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On the CreativeGround With...

Marble House Project [View profile]

Posted July 30, 2025

Photo of white stone building

Q: What is a typical day like for you at MHP?

[Ed Morris, Executive Director]: Probably a lot of people would say this about their own organizations (or even their own lives!), but there isn’t really a typical day at MHP. We are primarily an artist residency program, though we are starting to branch out from that a bit by offering some events like a salon series in New York starting this fall, and we have always done these farm-to-table dinners with our culinary artists-in-residence. But a day looks very different when we have a residency in session than when we do not. When we have a residency in session it is mostly spent taking care of the behind-the-scenes stuff that allows the residents to work comfortably and undisturbed. A lot of maintenance, tending the large garden/small farm we have on campus and publicizing and planning the next residency. Fundraising of course is a year-round job.

Q: For those who may not be familiar with MHP what is the one event or offering at your organization that should not be missed?

[EM] Probably the most unique thing we do is the farm-to-table dinners. These are multi-course meals cooked by our culinary artists-in-residence. We host these meals in a large, beautiful old barn that we have on campus and there is often some form of live music or other entertainment. We only do several a year, so don’t miss them. We also host a free and open to the public open studio event on the last Saturday of every residency called ARTSeed—the idea being both that the guests get to see the seed of the work that was planted during the artists residency and also that the art plants a seed in them. That is how art works—it plants seeds in the hearts and minds of the people that see it or hear. It is impossible to tell what that seed will grow into in a given person.

Q: How about what you’re reading. What is your favorite arts blog or online publication?

[EM] I am always reading several books at once. Most of them are usually ecology related or specifically art-and-ecology related. One of the reasons I have come to Marble House is to shape and strengthen Marble House’s longtime commitment to sustainability. And of course as part of the artist duo Sayler/Morris I myself am an eco-artist. So right now I am reading Is a River Alive by Robert Macfarlane; Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner and re-reading All Art is Ecological by Timothy Morton. In terms of art blogs and online publications I like e-flux and Hyperallergic. Regionally, I like artscope and, of course, CreativeGround!

Q: Name three New England artists, creative businesses, or cultural nonprofits we should all know about (and why!)

  1. In Situ Polyculture: a small artist residency near Putney Vermont that I really love. They are doing everything right and everything in the most beautiful, true and vital spirit. They get it and deserve loads of support.
  2. Southern Vermont Arts Center:  They have a lovely democratic spirit and great leadership. They do a lot of programming for the community.

Then a Vermont artist we had here this year:

  1. Carolyn Orosz , a poet living in Middlebury VT who is working on a collection of poems that explores different kinds of labor–the physical and mental labor of manual work, the particular labor of girlhood, stewardship for both the environment and self.  I read her poems and met with her while she was in residency and was very moved by her depth of feeling and her ability to render place. It is such an honor being able to support artists like Carolyn.

Q: What was a memorable New England community you visited and what did you see/do?

[EM] I love what is going in the North Adams / Williamstown MA area. I am a big fan of Joe Thompson who started and grew MASS MoCA, which is such a model for how the arts can be a catalyst for economic development and just plain old quality of life. So many great things have followed in the area. Most recently Tourist, which is more than a hotel as many people know but an amazing venue for the arts as well.

Q: How have you used CreativeGround to support the work of your organization? What benefits did you discover from using CreativeGround?

[EM] CreativeGround is an invaluable way for us to spread the word about we are doing, of course, but also for us to know where the solidarity lies. By maintaining an updated profile on CreativeGround, we’ve been able to connect with artists, cultural partners, and funders who are specifically looking to engage with organizations rooted in the New England creative community.

The next phase of Marble House is going to feature collaboration and partnerships as part of our emphasis on ecology. Being listed alongside so many peer organizations reinforces our shared goals and opens the door for new partnerships.  

CreativeGround is an ecosystem in and of itself and we are proud to be part of the diversity that makes it thrive.

Q: Why should other New England artists, creative businesses, and cultural nonprofits be listed on CreativeGround?

[EM] Simply put: Solidarity! There is so much richness all around us. Let us connect!

Thank you so much for the work that you do and for sharing it with us!

Until next time, where we deep dive into another CreativeGround profile. Stay creative!