2023 GLEAN Call for Artists

GLEAN is a juried residency program that gives five selected artists from the Portland area (Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties) access to the Metro Central transfer station to glean materials for creating art. The program will provide studio visits, marketing support, a $2,000 stipend, group critiques with GLEAN artists and partners, and help developing your creative practice, culminating in an exhibition. One residency position is reserved for a student currently enrolled in an art program at a local college or university.

Program participants will glean materials from Metro Central transfer station for five months (June–October 2023). Each artist must create a minimum of eight pieces available for sale at the exhibition, with 95% of each piece made from gleaned materials. Artists receive a $2,000 stipend upon successfully completing the program and 80% commission from sales of their art at the exhibition. Recology will retain one piece from each artist for its permanent collection; Metro will retain one piece to be publicly displayed for 2 years. Artists must be available for monthly check-ins and are required to sign an artist agreement and attend safety training before gleaning. Studio space is not provided.

Applicants must be residents of Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas county. Application deadline is April 7, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Required submissions include work samples (4-6 images and up to 1 video), bio, CV/resume, proposal, and questionnaire. On-site safety training and orientation is required on June 5, 2023.