Yari Mena

 “Before making it up to Hambidge for my residency, I was balancing two jobs, as well as teaching art workshops, installing and retrieving work from shows, and providing support to my mother and two siblings. Attending a two-week residency at Hambidge offered me the time to unwind and recenter myself. I was able to rest and eat balanced meals thanks to their wonderful chef. Through group hikes and group dinners, I was able to connect with my fellow residents. The time that Hambidge allowed me to have to myself allowed me to reenter my work from a more grounded perspective, free of distractions. I was able to dive into a new series of thirty 5x7" paintings and prepare two large panels to continue working on from home. The creative freedom and nurturing environment I experienced as an artist and a human being were instrumental to my ability to create work in the capacity I was able to during my residency.“

—Yari Mena, Georgia, Painting, NEA Distinguished Fellow