The Long Haul Project

The Empty House Studio is in its current little venue for 6 months... maybe less.

We thought it a prefect structure for trying out some time-sensitive projects. A few nights ago, artists, with visions of calendars dancing in their heads, got together to start things.

If you are an artist or know any artists, you know that they are always starting things. Ideas bounce around in artists' heads like a pinball machine. The idea of starting things "alone together" really got us excited and so we put out the call to artists we know to get them thinking about timed projects.

At the end of our 6 months, we will have a show and/or results party to display our currently "marinating" projects. We are so excited to watch the developments (or have things to forget about and rediscover in 6 months). We hope you are inspired to start a patience-enhancing project of your own and share it with us... even if you can't be here in person.

NOTE: If you are on Instagram, #theemptyhousestudio with your projects. Or you can send them to us and we will share them on a Pinterest board.


Our list includes:

1. Vodka Infusions - A. Cherry, Lime, Star Fruit, and Pistachio; B. Cilantro, Lime. TEHS. (1 month)

2. Time Capsule Notes - a few people wrote notes or made predictions. We are burying them in the back yard. If you want in on this, contact us at theemptyhousestudio@gmail.com! (6 months)

3. Operation Matchbook - We are starting a very exciting art project that will be shared with Northern Virginia in 6 months. Stay tuned. TEHS. (6 months)

4. Rock Candy - Began 6 flavored homemade rock candy sticks. (3 weeks) Continue homemade organic candy projects. Kerin Backhaus. (6 months)

5. Herbs - Planted 3 herb pots. Rosemary, Basil, and Spearmint. TEHS. (6 months)

6. Loom - Hand-built a mini loom. Began weaving a piece. Erika Koch. (6 months)

7. Homemade Vanilla - Bourbon separated into bottles with aged vanilla bean. (6 months)

8. Poetry writing - Wrote some during the Long Haul Party. Palmer Horst. (Continuous.)

9. Mandolin-ing, Guitar-ing and general "watering" of the house with music. (Self-teaching... continuous.)

10. Documentation. Photo, audio, video of The Empty House Studio activity. Blake Stenning. (6 months)

11. Two bottles of wine. Same exact bottle. Taste tested the first bottle. Recorded reactions. Will do the same with the second bottle in 6 months. (6 months)

12. Six Months of Collaboration - I (Sarah Coffin) am planning to have at least 3 major pieces of collaboration with my pottery and another art form. I have one in the works with metalsmith, Henri Bielawski. (6 months... maybe a year)

13. (Since it is 2013 and all...) TEHS is asking all that come through to complete the sentence: "I create because..." in the style of the wonderful Cindy Chang. So, why do you create? Facebook or email us with your response. theemptyhousestudio@gmail.com

What fun!