Artist-IN-RESIDENCE
June 3-24, 2026
Charlie Reynolds
Charlie Reynolds is a queer and disabled artist who uses fiber arts and installation to grapple with his time served in the Navy during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Recipient of the 2024 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, Reynolds is interested in the theory of “queering” and the dissection of military culture through the examination of military artifacts.
Artist Statement
My project is centered on the beaches next to Good Hart Residency. Beaches and swimming used to be a big part of my life when I was younger and able bodied. Since being in a wheelchair, I’ve found myself excluded from my favorite activities. Beaches remain inaccessible to disabled people and drawing of an older project of mine, Beach Party, where I filled my living room with 1,000 lbs of sand, I want to consider how material is tied to memory.
In this iteration, I want to create a smaller, “Secret Beach.” Taking sand from Michigan beaches, I want to create a small, plain altar big enough to place your feet. When you place your feet into the sand, sounds of the sea will begin either by pressure plate or motion activated. I think I might also install curtains to hide the experience from you.
I am interested in the time based nature of this project. I want to place my feet in the sand every morning and hear the noises of the ocean, then record how the interaction makes me feel. It’s important that it’s authentic Michigan sand, allowing me to experience the same thing other Michiganders experience when they visit that beach. The benefit of this project is the longevity and portability of it. While Beach Party was constructed and destructed in 24 hours, this project can be experienced over a longer period of time and shared.
