Thread is a residency program and cultural center that allows local and international artists to live and work in Sinthian, a rural village in Tambacounda, the southeastern region of Senegal. It houses two artists’ dwellings, as well as ample indoor and outdoor studio space.

Thread’s socio-cultural role is most pronounced in its function as an agricultural hub for Sinthian and the surrounding villages.

Its staff provides the community with sustained agricultural and organizational training, while the physical site offers several gardens that locals cultivate for sustenance and as an income source.

In addition to being served by a bore well, the building’s roof collects and retains rainwater, creating an ongoing water supply for these agricultural projects, which is crucial during the eight-month dry season. 

Thread was designed to be a flexible and evolving public space, and the local population uses it in a variety of ways.

It hosts celebrations, school performances, classes in language and health, village meetings, and an annual soccer tournament that draws thousands of people to Sinthian each fall.

The team behind Thread speaks to its collaborative nature. This is a project about connection and linkage. Between two distinct points, persons, places, or perspectives.

To be like thread by forming connections that run through us, and not around us. 

Together we are using art to develop connections between rural Senegal and other parts of the globe.

Thread is best suited for artists who are able to work independently in their studio. We do not expect collaborations with local artisans; rather, we are interested in the convergence of everyday rural endeavours with the visiting artists’ visual arts practices.

The residency will run through October 2025 ie four weeks (please note there will be another artist in residence while you are there).

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

CONTEXT:

Thread is used year-round as a socio-cultural centre, agricultural hub, and vocational training facility by the community of Sinthian and its neighboring villages. The residency program is one component of this space, and as a resident you will be a guest in the community.

LOCATION:

Sinthian is a remote village. If arriving in Dakar, artists will be driven the seven hours to Tambacounda city (the largest city in the Tambacounda region), and then on to Sinthian, which is one hour drive from the city.

This isolation is one of the great luxuries of Thread, and while residents will have the opportunity to go to the city once in a while for supplies, cell phone service, and internet when they need to, Thread is not the residency for those that need to stay “in-touch” at all times.

FACILITIES:

Each residence contains a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and private indoor studio space. This is in addition to outdoor studio space, and the main, public area of the building, which is used by many different people and children from Sinthian.

There is plumbing and electricity in each residence, though these utilities should be used modestly. The building is designed using local techniques to create airflow and natural air conditioning. The studios are blank spaces.

Meals and basic materials are provided as is all transport in Senegal. Reasonable costs for international flights will be covered (up to £500).

MATERIALS:

It will be possible to buy basic materials such as pens, crayons, and paper during trips to the city of Tambacounda. If you want to work with quality paper, or any specific materials, you will need to bring these with you.

LANGUAGE:

French and Pulaar (along with a few other West African dialects) are spoken in Sinthian, along with some English.

CLIMATE:

You will be staying during the rainy season when it rains tumultuously but briefly most days,

JUDGES

Mattias Vico Persson, the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation

Matthias manages Contemporary art & Project direction at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. As an artist in his own right he has won a number of awards and residencies, he is also a curator and highly experienced arts project manager. 

Laura Ford PRSS

Laura Ford studied at Bath Academy of Art between 1978-82 including a period at the Cooper Union School of Art, New York.

Then completed an MA at Chelsea School of art 1982-83.Her work is represented in many public collections including; Tate, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Government Art Collection.

Laura's  sculptures are faithful representations of fantasy with sometimes bitter sweet and menacing qualities mixed with tenderness.

She uses humour and an acute observation of the human condition to engage with wider social and political issues.

Her work is intensely crafted but playful, and she has used a range of media to realise her work including, drawing, painting, performance, set design and has increasingly taken on the challenge of public art alongside museum and gallery shows.

Sokari Douglas Camp, sculptor

Sokari Douglas Camp was born in Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria. She studied fine art at Central School of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art.

Sokari has represented Britain and Nigeria in National exhibitions and has had more than 40 solo shows worldwide.

ENTRY FEE 

The entry fee is:

Society members – £7.50

ENTRY PROCESS

To complete this application, please provide the following:

·         Five images of recent work

·         A CV of no more than two pages long

·         A statement telling us how an exchange of ideas might impact your practice (200 words)

The closing deadline for applications is 5pm Tuesday 8 April 2025. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive feedback will not be given at this stage. The winners will be announced w/c 21 April 2025.

RULES & GUIDELINES 

By submitting an application, the entrant promises that all of the information comprised in the application is correct.

The entrant also promises to comply with these rules and any other requirements specified by the Society (whether on its website or otherwise) and the Society reserves its right to exclude any entry which in its opinion does not comply.

All applications must be made using the online form. No hard copy applications will be accepted. Applications must be received by the closing date specified.

Any submissions must be lawful, it must not be offensive, obscene, racist, discriminating or otherwise objectionable and it must not contain any form of advertising.

Entrants grant the Royal Society of Sculptors the unrestricted right (without royalty) to reproduce images of any work in connection with the Thread residency be it online, printed or otherwise disseminated.

The Judge’s decision is final. If the Royal Society of Sculptors is unable to contact any short listed artist or winners via the email address supplied by the entrant, the shortlist position lapses and the Society reserves the right to select alternative winners.

ELIGIBILITY 

Applications are welcomed from all Royal Society of Sculptors members. For your application to be accepted, your 2025 annual membership fee must be paid in full by the submission deadline or an existing quarterly direct debit be in place.