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THE VALI DREYFUS FIRTH STUDIO 
My time in Firth Studio @macdowell1907 was an absolute dream. And yet, it was absolutely real. This studio transformed me, my work, my understanding of what's possible as I look forward to my future as an artist... even, what is necessary. This studio space helped me expand, to connect with other artists, and to grow my work. Most of the time I was peacefully alone, moving from one question to the next, pausing to really see the overview of what I was holding, sitting at the writing desk, writing, thinking, gazing at the clouds, pausing for lunch and a ten-minute nap on the screen porch, leaving for dinner with the ritual of returning home to the beacon on the hill, viewing the sky full of stars, emerging from the forest to that howl-worthy blue moon, sometimes working late into the night before ascending the staircase to my sleeping chambers, dreaming to the symphony of crickets and wind blowing through the field grasses and Bobcats giving birth (that's my story, I'm sticking to it) in the dead of night, waking 5am-early with the sun, floating back down that staircase to meet my work with my brightest eyes, leaving for breakfast when I hear Mary's wheels on the gravel, or just in time to pickup Kelani, or with a scarf over my head to fight off the flies, or when I see Karina emerge around the corner of my studio, or knowing that Vini is looking for me. The days rolled through these patterns of solitude and community, of seeing and being seen, of lunch visits, tarot readings, deep conversations on the porch, studio visits, open studios, feedback, encouragement, inspiration, short film-making, farewell evenings, singing into the natural amplifier, gathering, discovering traditions passed down, sharing, marking the time, making portals to help me remember how it all feels, recognizing that groups change and dynamics shift and we all experience the world through our own lenses... and that is a wonder to behold. It was a wonder to be held in this space, specifically in Firth. 

I met Vali's granddaughter during the Medal Day festivities. To now be part of her + the MacDowell legacy is profound. Across time, thank you Vali. 🙏❤️
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I lived in residency @macdowell1907 for 8 weeks as part of the rotating Summer '26 cohort. To summarize my experience in words feels impossible, though I have been trying to synthesize time and emotion and the ingredients required to experience the kind of change that is possible at MacDowell. In my final days, it became about TIME ... realizing I had been operating in ancestral-time for several years, trying to bring context to family and lineage. The moment I stepped foot onto the grounds at MacDowell I entered the realm of my own lived-time. The last time I'd really lived as an individual, out in the wild world, was 30+ years ago in Finland. My time at MacDowell allowed me to simply be me, no labels/titles... but also to face me, to reflect on myself, my insecurities, my hang-ups, the limitations, and critical voices, and all the ways I suppress and disconnect and have learned to separate myself from my own instincts, thoughts, desires, and opinions in service of "other" - expectations, judgements, conclusions, preconceived notions. TIME found me through the rising and setting sun, through the clouds moving across tree tops, the wind and rain, grasses and birds. Time found me in a nourishing routine and wide open days that begged me to choose what I wanted to do. (What did I want?) Time found me in the hearts of people, shared energy. I learned what presence truly is for me, not meditation or quieting everything, but being alive and awake to myself in every moment, possible. Being open, aware, and attuned to sensations and feelings (so many feelings!) in real time. Connecting, eye to eye, heart to heart, mind to mind, idea to idea with people: creative, magnificent people who are experiencing their own version of awakening freedom. Person to person, seeing the fire inside another -and- learning to believe the fire inside myself is visible, too - that is enough. Oh the joy that comes from savoring that which is enough!

MacDowell has gifted this to artists since 1907. Transforming our understanding of what is possible by giving time and beautiful (studio) space to live in community with a diverse group of magic-makers. I am changed. Will never be the same.

Fi
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Bought a Steamdeck convinced I'd have nothing to do at @macdowell1907 once the sun set. Switched it on three times. Evenings were spent instead on ping pong, presentations, movies, talking, ping pong, walks under the moon, ping pong, ping pong, ping pong. The most productive and unproductive I've ever been, with some of the best and most interesting people I've had the privilege to get to know over a tiny period of time.

(Also this is easily the most I've ever been photographed in my life and still @dzz.daisy complained we didn't take enough)
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Medal Day weekend 2026 @macdowell1907 was like a dream that lingers even after you've woken up - full, vibrant, gratifying, and - like everything MacDowell - nourishing. From the gorgeous dinner on Saturday night, to Anthony Braxton's heart-warming speech, to welcoming an estimated 300 folks into FIRTH studio during Open Studios... I tried to remain present in each moment as it happened. I am grateful that my studio-docent, Erin, took so many good pictures while I was chatting away.  

Thank you, MacDowell, for having me in residence during such an exciting time! Thanks to my fellows/friends for making it so fun!
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@macdowell1907 was a dream…As I re-enter society…I am not even sure I was ever there…that said, I have some photos and a new series of paintings and many new friends to take with me so it seems it really happened. My heart is full. I grew as an artist and a person and I am deeply grateful to all the staff and fellows who helped to create and hold our shared space. What a gift, I will miss you all!
#artistresidency #fellow #macdowellfellow #gratitude
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💚🧚 Magical memories @macdowell1907 as a May-June MacDowell Fellow ✨ Here's a peek behind the scenes of my life at MacDowell: my studio, the gorgeous NH landscape, the wonderful desserts, the incredible library, caterpillar collaborations, and the star art I made too! 🌟 Grateful to have worked alongside a brilliant cohort at such a magical place 💫

🩵 What did I work on @macdowell1907? From the cosmic to the microscopic, this residency took me from astro-photographing stars over rural New Hampshire night skies to collaborating with the incredible local science nonprofit @the_caterpillar_lab to create a whimsical new film project featuring caterpillars and miniature coffee cups. 🐛☕️ Enjoy! 

1. 📸 Official MacDowell portrait c/o Oriana Camara
2. 🙏 @macdowell1907
3. 🥾 Log Cabin hike
4. 🩵 New Hampshire Studio, my spot!
5. 🎥 Filming emerging Luna moths in my studio 
6. 🧺 Lunch basket 
7. 📚 James Baldwin Library tour 
8. 🍽️ Main building 
9. 🍰 Many amazing desserts
10. 🍨 Homemade strawberry rhubarb ice cream
11. 🍃 Daily walk thru the woods
12. 🐛 Collaborating with @the_caterpillar_lab
13. ☕️ Caterpillar w/ mini coffee cup, 1
14. ☕️ Caterpillar w/ mini coffee cup, 2
15. ☕️ Caterpillar w/ mini coffee cup, 3
16. ⛰️ Mount Winslow hike 
17. 🌱 Fern POV
18. 🧡 Eft newt
19. 🌟 New Hampshire Studio at nite
20. 💫 Film I created of Star-trails @macdowell1907 which you can watch in my reels 

#virginialmontgomery #madeatmacdowell #artresidency
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