Artist Residencies Panel
Virtual on Zoom
Tuesday, September 16 at 7PM ET
Join Burnaway on Tuesday, September 16 at 7PM ET for a virtual panel on artist residencies in the South. Our Editor and Artistic Director Courtney McClellan will be moderating a conversation between Asa Jackson, President/CEO of McColl Center, Sarah Swinford, Director of Loghaven, and Heidi Gruner, Director of School of the Alternative. We’ll hear about what it’s like to run artist residencies in the South, their importance in arts ecosystems, the offerings and challenges of running a residency, and how to best serve local, regional, national, and international communities. They’ll also discuss what it’s like to bring artists from around the world to the South.
RSVP below for the virtual panel link!
About Asa Jackson
Asa Jackson (b. 1988) is an American multidisciplinary artist and arts leader based in North Carolina, whose work explores the intersections of global textile traditions, cultural histories, and personal narratives. He studied sociology at Boston University and began his career in New York, debuting his first solo exhibition at the Samuel Owen Gallery in Greenwich, CT. Jackson later founded 670 Gallery in Virginia and co-founded the CAN Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting sustainable creative careers. His work has been exhibited at MoCA Arlington, Virginia MoCA, the Harvey B. Gantt Center, and is held in collections including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Capital One Corporate Collection, The Rockwell Museum, and the Mint Museum, to name a few. In 2025, he was appointed President and CEO of the McColl Center in Charlotte, NC.
About Sarah Swinford
Sarah Swinford is the Director of Loghaven Artist Residency in Knoxville, Tennessee. Sarah launched Loghaven’s residency program with the core goal of providing transformative and fully supportive residency experiences for artists. Sarah enjoys building enduring relationships with artists and working directly with them to facilitate their work. Before joining Loghaven, Sarah spent ten years at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio, working with artists on residencies, performances, and workshops. Sarah previously served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Performance Network, the Heinz Family Foundation, and United States Artists.
About Heidi Gruner
Heidi is an art director, designer, and organizer who brings care and precision to every project. She’s spent years directing the School of the Alternative, an annual artist residency rooted in collaboration, imagination, and collective care. With a background spanning gallery direction to graphic design, her work blends big ideas with thoughtful, creative behind-the-scenes magic. Her work is defined by genuine curiosity, strong aesthetics, and a talent for making complex ideas feel cohesive and real.