Artist Residency Program

Meet Addoley Dzegede:
An interdisciplinary artist of Ghanaian-American heritage, Addoley Dzegede's work weaves a captivating narrative exploring the depths of identity and authenticity. With a remarkable portfolio of achievements, including a Fulbright award in Craft to the Netherlands for 2022-2023 and accolades such as the 2018 Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grants and the 2018 Great Rivers Biennial award from the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, she stands as a trailblazer in the world of contemporary art.

A Global Portfolio:
Dzegede's artwork has graced exhibitions across the United States, Europe, and Africa. Her extensive list of previous artist residencies includes locations like Noresund, Norway; Knoxville, Tennessee; Accra, Ghana; Sinthian, Senegal; Paris, France; and The University of Kansas. Her educational journey, from a BFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art to an MFA degree in Visual Art from Washington University in St. Louis, has enriched her artistic vision.

A Unique Residency Program:
In Pittsburgh, Ms. Dzegede's residency was a partnership between two prominent East End cultural organizations. ALMA | LEWIS, founded in 2017 and operating from its current location in the X-Factory on Lynn Way in North Point Breeze since 2021, offers three-month residencies for Black visual artists. This comprehensive residency provided the artist with studio space, living accommodations, an honorarium, access to classes, specialized artmaking facilities, and a stipend covering essentials like food, transportation, and supplies.

Celebrating and Engaging with the Community:
ALMA | LEWIS places significant emphasis on community engagement. Each residency begins and concludes with open houses, inviting the public to witness the artist's creative journey. Furthermore, visiting artists actively participate in various public programs, further enriching the cultural landscape of Pittsburgh.

Photograph by Lyndon Barrois Jr.

Addoley Dzegede, Give or Take, 2019, Screen printed reactive dye on linen, metallic gold paint, 122x81 cm (48x32 in)

Addoley Dzegede, Grace and Antony, 2021 Reactive dye on cotton (batik and painted), 76 x 56 cm (30x22 in)

Addoley Dzegede, Surveillance, 2023, Batik and screen printed reactive dye on cotton, 152x160 cm (60x63 in)

Addoley Dzegede, Center Stage, 2021, Reactive dye on cotton (batik and painted), 61x46 cm (24x18 in)

Addoley Dzegede, A Different Kind of Wealth, 2022, Handspun, strip-wooven cotton cloth from Burkina Faso, dyed with indigo, raffia, 23x11.5x23 cm (9x4.5x9 in)