HISTORY
Founded in 2020, Atland came out of a decade-long dream to build a home for artists after founder Tori Lawrence started dreaming up residency possibilities when she co-founded The Iron Factory (a dance space in Philadelphia) with Lora Allen back in 2014. Influenced by artist residency programs that Tori’s attended as a choreographer over the years (Djerassi in California, Yaddo in New York, Playa in Oregon, Brunakra in Sweden, USF Verftet and LKV in Norway), we hope that Atland can live up to these great spaces.
Since 2020, we have been undergoing various construction projects to finish the house, surrounding structures, and land. We have come so far and could not have done this without the help from family, volunteers, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Pollination Project, the Chesterfield Cultural Council, the Lynn Anderson Fund, and our community who have provided support to this dream. Also thank you to friends Seth Wenger, Kevin Lips, Josh Doster for your help with recent construction projects and the dance deck build. And to Tilly Ryan, Lashway Lumber, and the J Team for helping mill wood on site and/or providing local timber for the projects.
the space
The home was designed by original owners Paul and Helene Copp with Northampton-based architect Tris Metcalfe. The Copps worked on the home from 2004-2020. We purchased the unfinished home in 2020 and have been working nonstop with friends, volunteers, and local artisans to complete the structure. We hope to finish building the home by winter 2025. Facing south towards Smith Pyramid, the entire timber frame structure was built sustainably using material entirely cut from trees on site. The birch, hemlock, pine, maple, and ash were milled with minimum needs leaving the trees close to original. The work is truly a palace of trees created by a community of brilliant local artisans: Walker Metcalfe, John Messmer, Josh Phelps, Alex Feinstein, John Taylor, Bob Spelman, and Bruce Roth.
Sharing similar design of stacked roof eaves seen in Japanese timber frame pagodas, the unique home was designed to create an efficient way of heating and cooling via a central wood stove that spans all floors encased by a hand-made spiral staircase by local welder, John Childs. To fair the cold winter climate, our space is insulated by a clay-tiled roof, warmed and lit by passive solar porches, and sided of both tile and metal, making it fire-resistant.
our name
A nod to the legendary dance filmmaker, Maya Deren, our name comes from her 1944 avant-garde film At Land. We honor her spirit as a groundbreaking female artist by offering support to those working in dance, film, and land-based art. Our space is women-owned/run and dedicated to Elizabeth Griffin, Pam Lawrence, and Amy Snow, who continue to inspire us in cultivating a magical gathering place for artisans who push the edges of their media.
atland artist residency
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