ABOUT FUSE STUDIO:
Fuse studio was created to encourage artists to expand their artistic process and personal growth by giving them the time, space and tools needed to create, apart from the daily demands of life.
If you are interested in creating a body of work in the paper and paint mediums, Fuse Studio specializes in photography, works on paper, and encaustics. Fuse Studio can accommodate digital or analog photography, collage, printmaking, bookmaking and painting. Studio comes fully equipped with encaustic equipment, digital photography equipment and analog photography darkroom. It is ideal for the artist looking to start a body of work or produce an exhibition. Artists are encouraged to have an idea or process that they want to work with and a goal for time spent in the studio.
“Fuse Studio is an important part of my path as an artist. I have been fortunate to go to art college, Graduate School and teach as a professor at a college. What I enjoyed the most about the campus and educational experience was shared studio space. I have the opportunity with my studio, my digital workspace and home to recreate this feeling of shared studio space. I understand the frustrations and challenges about producing art. Fuse Studio offers the the equipment, time and room to make a body of art, work larger or try something totally new. I encourage you to explore the vast and diverse art culture in the city of Philadelphia. Come to the studio to completely immerse yourself in art and your creativity.” — Leah Macdonald
STUDIO FEATURES:
Encaustic Studio: private studio building, approx. 1500 square feet, roll up garage door, windows and skylight, heat/air conditioning, fans
Photography Studio: skylights for natural daylight, hot lights, video lights, tripods, roll up garage door, windows and skylight, heat/air conditioning, fans, photo shoot props
Plenty of Workspace: two 4 x 8 foot tables on wheels, 1 desk, storage shelves
Basic Tools: drill, hammer, screwdrivers, framing tools
Encaustic Tools: heat guns, torch, hot plates, extractor fan (ventilation),
Printmaking & Collage/Mixed Media Supplies: gelli plates, brayers, brushes, stencils, fabric, collage materials
Photography:
Digital Photo Lab:
Epson 3880 printer
Kodak scanner (film and flatbed)
Copy machine
Desktop Mac computer with Photoshop
Paper cutter
Hahnemuhle photo paper
Analog Photo Darkroom:
2 Enlargers
9 ft Sink
Film Holders
Lenses
Trays
Film Development Chemicals
Paper Development Chemicals
Clothes Line (for print drying)
Paper Drying Books
Tongs
Film Reels
Film Canisters
Accommodations:
Blue Room: twin bed and shared bathroom
Green Room: double bed, TV, and sofa and shared bathroom
Shared kitchen and laundry is available
Investment:
3 Days in blue bedroom: $345
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 3 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in blue bedroom.
3 Days in green bedroom: $405
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 3 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in green bedroom.
5 Days in small bedroom: $475
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 5 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in blue bedroom.
5 Days in large bedroom: $575
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 5 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in green bedroom.
7 Days in small bedroom: $605
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 5 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in blue bedroom.
7 Days in large bedroom: $745
Includes 4 hours of instruction with Leah and 5 nights at Fuse Studio. Lodging in green bedroom.
A la Carte Studio Rental:
Daily rental of just the studio space is also available for local artists (or visiting artists with lodging elsewhere). Rental fees are $75 per day (up to 8 hours). Reservation of the space must be made in advance. Daily rental fees do not include instruction.
Additional Info:
Stays over 7 days available by special request. Costs include use of all tools/equipment. Artists are responsible for supplies (wax medium, encaustic paint, pigment sticks, panels, film, darkroom paper, etc.). Supplies can be purchased at Fuse Studio with advance notice and/or at local art supply stores. Additional instruction time can be purchased a la carte.
Contact to book your reservation:
610-247-9964 or leahwax1@gmail.com
STUDIO BLOCKOUT DATES:
The studio is currently unavailable during the following dates:
April 19-21, 2024
May 15-September 8 (Green Room reserved)
June 20-23, 2024
Residency awards:
Summer of 2024:
A week stay at Fuse Studio will be awarded to two artists in the summer of 2024. Details to be announced.
TESTIMONIALS:
I signed up for a three day immersion in the art of photo encaustic with hopes that she might get me closer to my vision. It was there that I had my AHA moment! As if a light bulb had finally switched on in my head. I knew how to proceed. Thanks to Leah and that workshop I could finally realize how to use encaustic medium to enhance my photos.
Leah then offered me a private tutoring session in her studio in Philadelphia! Three days of one on one instruction! Staying in a room in her home avoided the high cost of housing and less driving time meant more hours creating! Each day we progressed in the steps of the photo encaustic process and in the afternoons I was left to my own devices in the studio. This is where I really grew, I felt a little intimidated at first as to what to do on my own but then finally proceeded without supervision. As a learner by doing this built my confidence and increased the understating of the process. I felt like a true artist in residence!
I will forever be in awe of her work and thankful for the welcoming hospitality in her home and studio. Between the undivided attention she spent with me and the alone time in the studio I grew as an artist and feel I am ready to build my portfolio.
- Shawn Hamilton
“I have been a student of Leah Macdonald's for three years. I originally turned to her during the pandemic because I love her creativity--her photographs, paintings, and, of course, encaustic wax creations. I was pleasantly surprised that she is an excellent teacher. ( I have an MA in Education from Johns Hopkins University.) Early in working with Leah I really wanted to experience, see, touch, what this whole new art form was about. I flew out (from Arizona where I live) to Pennsylvania to take a weekend workshop. She is fun to be with, brimming with ideas and solutions. She is very well organized in formally presenting steps in different parts of the wax encaustic process. And, she is a bundle of energy as she rotates to help students at different stages of their process. I'm a photographer who knows absolutely nothing about painting, mixing colors, etc. And, even though I've been taking photographs for more than 40 years, she is helping me to see in new ways. She has a unique ability to explain concepts in ways that I can understand. She has gently been coaxing me into trying out many different collaging, painting, and more complex encaustic techniques. When I get discouraged or frustrated she always has great ideas for me to solve a problem or go in a new direction. She's a great cheerleader, helping me identify my "style" as it emerges and giving me the skills to express my vision.
Time spent with Leah is time not just well spent but is enjoyable and inspiring.
- Pam Taylor
Working with Leah at her wonderful studio is inspiring, exciting, and truly delightful. She introduces you to new techniques and ideas that help you to stretch your own work in ways you didn’t imagine. She has all the materials and colors and supplies that fire your creativity. I couldn’t imagine a better place to work and play and learn and come out with ways to further your own work!
-Terry Gold