Artist in Residence
OUR PROGRAM
The Magnolia Library & Community Center has long been a place where artists of all kinds are welcomed, supported, and celebrated. In recent years, we have had a number of artists-in-residence, and have recently established an artist-in-residence program to make this an ongoing and enduring part of our center. This program welcomes an artist to establish a short-term studio in our historic building, giving them a quiet, inspiring space to create. Our center seeks artists who are passionate about their work and eager to connect with our community. Applicants should demonstrate a record of artistic accomplishment through publication, exhibition, or performance. The program is open to visual artists working in all media; writers of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry; and composers working in all musical genres. The selected artist will have exclusive access to the Fran Hines Suite on the second floor of the library for the duration of their residency, providing a dedicated space for reflection, exploration, and creative work.
About the Space
The Fran Hines Room is a bright, inviting space located on the second floor of the MLCC building. With its high ceilings, plentiful sunlight, and hardwood floors, it offers an inspiring environment for creative work. Please note that the room cannot be locked, as it serves as an emergency egress for the second floor. As our Community Center frequently hosts guests and event rentals in Charles Jones Hall and throughout the building, we ask that the Artist in Residence remain mindful of any events taking place during their studio time to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone in the building.
Artist Engagement
As part of their residency at the Magnolia Library & Community Center, each artist will collaborate with the Board of Directors to host a free event for community members. With input from the Board, the artist is expected to plan and execute a public program at the MLCC prior to the conclusion of their residency—one that reflects their creative practice and encourages meaningful community engagement.
Application
We are currently accepting applications for our next residency from September 1st through December 31st 2026. Please CLICK HERE to download the application and instructions.
CURRENT ARTIST
Cape Ann based artist Rebecca Anne Nagle is a contemporary painter and mixed media artist who explores layering and transparency within society and nature, searching for the rhythms, lyricism, and repetitions in the visual or metaphysical that produce movement and emotional impact.
As a professional figure skater, Rebecca enjoyed the graceful physical process of creating visible rhythmic patterns on huge ice canvases. Today, that physicality energizes the edgy, abstract mark making found in much of her work. Using pastels, acrylics, oil and a wide variety of collage materials, she seeks to forge a bond between the integrity of the subject matter and the empathy of the viewer.
To view more work by Rebecca, please visit her website by clicking HERE
PREVIOUS ARTIST
Our inaugural Artist in Residence is Gloucester Artist, Loren Doucette, a painter for the last 30 years. Her residency commenced on November 1st and will conclude on March 31. Her work has shown in solo and group exhibitions since 2006. She received a BFA in Drawing and Painting in 2013 from Montserrat College of Art where she participated in Montserrat’s study-abroad program in Italy. Her paintings are prayers hovering between realism and abstraction and celebrate the sun, flowers, people and color of this world.
To l earn more about Loren and her work please visit her website HERE.
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