Program Dates: August 7 – 17, 2018
Submission Deadline: Dec 15, 2017

Naked State is a 10-day residency to create artworks that explore the nude human body in context of nature, culture and art. For the duration of the residency, the artists and residency Facilitator live as *naturists (in the nude) within the naturist community of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park to create works that explore questions such as: What is nudity? Does stripping away clothing rid us of class, gender, and personal expression?; Do the connections between our bodies and the land change when nude? Is nudity always sexual? What is the role of the nude in historical and contemporary art?; Is an animal with fur naked? Is it possible to be civil in the nude?; Is there a natural state for human being? Residents work individually or collaboratively to create artworks that explore these questions through media of their choice, such as photography, video, installation, drawing, painting, performance art, dance, sound art, media art, etc. Naked State welcomes people in all walks of life into a creative journey of criticality thinking and self-discovery. Indigenous, people with disabilities, people of colour and diverse gender identifications are encouraged to apply.

This programmed residency offers facilitation, a seminar on naturism, a creative workshop, guest visits by artists and members of the Bare Oaks naturist community, plenty of studio time, and closing open studio/exhibition. Critiques of residents’ works occur individually with the Facilitator and through facilitated group discussions. Artists are encouraged to socialize and integrate with the Bare Oaks community at campfires, swimming, sharing meals, and through the creation of artworks. The Bare Oaks community will be invited to the introductory resident artist talks, guest seminar with Stéphane, and scheduled studio visits with artists. The closing event will be open to members of Bare Oaks and the public.
*Naturism is the practice of complete nudity in a social setting. Though nudity is the most obvious aspect of naturism, it is simply a tool to reach closer to a natural state. The purpose of naturism is to promote wholesomeness and stability of the human body, mind, and spirit. It also promotes well being through complete contact of the body with the natural elements. For a full description of naturism, visit BareOaks.ca/index.php/en/about-naturism.

Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park is a year-round naturist park near Toronto in Canada, where individuals and families experience traditional naturist values in a modern setting. It is nestled among the natural wilderness of the Ontario Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine. Its varied landscape includes open spaces, forests, ponds, streams and a small lake. Amenities include a store, restaurant, sun deck, TV and sports lounge, outdoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, exercise room, laundromat, and a small common kitchen with microwave and fridge. Wireless Internet can be purchased at the front desk. The Outback common room (and possibly a marquis tent and yurt) will be dedicated as a large shared studio space for the duration of the residency. There is some wheel chair accessibility. Bare Oaks is located in East Gwillimbury, under an hour north-east of Toronto. For more information visit BareOaks.ca, watch some videos, or take the virtual tour at the bottom of this page.

For full details and to apply visit: NakedState.ca/apply