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| 10/11/2006 4:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article
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KEVIN HEIMBIGNER photo
Poet Tess Gallagher and painter Alfredo Arreguin gave a presentation for the Espy Foundation Saturday at the Oysterville School. Both have received the prestigious Washington State Governor’s Art Award among their many accolades. They also performed for Ilwaco High School students. |
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KEVIN HEIMBIGNER photo
Polly Friedlander (left), founder and president of the Espy Foundation and Sabrina Kent stand in front of a painting of Willard Espy at the library named after Espy. The Espy Foundation currently is supporting five residents who are working on literary and visual arts during the month of October in Oysterville. |
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Espy Foundation hosts five residencies, plans on expansion
OYSTERVILLE - The Espy Foundation was founded in 1999 and during its dedication at the Century Club in New York City, namesake Willard Espy was introduced by founder and President Polly Friedlander. Espy, the world-famous wordsmith and author was "speechless for probably the only time in his life when he received word of the project," Friedlander says with a smile.
The Espy Foundation is a non-profit organization that advances and encourages literary and visual arts through residencies at its artists' community in Oysterville and through programs in which writers, artists and students pursue and discover new ideas and create new works, according to the mission statement.
There are currently five resident artists and writers working in Oysterville through the month of October. They are chosen by two committees according to Friedlander, one for literary work and one for the visual arts. The residents stay in one of three "vintage Pacific Northwest" houses that are rented for their exclusive use and they also receive a stipend to pay for meals and other necessities. Everything from computers and Internet access to peace and quiet are made available.
"We try to be as helpful as we can to the artists and writers, but we also want to leave them alone to do their work," Friedlander explains. Judging from the comments of past residency recipients the program is extremely successful. Without exception the writers and artists who have enjoyed the benefits of the month-long residencies have written glowing reports of extremely productive and enjoyable experiences in Oysterville.
Another valuable component of the Foundation is the Espy Library, which houses 2,000 books and pieces of memorabilia from Willard's days in New York City and in Pacific County. There are another 2,000 books in storage and they make up what many believe is the "most outstanding and complete collection in the world of word play genre" materials. The library houses the lighter side of language works as well as books from authors who have been in the residency program. At least two dozen of Espy's original books, many letters and other documents, and paintings are in the library.
The Espy Foundation performs valuable services for local schools, as well. Artists and writers regularly make presentations at the schools and according to Friedlander gifts of books have been donated to the Ocean Beach School District.
This winter, the Foundation will formulate a Five-year Master Strategic Plan and a major portion of the plan is expected to include expansion and relocation of the library and facilities. A four-acre parcel east of Oysterville will house a 10,000 volume library and meeting room. Four cottages and two studios, a greenhouse and a cranberry bog are also in the planning stages for the property, expected to become an artists' Mecca.
The Foundation is funded solely through gifts and fundraisers. Famous painter Alfredo Arreguin and poet Tess Gallagher presented their works during a presentation and light luncheon at the Oysterville School on Oct. 7 and also did a similar slide show for students at Ilwaco High School Oct. 6. In January the Espy Foundation will host five students from Brooklyn College in New York, the first time students will receive residencies.
Their vision statement explains, "The Espy Foundation operates on the premise that our society benefits from and depends upon nurturing creativity and developing artistic excellence." Judging from the success of their programs, their generous support, and the unique ambiance of Oysterville the combination is working splendidly to achieve that vision.
Willard, who passed away in 1999 at age 89, might add, "All that, and without a lot of clammer."
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Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Article comment by:
kaman art
I am from kaman art gallery India. let me know! Are you provide to artist for residency program.If yes, so where can I find the application form and criteria of your rules and condition. please reply me by email. thanks.
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