ArtsLink NB is pleased to introduce the resident artists for Introspect: a residency by the sea this April 26 to May 9 at the Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts (KIRA)!
The selected artists are:
David Adams (in collaboration with Martin Kutnowski): As a violinist with extensive experience in classical chamber music, David is dedicated to exploring new creative horizons through collaboration and innovation. His work emphasizes the expressive potential of the violin while fostering dynamic partnerships with composers and fellow musicians.
Project Description:
“During my time at Introspect: A Residency by the Sea, I will develop and perform a new musical composition in collaboration with composer and pianist Martín Kutnowski. This piece will be inspired by the natural beauty and dynamic energy of the Fundy Coast, blending the lyrical expressiveness of the violin with the harmonic richness of the piano to create a work that reflects both the landscape and human experience.”
Ella Christison: Ella Christison is a painter based in Saint John, New Brunswick. Often working from found images, she is interested in the transformation of imagery through the painting process.
Project Description: “For this project, I will be painting fragmented elements of the St. Andrews Landscape. Using techniques inspired by the ‘picturesque,’ this project will explore historical methods of cropping and filtering within a contemporary framework.”
Bonny Hill: Bonny Hill is a contemporary Canadian artist who was selected for the 2017 Surveillance Studio Watch at the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery for her series, I Don’t Know Anything About Art. I Just Want Something Nice to Hang Over My Sofa to Match My Living Room. In 2011, she was recognized as the Canadian Art Educator of the Year and in 2023 was granted The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her work in the visual arts.
Project Description: “My intention is to use the residency to examine my personal aesthetic, systematically deconstructing the images and objects in the natural and built environment that appeal to me in terms of formal design principles and art elements, and to use the information revealed to construct a new series of work entitled, I Don’t’ know Anything About Art But I Know What I Like. I will be experimenting with paint media, paper craft, and sculptural approaches, and welcome the opportunity to use the Kingsbrae gardens as inspirational source material. “
Martin Kutnowski (in collaboration with David Adams): Martin is a pianist and composer. In his works, which are often rooted in the tonal idiom, references to the musical past are often embedded within folk materials.
Project Description: “During Introspect, I will compose a new piece of music inspired by the natural beauty and dynamic energy of St. Andrews by the Sea. In collaboration with violinist David Adams, the composition will explore the ebb and flow of the Fundy Coast, blending themes of the sea with the unique interplay of ideas drawn from fellow artists at the residency. The piece will be refined and performed in an open studio setting, offering a rich, immersive experience that reflects both the environment and the creative community.”
Denise MacLean: Denise found clay as an adult, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Craft: Ceramics from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. After graduation she began a successful business with her work carried by shops and galleries throughout Canada and New England. Recently she has scaled back her wholesale accounts, making time for experimentation with slab construction and hand-built vessels.
Project Description: “The Introspect residency in St. Andrews allows time for two of my favourite things; beachcombing and working in clay. During the residency I will be working on a series of hand-built vessels that will provide little pockets or niches to hold ‘found’ objects from nature.”
Stephanie Weirathmueller: Stephanie Weirathmueller is a multidisciplinary artist exploring presence, process, and self-compassion in her work. Living with Chronic fatigue syndrome has shaped her approach, leading her to embrace gentleness, adaptability, and playfulness in her creative practice. Through drawing and writing, she captures quiet moments, emotions, and the beauty of everyday life.
Project Description:
“During this residency, I will create a series of landscape drawings inspired by slow, intentional walks. Working from photographs, I will explore themes of process, flexibility, and emotion while maintaining a sustainable, energy-conscious approach. My work balances structure with spontaneity, emphasizing presence and self-compassion through an intuitive, playful practice.”
Open Studio Day 
There will be an open studio day at Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts in St. Andrews on the second weekend of the residency to meet the artists and see what they’ve been working on during their stay, so stay tuned for more details:
Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts
130 Prince of Wales St, St. Andrews, NB
Saturday, May 2, 2025
1 pm – 4 pm