TURPS RESIDENCY

Image: Turps Residency painter Josephine Wood

*Turps Residency: 04 applications are now open. Apply by 30th April 2025*

Turps Residency is an intensive 6 week residency for painters where 3-4 artists can work together in a communal studio at Turps Gallery to make new work.  There will be 3 residencies running throughout 2024/25 academic year. The resident painters will receive two 1-2-1 tutorials with a Turps mentor. The residency will conclude with a group exhibition at Turps Gallery and an end of residency crit.

Turps Residency is aimed at painters who want to spend a concentrated period of time making and working alongside other artists. 

Please note the residency is providing studio space only.  For those living outside of London, you will need to find your own accommodation during your stay.    

OVERVIEW

• 7 week residency (5 weeks of studio time, 1 week to prepare the space and install the final show, 1 week for show and crit)

• Each resident is given a studio space with 24 hour access, 7 days a week

• Two 1-2-1 tutorials with Turps mentor and peer-to-peer contact with other painters

• Access to Turps & MASS Circle, an online platform for all current and former Turps and MASS artists

• 1 day visiting London galleries

Residency cost for 2024/25: £1600

Applications for Residency 04 (13th Oct– 30th Nov 2025) are now open. Application deadline: 30th April 2025.

Programme Leader: Scott McCracken
Mentors: Virginia Verran, Maria Farrar, Scott McCracken
Contact: scott@turpseducation.com

Address: Turps Gallery, The Chaplin Centre, Taplow House, Thurlow Street, London, SE17 2DG

RESIDENCY DATES/PAINTERS 2024/25

RESIDENCY 01, 14th October 2024 – 4th December 2024: Josephine Wood / Francesca Van Haverbeke / Masha Barks / Helen McCusker

RESIDENCY 02, 10th March 2025 – 28th April 2025: Pinky Tesfay / Taylor Franklin Quinn / Katya Granova / JEEHEE

RESIDENCY 03, 12th May 2025 – 1st July 2025: Alison Kruse / Edyta Jaworek / Kelly Worman / Poppy O’Brien

‘The Turps Residency has been a very fulfilling experience that has completely exceeded my expectations. It’s a richly filled programme where, besides getting a great space to make work alongside the other residents, you get access to many of the Turps community offerings. There’s talks, a well organised gallery day, valuable one-on-one time with mentors, crits with peers, and an exhibition at the end. All these things have been a massive help to further develop my practice in a short amount of time.’

– Francesca Van Haverbeke, Turps Residency 01

TURPS RESIDENCY FAQ

What is Turps Residency?

Turps Residency is an intense 7 week residency for 4 painters to work together in a communal studio space at Turps Gallery in south east London. 

Does the residency provide accommodation?

No, any residents who do not live in London will need to facilitate their own accommodation for the duration of the residency.

Where and what is Turps Residency?

Turps Residency takes place at Turps Gallery in Taplow House, one level below Turps HQ.   The residency is a 10-15 minute walk from Elephant & Castle Station, and close to major bus routes.  Taplow House is a brutalist residential tower block, and one of the last remaining buildings of the original Aylesbury Estate.

How much space does each painter get on the residency?

The residency studio is open-plan and communal. On average, each painter has a space of between 150 - 180 sq ft. 

How long is the residency?

The residency last for 7 weeks. This is broken down into 5 weeks of studio time, 1 week to plan/prepare for the show and 1 week for the show.

How is the residency structured?

The residency is structured to prioritise making work in the studio.  Each residency has around 30 days of studio time.  This is supplemented with 2 days of 1-2-1 mentoring and 1 day outside of the studio visiting London galleries and 1 day of studio visits.  There is a 2 week period allocated at the end of the residency to prepare and organise a group exhibition at Turps Gallery as well as a group crit led by Turps mentors.     

Is there a workshop/technician?

There is no workshop or technician at Turps.  Turps will provide a table and chair to each resident, but artists are expected to bring in their own materials and equipment to make work.  Turps will also provide a basic tool kit that can be shared between residents. 

How many days am I expected be in the studio?  Can I work part-time and still do the course?

The studio is available to access 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and we would expect painters to be working most days between Monday–Friday during the residency to get the most out of their time.  Participating on the residency for the 6-7 weeks is a significant commitment. 

How many times will I see my mentor and for how long?

You will see a mentor at various times throughout the residency for tutorials, crits and gallery/studio visits.  Tutorials last 60 minutes.  There will be a day long crit led by the mentors to conclude the residency.

What happens during the end of residency exhibition?

Residents are expected to tidy, repaint and empty the studios before the exhibition.  The work will be selected through conversations with the group and mentors.  Turps will take care of organising the opening and photography/documentation.  Resident artists will be responsible for invigilating the exhibition.  The show will last a maximum of 9 days.   

What is the fee?  Are there any additional costs?

The fee for the residency is £1600.  No, there are no additional costs apart from the residency fee.