ARTIST IN RESIDENCE | ANNA THOREAU

November 15 – December 17, 2025.

“I Can Haz Fly”
During my Artist in Residency at the Salem Art Association, I’ll be developing I Can Haz Fly, a fanciful illustrated story that follows a curious cat who discovers the magic of flight and self-belief. The project combines hand-drawn illustration, digital color, and lighthearted whimsy to explore transformation and creative courage. The residency will focus on completing final pages for print and preparing the graphic novel’s public launch, along with limited-edition art and merch through my creative boutique, Aesdiopod Designs.

Story Synopsis
 I Can Haz Fly 
A magical adventure tale of the time Crookshanks the cat discovered an enchanted seaside cave full of fairies — and met Pixieshanks, who taught him to fly.
Join them as they soar through the sky, befriend the gulls, and surprise his human!

Follow their journey: @CrookshanksInTheMultiverse

WEEKLY ARTIST GATHERING

SUNDAYS FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

*We will take November 30, December 21 and 28 off for holidays and resume Jan 4, 2026!

Enter at the atrium into the Annex. Please register to let us know you are coming, but if you find you can make it last minute, we welcome you to stop by. Please bring your own projects to work on. Our mission is to strengthen our local community of artists by meeting in person to share ideas, lend support, get to know each other, and brainstorm ways to promote each other’s endeavors.

Slide 1

2026 APPLICATION ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

The Salem Art Association is offering several categories as part of the 2026 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program in the Annex at the Bush Barn Art Center. This residency offers a dedicated studio space for artist(s) to experiment and create new work.

Call for Artists -AIR application guidelines downloadable PDF

Slide 1

About: Artist-in-Residence (AIR)

The Salem Art Association’s Community Arts Education program hosts an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program in the Annex. This program aims to serve artists by providing a flexible space for artistic development and experimentation.

Slide 3

FACILITY

AIR studio space is located in the Annex at the Bush Barn Art Center. Completely renovated in 2016, the studio is geared primarily toward printmaking but can accommodate artists working in a variety of media. Separated from the studio by two, large sliding doors (which can be left open to encourage public interaction while working), is a large gallery which is made available for the AIR to display their process and/or finished work, or host workshops, lectures, etc.

Slide 3

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to contact Kathleen Dinges Rice, Artists Resources and Outreach Director, at anytime with questions. She can be reached at 503-581-2228 x312 or Kathleen@SalemArt.org.