Amsterdam’s Marie-Renee Hoek’s Completes Bryan’s First International Artist Residency

Marie-Renee Hoek’s had some ideas about what she would work on during her month-long SEAD Gallery international artist residency in Historic Downtown Bryan, TX but she was prepared to let the experience shape her art. And shape her art it did.

During her stay, Marie-Renee lived at the Square 1 Downtown Events Center complements of the generous sponsorship of Winding Road Property Management. Steps from SEAD Gallery, Village Cafe and Downtown Uncorked, Marie-Renee soon came to know the warmth of the Downtown community. She was greeted by name, welcomed with hugs and rapidly transitioned from visitor to local. That’s community. That’s downtown and that’s what she captured in the five original works she produced during her stay.

In addition to producing art, Marie-Renee held open studios, offered artists talks, participated in Arts Council of the Brazos Valley’s Boots & Bar-B-Que event. She also ventured to Fort Worth to promote her residency and experience even more of Texas’ rich heritage at the famous Stockyards.

Marie-Renee’s art opened our eyes to the beauty and warmth of our hometown. Her presence helped us see ourselves in the context of a larger, world community. And, since she’s returned to her some, Marie-Renee is now an ambassador bringing tales of Bryan’s budding cultural and arts district to Amsterdam’s cultural class.

Many, many thanks to the City of Bryan, TX for their generous sponsorship of the Artist in Residence program and to our other sponsors including Cattlesoft, Downtown Uncorked, Winding Road Property Management and This is Water Theater.

Enjoy this look back on Marie-Renee’s artist residency.