Five emerging Adelaide artists will be given professional development opportunities, free work-spaces for a year and endless networking chances as part of ACE Open’s annual Studio Artist program.

A visual artist who explores the history of technology and a sculptor who weaves blacksmithing into her work are among the five artists selected for ACE Open’s annual Studio Artist Program this year.

Emerging artists Shaye Dương, Chelsea Farquhar, Dani Reynolds, Cecilia Tizard and Ash Tower have been selected as this year’s recipients.

The program is one of a kind in SA, allowing up-and-coming artists to undertake year-long, fully-funded studio residences with tailored professional development.

Artists are given 24-hour access to a studio and professional development opportunities through networking with international and Australian curators.

The program works to foster artists at a crucial point in their burgeoning careers by creating opportunities for them to grow conceptually and professionally.

For the first time, ACE Open has partnered with artist-led Sydney gallery Firstdraft to provide an interstate exhibiting space for one of the studio artists.

Helping to forge recognition on a national stage, the chosen artist will present a solo exhibition as part of the independent gallery’s 2022 program, with artist fees, material costs and travel all covered.

Shaye Dương; Ash Tower

“The Studio Program is one of the ways ACE Open nurtures South Australian artists to elevate their practice, as well as foster conditions for critical engagement and creative exploration,” ACE Open artistic director Patrice Sharkey says.

“The artists also get access to a rent-free studio for the 12 months, and I think you can really underestimate a year of not having to pay rent in order to invest in other ways into the practice.

“We also run quite a significant invitation to curators not just across South Australia but also interstate to meet with the cohort, so really it is just fast-tracking connections and allows them to think about their practice differently and be challenged.”

Dani Reynolds

Funding for the program comes from the ACE Studio Program Donors Circle as well as the Adelaide Central School of Art and the Helpmann Academy.

This year the Adelaide City Council also chipped in $19,500 to support the program.

“We hope the artists can develop new work, new experimentation, new friendships or collaborations and start exhibiting interstate,” Patrice says.

“Artists in our previous cohorts have been asked to exhibit interstate and their works have been acquired by collectors and state galleries and they have been doing residencies overseas.”

Cecilia Tizard

Chelsea Farquhar

For Chelsea, securing a spot in the coveted program will mean allowing more time for creative development of her work.

She works across sculpture, performance and video, while incorporating traditional blacksmithing skills, leadlighting and costuming. Chelsea was also a recipient of Carclew’s 2018 fellowship, which resulted in residencies in Scotland and New York.

“This studio residency has allowed me to put more time and resources into developing my practice,” Chelsea says.

“It’s really exciting to know that I’ll be exhibiting at ACE later this year for our studio exhibition where I’ll be able to share my work with a wider audience.

“To be selected for this studio has given me encouragement from industry professionals and has just given me a boost to keep doing what I’m doing.”

For more information on ACE Open’s Studio program, visit the website.