Artists-In-Residence Program
For over 30 years Arrowmont has welcomed Artists-in-Residence (AIRs) to campus for an 11-month, self-directed residency. This unique program provides 5 early-career artists the time, space and support needed to create new work, while actively participating in our robust community of artists, students and staff.
Resident experiences are tailored to the individual’s goals and desired outcomes, with guaranteed exposure and professional development opportunities including – 3 gallery exhibitions, open-studio talks and demonstration, instruction experience through our ArtReach program, and funded networking resources.
We interviewed one of our current AIRs, Evelyn Kline, to learn more about her and what her experience has been so far during her residency here at Arrowmont. Continue reading to learn more about Evelyn!
Q&A
Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your life/work prior to arriving at Arrowmont and any interesting facts we should know about you!
Prior to arriving at Arrowmont, I was living in Boone, NC and working as a bench jeweler after completing my BFA at Appalachian State University. I grew up in Bakersville, NC and started working with metal in 2018. I love to draw and enameling has become my primary medium in the past couple years. It has totally changed everything for me!
What drew you to the Artists-in-Residence Program at Arrowmont?
I had an amazing experience at Pentaculum in January 2024, and I knew I would try to be back as much as I could after that. While I was here, I got to meet some of the residents and see their studios. So when I graduated from App State, the AIR program felt like it would be the perfect opportunity!
What is something that you have learned about yourself (so far) during your residency here?
I’ve been learning a lot about my work habits and things that fuel me creatively! I love to go outside or read some of my favorite art books like Making Comics by Lynda Barry when I need to recharge.
Tell us a bit about your work process and how it has changed since you have been at Arrowmont.
Having my own space at Arrowmont has been amazing because it allows me to work on more projects at once and have the space for dedicated work areas. I’ve been able to take more time with projects, as well as work on more complex pieces, as I was previously working out of a community studio where I didn’t have my own bench and would pack everything up at the end of the day. This has also allowed me to expand my production jewelry practice, and I’ve been figuring out how to split my time between smaller production work and my larger work. Overall, I’ve been finding how amazing it is to have time and space to experiment and to do things that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise!
Can you share any specifics about your work for the closing AIR exhibition in May? Everyone loves a teaser!
I’m excited to be building on my existing cloisonné practice, while imagining new forms for them! I’m hoping to include a mixture of small objects and sculpture as well as exploring and reimagining some traditional jewelry forms for my work.
What has been the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your residency (so far)?
I think it has been really valuable to learn to manage my time in the studio and set goals for myself when I have so much freedom! Figuring out what works for me has been a good challenge, and it’s definitely an ongoing process – but it feels good to be getting in the swing of things!
As an Arrowmont Artist-In-Residence, you have the opportunity to participate in our youth outreach program, ArtReach, as an instructor. How did your work as an artist influence the workshop you’re teaching? What are you looking forward to most about teaching during ArtReach?
I’ve always found metalsmithing to be very empowering, and so I think it’s always really exciting when kids have the opportunity to work in a new medium that doesn’t get taught as often like metal! I had been working in metal for a few years before I ever learned to enamel, so I want to do a process with students that I wish I was introduced to earlier! Enameling can be so mysterious until you actually do it, so I am excited to teach students some basics – we’ll be making enameled pendants!
What advice would you give to a future Artist-in-Residence?
My advice to future AIRs would be to explore Gatlinburg and get to know the many awesome people that come to Arrowmont each session! I’ve had so much fun meeting people from all over! I also loved swimming in the river this summer and doing classic Gatlinburg things like Hillbilly Golf! Another piece of advice I would give is to know when you need to take some time to be alone or seek inspiration outside the studio!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you, the residency or Arrowmont? We’re all ears!
Arrowmont is so awesome and it makes me so happy to be a part of this community!
2026-2027 Applications open on November 15, 2025, with a deadline of January 11, 2026 at midnight. The 2026-2027 residency will run the last week of June 2026 – May 31, 2027. Questions about the program? Contact Kelly Hider at [email protected]
