Newberg, Oregon (February 1, 2021) — A to Z Wineworks is pleased to announce their 2021 Artist-in-Residence, abstract painter Hadley Hatcher. A pandemic furlough from Hatcher’s career in the music industry allowed her to return from Los Angeles to finally work an A to Z harvest in Oregon. After completing the required harvest internship, this prolific, self-taught painter applied to continue her work as the winery’s second Artist-in-Residence. A lifelong artist, she focused on photography when she was younger but has shifted her creative focus to devote more time to painting in recent years, as captured below in her studio by A to Z’s first Artist-in-Residence, Adrian Chitty.
Daughter of two of the winery’s co-founders, Hatcher grew up surrounded by vineyards and immersed in the Oregon wine industry, occasionally skipping classes at Newberg High School to clean barrels. A University of Vermont graduate in Classics and Eastern European literature, she studied for a year at the University College of London while bartending in Soho to fund her travel. Examples from Hadley’s portfolio and additional photos of her painting in her studio can be viewed here.
An exhibition of photos by British photographer Adrian Chitty, A to Z Wineworks’ first Artist-in-Residence, is on display at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg as well as online until February 28th. “Transformations: A to Z Wineworks’ Artist-in-Residence – A Year in Review,” is an arresting collection of photographs documenting the winemaking process since Chitty arrived to work as a harvest intern in 2019. Each image is accompanied by a detailed description of the content and composition in English and Spanish. Adrian Chitty was given unusual trust, time, and access throughout the company which resulted in intimate portraits of the staff as they focused on their tasks. The photographs honor the hard work and dedication of many who are often unsung in the wine industry.
Applications for A to Z Wineworks’ third Artist-in-Residence will open this spring. The 15-month immersion program offers the opportunity to work and respond artistically over the course of a full vintage. The Artist-in-Residence will first join the seasonal harvest crew that A to Z recruits each year, now boasting 229 alumni from 21 countries. Following the initial harvest, the Artist-in-Residence receives support from A to Z and access to staff and properties for a year of artistic reflection and creation. During the residency’s second harvest, time is split between winery and artistic work. The residency concludes with a public showcase of some of the year’s work through a gallery showing, lecture, reading, or performance. For information on the program, prospective applicants can email Michelle Candelaria at michelle@atozwineworks.com.
About A to Z Wineworks
A to Z Wineworks captures “The Essence of Oregon” by carefully blending wines true to their variety exclusively sourced from Oregon vineyards. The family-owned company sets the standard for cool climate, food-friendly Oregon Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. In 2014, A to Z Wineworks became a certified B Corporation, earning recognition as a ‘Best for the World,’ top 10% B Corp every year since. Atozwineworks.com
