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Call for Artists working with wood

We are inviting artists working within the medium of wood to apply for a fully subsidised 4 week residency at the Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society in Yamanashi, Japan in towards the end of 2025. This residency, made possible through invaluable funding from Wales Arts International, offers an invaluable opportunity for an individual to immerse themselves in Japanese woodworking practices and traditions for a month, learning and sharing knowledge, while also visiting other workshops and traditional toolmakers.

The ethos of the Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society is set within the importance of the culture of wood. It has a public display of collections of chairs and other items and provides technical guidance and hands-on experience in woodworking and in so doing it contributes to the improvement of the cultural life of citizens, the preservation of the natural environment and the sound upbringing of children.

BACKGROUND

In September 2024, Plas Glyn y Weddw in Pen Llŷn undertook a joint project with Japanese artist Junko Mori and her partner, Welsh wood artist John Egan, to deliver the Coed Coexist Wood Symposium, held at Plas Glyn y Weddw. The essence of the project draws our attention to trees and woodland, seeking out wider connections, desires and reliance on these ecosystems while connecting community, creativity and environmental stewardship. The project as a whole aspires to celebrate the local area and the communities based in Pen Llŷn.

Building on the success of the symposium, Junko, John and Plas Glyn y Weddw are working to develop the Coed Coexist wider project including this reciprocal residency project to establish a lasting cultural and craft exchange between Wales and Japan. The aim is to foster connections between craftspeople, share skills and history while promoting cultural understanding.

This exchange offers, in the first instance, a Welsh artist working with wood an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese woodworking practices and traditions for a month. In return, a Japanese woodworker will journey to Wales to undertake a month-long residency at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, where they will receive expert guidance and mentorship from the renowned John Egan and Junko Mori studio. Both artists will further enrich their experience by engaging with local craftspeople and exploring traditional tool shops, gaining deeper insights into the unique woodworking heritage of their respective host countries.

NB Please note that the facility at Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society is not accessible for people with physical disabilities. In addition, the Society is located on a very steep hill and transport is not generally provided except potentially once a week to go to a supermarket. Otherwise travel is on foot or by bicycle to the nearest town. There is public transport within the town but this does not have provision for those with physical disabilities. 

DURATION:

4 consecutive weeks between 8 November - end December 2025

The Residency includes:

  • Access to workshop space and time with the master Tak-san
  • Flights and transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Subsistence
  • Opportunity to buy specialist Japanese woodworking tools but the artist will have to fund these themselves, (please note artists are also welcome to bring their own hand tools to the residency)
  • Opportunity to visit other workshops and toolmakers
  • Support from Plas Glyn y Weddw leading up to and throughout the Residency (including any admin, pastoral support etc)

What isn't covered:

Who can apply:

  • Particularly focused towards early and mid career artists living and working in Wales who are keen to develop their practice in exciting new ways.
  • Artists who are available for 4 weeks between 8 November and the end of December 2025
  • We encourage applications from underrepresented artists including from low-income backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ artists and artists from the Global Majority. Proposals from Welsh speaking artists are welcomed. (Due to the limitations and location of the facilities in Japan it is advisable that any artists with long term health conditions or disabilities contact us before making an application).
  • We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply. 

Application Requirements:

  • Artist statement (500 words max) outlining your practice and how it aligns with the residency theme.
  • An artist biog or cv
  • Project proposal (500 words max) outlining how you see this opportunity contributing to your practice and the potential wider impact upon the two countries.
  • Portfolio of recent work (up to 10 jpegs images and / or links to videos).

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by: 5pm, 30 May 2025

Selection Process:

A panel of selectors will review applications based on artistic merit, project feasibility, and alignment with the residency theme. Selectors will include Junko Mori, John Egan, Mr. Yoshino/ Tak-san from Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society, Plas Glyn y Weddw representative/s

How to apply:

For any enquiries: Email john@makinglittle.co.uk or alex@oriel.org.uk

How to Apply: Submit applications by email to alex@oriel.org.uk

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