The Sointula Art Shed consists of a small artist-run residency based in a cottage and repurposed work/net shed overlooking the Broughton Strait. We host artists working in any/all materials and methods. All guests are invited to exhibit in the shed window if they wish - the work in the "Window Gallery" pictured here is Elisa Yon's 'Sointula Reciprocity Wreath' from winter 2023.
We are generally booked over a year in advance, so in January of each new year we accept applications for the following year. Aside from making our fee as affordable as we can, the Sointula Art Shed is unfunded and the cost (as of 2025) for a one month stay is $775. We are able to offer a partially funded scholarship to Indigenous artists each year, please see the application form to apply. Additionally, many artists have received travel and/or project grants to come here, so we encourage everyone to apply to their local, regional, and national arts granting programs - we are very happy to send any additional documents necessary to help with those application processes. Participants are responsible for the cost of all transportation to and from Sointula as well as all materials related to their artwork and for personal living expenses including food. Please note that the Sointula Art Shed Residency has a strict no smoking policy.
We are happy to accommodate families with children in our residency - the cottage is small, but families with one child have stayed comfortably, and we have a fenced yard for kids to play in. Artists with larger families who would require more space than we can provide should still get in touch, as we have recently started collaborating with a local fishing woman/artist Rebekah Pesicka, who is offering her 3 bedroom waterfront home as another residency option in Sointula.
The Art Shed sometimes hosts a small web-based music performance series called Songs in the Shed, where local and touring musicians are invited to perform a song in, or near, our shed. We have also helped organize art workshops, concerts, artist talks, open studios, and gardening workshops in our yard. When possible, we are very happy to share produce from our garden and eggs from our small flock of chickens (the Darlenes). We do our best to help connect visitors with our community in various ways throughout their stay.