NOVEMBER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE | NICK SIMONS

November 2 – 29, 2026.

Nick Simons is a cartoonist and zinester based in Salem, OR. He graduated from Southern Oregon University in 2024 with a Bachelors in Studio Arts as well as Emerging Media and Digital Arts. He creates comics based on his own lived experience to post online and compile into self-published magazines to distribute. 

During his residency he aims to create a stop-motion animation as a meditation on grief and the transformation of self that emerges. His animation style consists of paper puppets, clay, and other mixed materials to create a surreal and playful aesthetic that juxtaposes against itself into something truly expressive and sincere.

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2027 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE APPLICATION’S COMING SOON

The Salem Art Association will be offering applications soon for 2027 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.

Read 2026 Call for Artists -AIR application guidelines downloadable PDF

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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.

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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.

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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.