/hr access to their own designated 10’ x 20’ studio space with a large window in a historic boatbuilding workshop with open rafters, old-growth fir floors and views overlooking the creek. The studios are full of creative history and feel inviting and open.
Facilities include: 4×6 work-tables, caddy for supplies, stools, desk lights, an 11×17 scanner, printer, darkroom with a Durst 605M enlarger, basic hand tools, easels and plenty of wall space.
Supplies can be mailed to The Ou ahead of time or purchased in Duncan at the lovely Excellent Frameworks, in Nanaimo at Iron Oxide (close to the ferry from Vancouver) or in downtown Victoria at Opus Art Supplies.
expectations of artists + writers
Artists are responsible for preparing their own meals and keeping shared areas tidy. On departure, they are expected to clean their room and studio space.
We do not support workshops or exhibitions at this time.
External guests and parties are strictly forbidden. This residency is a space to decompress, make work, and explore new ideas alongside other artists. We expect you to be respectful of their time, space, and practice.
accessibility
We are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible as getting to the accommodation requires artists to descend a set of stairs.
families + collaborators
We have loved hosting families in the past, but are taking a pause to consider how to facilitate a better experience for all.
The Ou can accommodate artistic collaborators. Fill out our form to get in touch so we can learn more about your needs.
a note on ‘remote’
Though surrounded by nature and old growth cedars, we are not in a remote area and are located just off the main road outside the small town of Duncan (5,000 people). We are a very short walk to a 200km nature trail (The Great Trail), and live above ‘Bings’ Creek, a year-round waterway.
pets
Unfortunately we cannot welcome pets, so please find alternative accommodation for your fur/less friends.
drawings by artist Tim Dyer
invest in your creative practice
applications are accepted on a rolling basis
We can’t wait to meet you!
PSA: We’re located in Quw’utsun, the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, not Victoria and not Vancouver ;)