Jajah + Kurt
Jajah was born stubborn, but she never won anything for it. Now she is a children’s rights lawyer moonlighting as a writer and violinist. Kurt was born restless, but finds solace in napping. He is a computer programmer, bassist, and likes to pretend he’s an audio engineer. Their home is based in Gray Castle Studios in Chicago, which is as close to an actual castle as either has been. They have worked together and apart across a variety of media, including publishing an irregular zine together, performing as the band Impossible!, and once accidentally convincing Rick and Katy that the zombie apocalypse had arrived.
First introduced to the Arkansas River Valley last summer, they fell in love with the area’s beauty, expanse, and richly storied history. Through the Watershed artist’s residency, they hope to unearth some of the most curious corners of local folklore, and curate them as the ardent though naive travelers that they are.
Terra Incognita
“…the vast wilderness lies before us. A veritable terra incognita, too broad and mysterious for a full lifetime’s observations.” — Excerpt from the Lost Codex, as the writer(s) stumbled upon the Arkansas River Valley at the turn of the 20th century.
This summer, through the Watershed artist residency program, we are proud to bring you “Terra Incognita” – a visual-literary-aural digest of flora, fauna, story, and song of the magical Arkansas River Valley. We will reveal again the forgotten treasures portrayed in the Lost Codex: from the giant hares of the Mosquito Range to the singing silver saw that led many a miner to either fortune or doom.
Little is known about the origins of the Lost Codex. What we do know is gleaned from precious fragments and homespun recollections, as the Codex was scattered far and wide, nearly lost to the tides of eternity. Pull up a chair, recline into the outlandish, live the tale and tell the tots, it will soon be time to venture into Terra Incognita.
The Watershed Residency
The Watershed Residency provides artists, craftspeople, and other professionals with the time and space to explore the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Residents are offered work and exhibit space in our historic Main Street building, and a choice of accommodations in a Leadville (former) miner’s house or a Lance four-season recreational vehicle. In exchange, residents are asked to create a specific project to showcase this distinctive region. Residents may also lead workshops to share their talents and/or skills.