farwell cottage residency 

A collaborative initiative between V4L and the owners of the cottage in Hillsboro, Virginia. The focus of this residency program is the weaving of creatives their perspectives into the fabric of the HIllsboro community. The goal is for visiting artists and creatives to add to the vibrancy of the community—rather than simply acting as tourist/spectators who depart without a trace or contribution to the host population.

upcoming residents

nancy l. cook, writer

January 12-February 10, 2025

V4L Arts and the town of Hillsboro, VA are eager to collaborate with social practice writer and teaching artist, Nancy L. Cook. Joining us from Minnesota, Nancy will be developing new writing based on the historical themes which permeate Hillsboro’s very atmosphere.

Formerly a lawyer dedicated to serving the legal needs of low-income communities and raising an adopted daughter on her own, Nancy has recently become a full-time writer. Her work focuses on justice themes, and in anticipation of Black History Month, we hope to develop energy and interest around Hillsboro’s Black historical figures and pre- and post-Civil War narratives. We also look forward to allowing her time and space to investigate and uncover other topics of interest related to Hillsboro.

In addition to hosting an Eat, Drink, and Be Literary event, she intends to offer a writing workshop during her stay. She is the founder of the “Witness Project,” a series of free community writing workshops in Minneapolis.

Read her blog

“The art of Memory: monuments, memorials & Momentos” This will be an evening of poetry, prose, imagery & music with Farwell Cottage writer-in-residence, nancy cook with music by Kate MacLeod. nancy is a poet and prose writer and founder of the minneapolis witness project. she will be presenting work developed while in residence in hillsboro. Kate is an award-winning neo-traditional americana musician local to hillsboro. Tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Hors d’oevres served and beer and wine for purchase. doors and bar open at 6pm.

past Residents

 

Katie stayed at Farwell Cottage in January of 2024 and taught an exciting and well-attended ‘Zine Making Workshop at Hillsboro’s Old Stone School. Katie said of her residency:

“My time at Farewell Cottage was creatively refreshing and offered me a chance to begin this year of my artistic practice with renewed focus. The hosts, Paul and James, were incredibly gracious and welcomed me warmly to Hillsboro. The combination of the remote location and the town's dedication to supporting art and artists made this the perfect residency to dream up new ideas and to experiment with new creative directions.”