BINGHAMTON, N.Y.(WBNG) — Binghamton artist Jacqueline Kachadourian is spending March immersed in her work as an Artist in Residence through the Broome County Arts Council, using oil paint to explore family history and Armenian heritage.

In the studio, Kachadourian says she’s drawn to the way oil paint can drip and blur — an effect that can feel like something being “erased” or “melted away,” rather than preserved.

“Kind of seeing the dripping of the paint in the oils… kind of it being erased and melted away, and not preserved, which is something I want to touch on and bring awareness to,” Kachadourian said.

Inspired by a monastery and a community’s displacement

Kachadourian’s current piece is inspired by the Gandzasar Monastery, and she connects the work to the displacement of Armenians from Artsakh.

She said the situation facing the Armenian Artsakh community did not receive widespread attention in 2023, leaving many people around her unaware.

“This displacement of the Armenian Artsakh people was not heavily in the news back in 2023. And so a lot of my friends… people in my community had no idea that this was going on,” she said.

How the Artist in Residence program supports local creators

The Broome County Arts Council’s Artist in Residence program provides selected artists with 24/7 access to a dedicated studio space throughout the month, along with a $250 stipend to help cover the costs of creating new work.

Kachadourian said the flexible access makes it possible to keep painting outside of a traditional schedule.

“Oh, it’s wonderful to be able to come in after work hours and even on the weekends, to be able to paint and do it on my own time,” she said.

Muren Lum, the arts council’s marketing coordinator, said the program is designed to support a wide range of artists.

“They are looking at artists’ potential, artist skill, the diversity,” Lum said.

Lum said beyond the studio space and stipend, the residency encourages artists to experiment.

“They have a dedicated space to really push them to try something new,” she said.

With time left in the studio before the month ends, Kachadourian says she’s making the most of the opportunity — and encouraging other artists to apply.

“You never know where the opportunity may lead. You get to explore your work, create new things, and that’s an opportunity that doesn’t come about often. So definitely apply if you’re interested,” she said.