Photograph of a page with a review about Melanie Sexton and an image of a hand holding a small container of mixed media artwork, with various textures and materials visible inside.

okay awesome, but let’s hear it from the artists

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okay awesome, but let’s hear it from the artists 〰️

Interior of a room under construction or renovation with exposed wood ceiling beams, white partition walls, large windows, and wooden tables.

I loved, loved, loved my accommodations. Everything was so clearly and thoughtfully laid out

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I loved, loved, loved my accommodations. Everything was so clearly and thoughtfully laid out 〰️

An image featuring the name Kimberly Greef, a painter from Alaska, with a photo of a person holding a newspaper covering their face, wearing a blazer and ripped jeans, against a beige background.

The Ou-Telier residency was a first-ever-art-residency-dream come true.

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The Ou-Telier residency was a first-ever-art-residency-dream come true. 〰️

A lush green scene with various trees and bushes, a small stream of flowing water, and a wooden fence or bridge in the foreground.
Text about Hayley Ferber, mixed-media artist from Brooklyn, with a red telephone receiver on a beige background.
A person with a newspaper over their face, wearing a black jacket, ripped jeans, and sneakers, standing against a beige background with a quote about writing and a personal message from Sarah Conklin, a writer from Bend, Oregon.

From the moment I was accepted to The Ou, I felt genuinely held.

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From the moment I was accepted to The Ou, I felt genuinely held. 〰️

A dense green forest scene with multiple tall trees with rough bark, surrounded by lush green leaves and foliage.
Poster with the title 'Sarah Byrden' in large, red font, an image of an open book held by a hand, and a quote about a residency experience.
Yes, please! Where do I apply?
An author holding a newspaper covering their face, dressed in a black blazer and ripped jeans.
Quote from a person named Aimée Henny Brown about her experience as a multidisciplinary artist in Vancouver, praising the accommodations, comfort, thoughtful design, and welcoming environment of the residency space.
View of a wooden ceiling with exposed beams and a hanging black and white light fixture, a large window with trees outside, a small table, and a storage trolley inside a room that is under renovation or construction.
A person holding a newspaper in front of their face, standing against a beige background with text in red and black, promoting Sara Everett's art residency in Seattle.
Nasarimba mural

The Ou's generous spaces for working, creativity and restorative rest is truly remarkable

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The Ou's generous spaces for working, creativity and restorative rest is truly remarkable 〰️

detail of Nasarimba mural in courtyard

An image of a person holding a newspaper in front of their face, wearing a black blazer, ripped jeans, and sneakers, standing on a light background with text promoting Sandra Yuen's Vancouver artist residency.
An image of a person holding a newspaper in front of their face, wearing a black blazer, ripped jeans, and sneakers, standing on a light background with text promoting Sandra Yuen's Vancouver artist residency.
A living room corner with a tall brass floor lamp, a framed portrait of a woman with dark hair wearing a white dress against a blue and green background, a window with lush green trees outside, some houseplants, and a cozy armchair partially visible.

I didn't realize how vital this experience was going to be for my personal growth

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I didn't realize how vital this experience was going to be for my personal growth 〰️

A scenic view of a large blue river or lake with forested hills on either side, seen from a rocky ledge with tree branches in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.
Text overlay with red telephone receiver and the name Laura Clark, Mixed Media Artist Vancouver, alongside a quote about the Ou Artist Residency.
A postcard featuring a vintage red telephone receiver and the name 'Diane Kappa Printmaker' with location 'Seattle, Washington' in red cursive text, and a paragraph of black text describing her experience at an art residency.

My time at The Ou was truly transformative:

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My time at The Ou was truly transformative: 〰️

A graphic design that features a vintage red telephone and text about Erin O'Neill's artist residency in Chicago, highlighting personal growth and the location's secluded nature.
A heartfelt quote about personal growth and artistic inspiration, accompanied by a red hand-drawn heart with radiating lines.
A person holding a newspaper covering their face, wearing a dark jacket and ripped jeans, standing against a beige background with text about Lucie Bardos and her experience at Ou Gallery.
Sunset over a body of water with a tree-covered shoreline and mountains in the distance.
Yes! I'm in. Take me to the application.

Erica Frisk

Photographer, MA. 2026

“My residency at the Ou-Telier was an exciting, inspiring, and deeply reflective experience. I was grateful for the opportunity to experiment, explore, and deepen my artistic practice within such a beautiful and thoughtfully equipped space.

Vancouver Island itself became an important part of my creative process. Its landscapes, atmosphere, and sense of place offered endless inspiration, and I welcomed every opportunity to explore the island through photography.

Just as meaningful was the sense of community within the residency! The creative space encouraged collaboration and exchange, and I truly enjoyed sharing ideas, conversations, and many memorable dinners with my fellow artists in residence. I left the Ou-Telier feeling inspired, grateful, and renewed in my practice. It was a special time of exploration, connection, and creative growth, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this artist residency to anyone looking for a space to reflect, experiment, and create!”

Caroline Brink - Substack Article

Lara Mimosa Montes - Substack Article

Natalie Rollins

Beader, Lekwungen. 2026

“My practice was nurtured by the peaceful environment of the Ou Gallery’s residency. Alongside the surrounding mossy maple trees and babbling brook, I benefited greatly from this beautiful artist residency. Deeply grateful”

Aimee Seiff Christian

Writer, MA. 2026

“The Ou gave me two rare weeks of quiet, beauty, and sustained attention to my work. I was able to make meaningful progress on my manuscript while also having the space to read, walk, bird, and think. I left feeling both accomplished and restored - and I hope to come back again!”

Steven Hendricks

Writer, WA. 2026

“I had a wonderful writing residency at Ou-Telier. The space and location are incredible. The rooms and studios feel hidden, tucked into a green space along a creek and near trails and parks that weave through the town.

For my two weeks, there were two other writers in the space. We were largely quiet and kept to ourselves, but we shared the calm and the sense of drive to be creatively active, which is so much better than being alone.

I made use of all the wonderful places to sit and work, nooks inside and outside (and nearby cafes and parks). I used the studio space and tables to spread out my thinking and make diagrams and visual outlines and just think differently about my writing.”

Emily Welty

Writer, NY. 2026

“As a place-based writer, I was immensely grateful for my experience at this shady, gorgeous residency based in quirky delightful Duncan. The physical spaciousness of the studios, the well-designed house and the independent spirit of the town were welcome companions to my creative process.”

Laura Schadler

Writer, WA. 2026

“My time at the Ou was truly transformative. I had hopes for some quiet time away from regular life to get writing done, and it ended up being that and so much more.

The beautiful space (and surrounding environment) encouraged such immersion that I was able to go deep into my work in weird and unexpected ways. My two weeks felt luxurious and spacious, and I truly appreciated having no set routines and the uninterrupted time to experiment, play, and work. Each day held its own adventures: one spent writing in the studio until midnight and another napping and walking into town to vintage shop and another exploring the nearby beaches and trails.

I ended my residency with four brand new stories (over 20k words), which is something that would have potentially taken me months to do otherwise. But perhaps even more than that, I left with a renewed excitement about my writing life, a deeper understanding of my own creative process, and a desire to keep this focus and commitment going now that I am back at home. I could not be more grateful for my time at the Ou (and for the wonderful artists I shared the time and space with), and I highly recommend the experience to all.”