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Soda Residency Program Fremantle Western Australia

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SODA Group PTY LTD – Sculptural Objects and Design Australia

International Artist in Residence Program   |   Ceramics Workshop Series  |  Ceramic Studio Facility |   Exhibition and Events Space  |   Forest Retreat

About Us
SODA Group PTY LTD - is a privately run clay working center in Western Australia.  The founding directors Fleur Schell and Richard Hill established the center in 2005 as a place to appreciate and cultivate the ceramic arts in Western Australia.   The growth and popularity of SODA has been expediential as it hosts visiting artist from all over the world to stimulate and nurture cross cultural exchange through the ceramics arts.
Featuring an International Ceramic Residency program, the SODA ceramics workshop facility includes a Fremantle Campus and a Forest Retreat at Hamelin Bay in the South Western corner of Western Australia.

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM.
SODA offers an artist in residence option to host innovative internationally recognized ceramic artists in Western Australia.  This continuous program attracts highly regarded practitioners from around the world.  The visiting artist is allocated their own work space and has full access to all facilities and equipment with 24-hour access during their stay. We invite each visitor to share their knowledge of skill and process through the SODA workshop series, as we encourage cross cultural exchange through clay with the local community.

Accommodation includes a fully furnished private studio apartment.  It is situated within the SODA complex and features wireless internet access and conveniently located public transport. Visiting artists are required to pay $250.00(Aus) per week, which includes all accommodation, studio space, equipment and facilities, the gallery space and the forest retreat. (Materials, kiln firings and living expenses are not included).  This fee can be offset by income provided by the visiting artist through the workshop series. With every overseas artist that visits, so grows the unique global network of ceramic artists who enjoy the unique biodiversity of Western Australia.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE APPLICATION PROCESS
There is no application deadline and applications will be considered throughout the year.  See the website at www.sodaresidency.com

The workshop Series
Classes presented at SODA are taught in a unique working studio environment.  Participants are surrounded by inspirational ceramic works and the vibrant art practices of the visiting and resident artists.  SODA is committed to providing a broad and in-depth program of clay and related courses and caters to all levels of experience and understanding of ceramics. The tutors at SODA are chosen for their level of skill as a practising ceramic artist and their passion for sharing their love of making with the community. A feature of SODA’s workshop program is the International Visiting Artist workshop series running concurrent to each visiting artists stay at SODA.
Through the workshop program, SODA aims to impart an appreciation for clay to people of all ages.

A working studio environment.
A priority at SODA is to create in clay and cultivate careers, and the enchanting studio surroundings are very complimentary to making.   SODA studios has four permanent artists with an adjoining studio dedicated to visiting artists and workshops.
The studios are designed to encourage an open and sharing arrangement. They are very spacious areas featuring large windows that capture an abundance of natural light. The studios are fully air-conditioned and have monitored security. Wet areas have been custom built to suit the needs of the artist working in clay. The kiln Shed or the ‘SHED’ as it is better known, is equipped with electric kilns, heavy wood and metal working equipment, handheld electric tools for drilling, cutting and sanding. With excellent internal lighting these facilities are external to the main SODA complex, allowing flexibility for artists to create noise, dust and fumes, which will not affect the running of the main complex.

Gallery and exhibition space
SODA Corridor Gallery is an artist run space. It is situated in the same complex central to SODA Studios and the visiting artist studio apartment. The Corridor Gallery is a beautiful space to display artwork and is also suitable for artist talks, slide presentations and product launches.
To hire this venue, public enquiries are welcome by emailing soda.admin@bigpond.com

Braeside forest campus Hamelin Bay
The Braeside Forest Retreat at Hamelin Bay is the remote rural campus of SODA. Considered a natural flora and fauna world hotspot for biodiversity, visiting artists have the option to research, make their own work or simply enjoy the inspirational natural surroundings at Braeside during their visit. Nestled amongst 3.5 acres of pristine Karri Eucalypt Forrest, Braeside is four and a half hours drive south of Perth. Situated in the South Western corner of Western Australia, which is best known for its viticulture and wild coastline, Braeside is also a great venue to facilitate large hands-on outdoor workshop events.

LOCATION
Situated in a Gallery precinct, a feature of SODA is its location to the beach. It is only 300 meters from the Indian Ocean and 200 metres from the Swan River. SODA is opposite the North Fremantle train station and just a two minute train ride to the historic cultural hub of Fremantle,  and the exciting fishing boat harbour lined with great pubs, shops, café’s, museums and The Fremantle Markets.

SODA Staff and Board of Directors

Fleur Schell:

Rachel Zimmerman:

Alana McVeigh:

Karen Millar:

For SODA Residency enquiries contacts: soda.admin@bigpond.com
Phone: 08 94334836

For more information on SODA visiting ceramic residency program visit www.sodaresidency.com.