Artist Residency

The Buttermaker’s House Residency will welcome artists of many disciplines to the idyllic rural community of Markerville.
This historic country home sits in a beautiful tree-lined yard overlooking the Medicine River in a quiet rural community. It was built in 1913 and its restoration journey began in 2020.
Thanks to Alberta Historic Resources, Red Deer County, generous private donors, and countless volunteer hours of work we are ready to open our doors to writers, musicians, painters, performers and more!
The 576 sq.ft. single family home has been completely renovated and restored for use by resident artists.
We hope to expand the number and size of available studio spaces and equipment that we can provide in the future.

Rest
Reflect
Create
Connect
  • Residents will have use of a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, office, and basement studio.
  • Markerville is a vibrant, welcoming community located in the beauty and quiet of Central Alberta.
  • The Artist Residency is the result of work done by Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society who manage five other Provincial Historic Resources in the area: Fensala Hall, the Lutheran Church, the Markerville Creamery, and Hola School along with Tindastoll Cemetery.
  • Stephansson House, a provincially operated historic site, is located nearby.
  • Markerville Creamery Kaffistofa, located across the street, serves up ice-cream, coffee, and Icelandic dishes from May to September. It also has a very active year-round coffee club.
The available space and equipment make this residency ideal for writers, musicians, painters and performers. There is a small office and basement studio space, a nearby community hall that could be used for rehearsals and concerts as well as gallery spaces for artists who wish to show work. Artists of various specialties are welcome to apply and we will do our best to accommodate you.
As a visiting artist you would be welcome to join in with activities in the hamlet. Fensala Hall is a venue for live music concerts and other community events. Artists and artisans exhibit and sell their works at annual events in Markerville such as Artists on the Avenue and Christmas in Markerville.
As a resident artist you will have opportunities to add your own distinctive colour to the cultural fabric of our community. Artists may give talks, workshops or sharing of the work they have done. Musicians and performers might choose to do a show in Fensala Hall. Writers could do a reading or sharing and visual artists may leave a small work in the community which can be sold at a silent auction in support of the residency. Each artist can decide for themselves how they would like to connect with the community and share what they are working on.
Residencies are from one week to three months. Costs are based on $75.00 CAD per night. Residents are responsible for their own transportation to Markerville, all food, toiletries and artistic supplies. Towels and bedding will be provided.
Eligibility
  • Artists and writers with, or working towards, a professional practice and at any stage of their careers are eligible. Residencies are intended as creative opportunities for artists and writers working in all genres and mediums. Artistic merit and promise are the basis for selections. Both established and emerging artists and writers are encouraged to apply.
  • Collaborators may be accepted for a residency and are asked to submit a joint proposal.
  • An Artist Residency Award was established in 2024, funded by the Icelandic National League of North America (INLNA) and administered by The Buttermaker House Management Committee. Artists with Icelandic Heritage or artists working on projects relating to, or inspired by Iceland, its people, culture, and/or environment may be eligible for this award. Open to all disciplines of art. Please note that applications for the award in 2025 are now closed. Visit the information page for more.
Residency Contract
Successful applicants will receive a written ‘Residency Contract’ in the mail prior to their residency dates. They are asked to sign and return the contract via, email or post with their first payment installment.
CTV News: Restoration of historical Buttermaker's House in Markerville, Alta., now complete