Alchemy: The Evolution of a Social Practice

Abstract

As a visual artist and trained chef, I have explored the common ground between culinary and creative practices and community engagement by sharing food and conversation. An integral part of this work over the last decade is the Alchemy residency. This thesis explores and documents the trajectory and growth of Alchemy, an artist-led Ontario-based residency program, from a traditional two-week artist retreat on the Toronto Islands to an ongoing community-engaged art and food-sharing initiative in rural Hillier (population 100), Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario, between 2015 and the present. Alchemy’s activities and initiatives rest on four pillars: art, food, farm & community. I founded Alchemy in 2015 at Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts. Later initiatives have also been led by me, with steadfast collaboration of visual artist Tonia Di Risio. To date, more than 100 artists worldwide have participated in Alchemy residencies and events.