Hello old friends, 

It's been a while, and I hope this finds you well. As most of you know, I stepped away from SPACE in the fall of 2021. A lot transpired at SPACE between that time and last year when they sadly had to close operations on Ryder Farm. Through a series of fortuitous events, I have recently returned to SPACE's board with a small group of passionate individuals, all of us excited to reimagine what SPACE can become now that it's no longer a brick-and-mortar on Ryder Farm.

At the start of this year, we were in deep discussion about what the future of SPACE away from Ryder Farm could look like. We were simultaneously watching the devastation in Los Angeles unfold as a result of the Eaton-Palisades fires. It seemed like there might be an organic opportunity to share the essential gifts of community, care, time, and space with those in need.

Through a generous partnership with Colorado Lodge in Big Bear Lake, California, we are thrilled to offer a special Family Residency September 7th-12th for artists who were displaced by those fires. 

Five working artists (theatre, TV, and film) and their families will receive a fully subsidized residency, providing artist-parents with structured time and space to create while their child(ren) participate in nature-focused arts programming under the guidance of professional educators. All residents (parents and children) enjoy three fresh communal meals daily and will be joined by a community care facilitator for the duration of their stay. The residency culminates in brief, informal sharings of the work created by both parents and children during their time in residence. Participating artists were nominated by SPACE community members in June and selected by lottery in July. 

The five participating artists are poet/arts educator Dr. Kahlil Almustafa (Growing Up Hip-Hop), screenwriter/performer Julia Ahumada Grob (iCARLY), actor/writer John Lavelle (Iama Theatre Company’s The Very Best People), actor/writer/filmmaker Kristin Slaysman (The Threesome), and director Stephanie Ward (Women by Chiara Atik).

As with all labors of love, it is through the generosity of our community that we can come together to create necessary spaces like this. The need has never been more urgent. If you are moved to support this residency, we would be most grateful for any donation, and you can do that here. 

We will keep you posted on this residency and the next. 

Until then, 
Emily and the SPACE board

Emily Simoness, Therese Barbato, Monet Hurst-Mendoza, Blair Russell, and Tamara White