Residencies for artists from an array of disciplines.
Art and Community
Newnan ArtRez offers residencies to emerging and mid-career artists from various disciplines so they can pursue their art away from everyday pressures while engaging in community experiences that enrich Newnan and Coweta County’s cultural environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mission of Newnan ArtRez?
The mission of Newnan ArtRez is to offer emerging and mid-career artists a retreat to pursue visual, literary and musical projects away from daily pressures; to create opportunities for our community to engage with artists; and to support art experiences that enrich Newnan and Coweta County’s cultural environment.
Am I eligible to apply?
ArtRez welcomes applications from emerging and mid-career professional artists. We cannot host enrolled students.
ArtRez best meets the needs of painters, photographers and visual artists working in two dimensions; of composers and musicians with their own instruments; and of writers. We cannot accommodate potters, ceramicists or wood turners.If you work in a different discipline, please contact us to see if we can accommodate your specific needs.
ArtRez accepts one artist per residency. Partners are allowed with prior arrangement and ArtRez consent.
Where Will I Stay?
Gray Cottage is a renovated one-bedroom bungalow in Newnan, Georgia, 35 minutes south of the Atlanta airport. The peaceful cottage is next door to the Newnan branch of the University of West Georgia and a short walk to the lively town square filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Gray Cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and comfortable porches. Workspace includes an artist’s studio and an office with a large writing desk. We provide Internet Service, a flat screen television and cable, as well as a bicycle.
No smoking or pets are allowed.
Can I receive mail while at Gray Cottage?
No, the cottage does not have a mailbox. If you need to receive mail, we can make arrangements.
How Long Are Residencies?
Residencies can last from two weeks to two months.
When Can I Apply?
Applications may be sent to us at any time. Applications are reviewed quarterly, in January, April, July, and October.
Is There an Application Fee?
Yes, $35 non refundable
What Expenses Do I Pay?
Artists are responsible for travel, food, and art supplies.
Is a Stipend Provided?
A small stipend may be provided in some instances.
Does ArtRez ever Partner with Other Organizations?
ArtRez often works with West Georgia University and Newnan’s Carnegie Library, among other local organizations, to bring artists into the community. Organizations interested in partnering with ArtRez to host a residency should contact us directly. Partner Organizations may use the application we provide for their applying artists.
What Community Engagement Does ArtRez Expect From Artists?
Artists are expected to be available for involvement with the community. Artists are encouraged to create their own plan for community involvement, which may take the shape of free demonstrations, readings, workshops and/or open houses, etc. ArtRez helps artists connect with contacts in the community and helps publicize through local outlets and social media. Artists frequently sell their work in a farewell presentation.
Is ArtRez Non-Profit?
Yes, we are a non-profit organization. Under our non-profit parent organization Newnan Artist in Residence Inc., ArtRez has offered residencies to emerging and mid-career artists since 2015. Our board includes local writers, artists and community leaders.
Current Artist
Heather Ford
June 2026Heather is an Associate Professor of Design and the Art and Design Chair at Bradley University. She has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Bradley University and a BFA from the Illinois Institute of Art, both in Graphic and Interactive Design. She has been a professional in the design industry for over twenty years, with extensive experience in fine art, digital creative, and UI/UX across commercial and academic sectors. Heather is highly experienced in applying user experience design and research methodologies to websites, mobile, branding, and product design. She has been a designer for several Fortune 500 clients, working with companies and organizations such as Apple, OSF, U.S. Air Force, Maui Jim, United Way, NASA, Museum of Science and Industry, Nike, and Home Depot, utilizing a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach. Her art and design research and personal works merge the areas of fine art and technology-driven interactive experiences with a scientific process. She explores innovative, exciting user-centered design experiences, methods, and strategies that integrate user interface, user experience, and fine art. Heather develops innovative and exciting UCD skills, processes, and strategies that involve user participation across both fine art and digital environments. She combines human-centered experiences, incorporating drawings and illustrations, user interface and experience design, typography, printmaking, animation, and graphic design skills and techniques. When designing, the goal is to consider the human’s perception, context, environment, and physical space as they experience a new design methodology.
websitePast Artists
Carol Mitchell
Fiction Writer
July 2025Yxta Maya Murray
Writer
March 2025Jason Gordy Walker
artist
February 2025T.B. Grennan
Writer
JuneKeija Parssinen
Writer
JuneLeo Cordovi & Mär Martinez
Painters
May 2023Rusty Roden
Composer
January 2023Katie Cooper
Fine Artist
July-August 2022Amy Pabst
Fiber Artist | Quilter
MayChristine Vines
Fiction Writer
June 2021Graham Barnhart
Poet
March 2020, Winner of the Blackwell Prize in WritingShelley Graham Turner
Painter
June 2019Jessica Hudgins
artist
June 2018Meg Kaizu
writer and painter
April 2018Gray Cottage and the Newnan Community
Newnan, Georgia, is only 35 minutes south of the Atlanta airport; yet it feels a world away, offering small town hospitality along with sophisticated shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Located a few blocks from Newnan’s lively town square, Gray Cottage is a fully renovated one-bedroom bungalow with comfortable porches and ample workspaces for visiting artists.
city of Newnan