quotes

The Fountainhead Residency

“It was a couple months of heaven.”

-Rai Escale

...and in attempting to recall my experiences i remember that there are too many good things to say... rai got me on the cooking bug, sky and galt got my on the there-needs-to-be-kids-in-everyone's-life bug, and the climate taught me that i should really live in a place where i don't endure a winter.

you guys were incredibly supportive about my work, my ideas and impulses. i immediately felt like i was amongst friends. you were warm and inviting and i feel like the kids took full advantage of the fact i thought anything they did was hilarious.

the city, generally, is an abrupt shift from new york. it has a really different history which is far more brief and seems somehow more volatile than most places i've been. i biked everywhere in miami and its is a really good city for an experienced cyclist. its the kind of place where i could start off in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and, in a few miles, be in the middle of the ocean on one of the keys.

for all those reasons and more that i'm not instantly thinking of, i had a fantastic experience and can't wait to return.”

-Ben Grasso

“It's the best residency that I have been to, and a super perk is that you can have artists with kids. Most often, when artists have kids, the residency possibility comes to a HALT. Most residencies don't take families. Some like bellagio or Bogliasco will accept your partner but no kids. I have not been able to apply to a bunch of stuff because I have a child and cannot leave for more than a week or two.

We are also living in a time when artists have kids and balanced lives. There are a lot of good, cool artists with families.

So for now, big kisses and hugs. Fountainhead was great and would return anytime.”

-Nancy Friedemann, Charley Friedman and Nina

"The Residency is some sort of fantastic box of treasures. You never know what will happen next. The conscientious hospitality that the Mikesell's provide is a gem in itself. But, besides the wonderful accommodations, the residency opens opportunities to meet Miami's artists, collectors and gallerists as well as connect with your fellow residents."

-Elisa “Pooper” Harkins

“The Fountainhead Residency is a tremendous opportunity, located in central Miami it gives artists the space and support to execute work in a thriving and exciting art community.”

-Fiona Gardner

"Unbelievable. I have never encountered such wonderful hospitality as provided by everyone at the Fountainhead Residency (or Miami, for that matter) I was somehow magically transported from a contentious, snow-plowed, crusted Chicago Art Scene to an environment that would be difficult to describe as anything but "paradise," where artists were appreciated and supported, and work was abundant. It was hard to leave.

The Mikesells went above and beyond to provide resources that enabled us to host workshops and screenings, perform at a venue, install public art, explore, and engage with the Miami art community. We are currently seeking permanent residence and work in Miami, as a result of our positive experience at the Fountainhead Residency.”

-Thorne Brandt

"At the Fountainhead, one of the greatest things the Mikesells did was to host a series of dinners, where we cooked and dined with several of Miami's best artists and curators. It was like a gathering of new and old friends and was made all the more fun with visits from Galt and Skye. These occasions happened often at the spur of the moment."

"What is better than a residency where you can walk out the door and get fresh coconut and mango from the trees?"

-Chuck Webster

"The Fountainhead residency is a breath of fresh air, there is a sense of being away in a protected area and at the same time you are right in the smack of Miami. It is very conducive to working and late night conversations. The Mikesell 's are very generous and do their best to promote and provide the needs to their residents. It is perfect place to escape to another world and time".

-Teri Hackett

My experience at the Fountainhead Residency was …. FANTASTIC!

In short … I had the space and time to do tons work, meet some fantastic Miami artist, and saw some great work at galleries during my time there.

My work-mates during my stay at the residency were great guys, and folks that I feel that I will have life long relationships with – this in and of itself is pretty incredible. And they are brilliant artist as well.

The entire Mikesell family (Kathryn, Dan, Skye and Galt) are a gift to the art community of Miami. Kathryn”s enthusiasm (and her ENERGY, that bunny guy has nothing on her) is contagious – in a positive way!

I feel quite fortunate to have had two months at the Fountainhead.

-W. Tucker