The Sea Hag Restaurant invites New England-based artists working in two-dimensional media to apply for a unique opportunity to showcase their work in our dedicated art gallery space. This four-month residency will provide selected artists with the chance to display their artwork in a vibrant, high-traffic environment, offering exposure to a diverse audience of art enthusiasts and restaurant patrons alike.
Residency Details:
Location:Â The Sea Hag Restaurant & Bar 49 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge MA 02138
Duration: 4 months
Media guidelines:
Two-dimensional works (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, mixed media, etc.) Maximum size 7’w x 8’h, minimum size 3’w x 2’h, and/or entire installation must include a minimum of 100 sq/ft of works and a maximum of 275 sq/ft of works. Works can be mounted or hung using removable adhesives, and/or hardware. No power supply is available so any powered elements must be battery operated and battery life must be maintained by the artist during the 4-month display period. Work must be ready to hang and The Sea Hag does not provide labor for the installation, removal, or storage of the works.Â
Eligibility:Â
Open to all New England-based artists, we seek works that explore themes resonant with our restaurant's aesthetic and conceptual essence. Our decor emphasizes the natural world and humanity’s place within it, rejecting the traditional hierarchy of man over nature. Priority selection will be given to artists identifying in any of the following categories: female, non-binary, LGBTQ+, minority, or veteran.
The restaurant's name, The Sea Hag, is inspired by the Old English epic Beowulf, in which a warrior slays the ogre Grendel and then must confront Grendel’s mother, the Sea Hag before she can avenge her child. This concept is a spin-off of Grendel’s Den, a 50-year-old Harvard Square eatery named after the same tale. However, unlike the original narrative, we envision a space that reimagines the story, moving away from themes of oppression and violence. Instead, we celebrate a world where the powers of mysterious, ancient, or marginalized beings are not only acknowledged but invited to the party—an epic gathering where all are welcome.
In our narrative, the Sea Hag is a formidable female entity who rules the waters of the world. In our version of the story, all of the world is connected at the edge of her domain. Our cuisine draws inspiration from all shores of her realm, while our aesthetics are centered around natural textures, shapes, and energies.
We invite artists to submit works that align with these themes and contribute to the immersive experience we offer our guests.
What We Offer:
Exhibition Space: A prominent gallery space within the restaurant in the heart of Harvard Square for the full duration of the residency. The primary display wall is comprised of five spaces with protruding columns of 4 inches deep and 8 inches wide separating them. Two spaces are 4 feet wide by 8 feet high and three are 7 feet wide by 8 feet high. Additional spaces can be considered where appropriate.
Promotion:  Inclusion in The Sea Hag Restaurant’s marketing efforts, including social media, newsletters, and on-site promotional materials. The Sea Hag and our staff will provide a space for visitors to take business/postcards provided by the artist while their work is being displayed, and will keep an archive of past artist's contact information on our webpage for at least 6 months after the exhibit has ended.
Reception: An opening reception event hosted at the restaurant to introduce the artist and their work to the community.
