Artists

The Centre for Aesthetics and Visual Art (CAVA) runs alongside the Visual Arts programme at West Dean College. It is a forum for a range of discussions and projects centring on ‘making works of fine art, applied art, design and architecture in the context of aesthetic, phenomenological and ideological considerations, especially those that can be seen to have applications and implications across all the arts.’

The Centre provides the focus for activities such as artists in residence, fellowships in fine art and research seminars. Bringing together artists, philosophers, theorists and historians of art, these extra-curricula events and projects inform the programmes and involve an audience both within and beyond the college.

Residencies
Artists and conservators from around the world are invited to come to West Dean to participate in its Residency programme. Each spends between four and eight weeks within Visual Arts and/or Conservation working on personal projects. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences through works in progress, a lecture for staff and students.

Bonnie Jenkins, Artist in Residence, 2007
The opportunity to take part in the Artists in Residence programme at West Dean was enthusiastically received. Little did I know that my grand expectations would not only be met, but be exceeded! Not only was the atmosphere welcoming, encouraging and inspiring, it was also a cultural experience. The unique natural beauty encompassing West Dean proved to be an endless source of inspiration. My work utilised these attributes, allowing me to create my photographic and video artworks with uninterrupted ease in the acres of natural beauty situated right on the door step. This experience will be fondly remembered as a turning point in my studies and career, and will continue to inform my practice as an artist.

Fellowships
Practising artists and conservators are invited to participate in the West Dean’s Fellowship programme. They will spend a semester (eighteen weeks) at West Dean working with Visual Arts or Conservation tutors and students to create works and share their knowledge and skill with others, through practice, teaching and lectures.