Lucy Sterezylo

As the County Arts Artist in Residence for January 2024, we are happy to shine a spotlight on Printmaker Lucy Sterezylo.

In addition to hosting an Arts & Letters Club during her January residency, giving members of the public the chance to get creative and write love letters to Prince Edward County, she will also be facilitating an Intaglio Printmaking workshop at the County Arts Lab in February. Read on to hear more about her artist residency, her sources of inspiration, and reflections on being an Artist Facilitator during County Arts’ Healing Through Art Program in partnership with Hospice Prince Edward.

Please describe your artistic practice in a sentence or two:

I am a full-time artist living and working in Prince Edward County. In my studio, Stareatjello Paper and Press, my practice focuses on letterpress printing, printmaking and bookbinding. Whether baking, sewing or in my studio, what I enjoy most is exploring and sharing my creativity and passion for making.

Tell us about any artistic projects you have going on this upcoming month that you’d like people to know about:

I am filled with gratitude to have been selected as County Arts’ Artist in Residence for January 2024. During my residency, I will look at letter writing as a medium for artistic expression. I am keen to explore the marrying of hand-penned words with hand-drawn illustrations to examine how incorporating illustration shapes the experience of the written word.

Most importantly, the residency will allow me to contribute to and support art-making in the County, and bring the community together. I am excited to host an Arts & Letters Club at the County Arts Lab. Meetings of the Club will see folks come together to share space while creating illustrative love letters to the County.

What have you worked on recently that has you excited, either personally or professionally?

In the autumn I had the pleasure of being an Artist Facilitator for the Healing Through Art program, a partnering of County Arts and Hospice Prince Edward. Working alongside multidisciplinary artist Kelly Cade, volunteer Sharon Hart, and the wonderful group of participants was very inspiring and beautiful. I cherish the memories shared and made, and was happy to guide the creation of such rich and meaningful artworks.

Where in the County do you find the most creative inspiration?

The County offers an abundance of creative inspiration through its people, galleries, shops, markets, events, food… the list goes on and on! One of my favourite aspects of the County is its gorgeous landscape. Nothing beats a walk on the beach during the winter months — the colours, sounds, textures and smells— it’s quite rejuvenating and offers a welcome reset and focus to carry on with my creative pursuits.