Conversation Lab

An in-person text-based gathering of artists

Conversation Lab was born in 2023 out of a need for in-person connection, communion, and discourse in reaction to the isolation of the pandemic and the disembodiment of the internet. In exploring programming ideas, we interviewed local artists about what was needed in the Hudson Valley – the word on everyone’s lips was “conversation.” We are interested in the various artistic, personal, pedagogical, legal, and civic performances of conversation and how the vibrational space between is a seed for belief, movement, delineation, compromise, and invention. From these initial interviews and conversations, we co-developed a program for artists and academics who utilize textual research in their practice. Each year, Glasshouse chooses a theme to unify its programming and guide the cohort of interdisciplinary artists in Conversation Lab. This year explores the idea of A Permit/To Permit, a legal document, and the expansive ideas around what is permitted and who has permission. In the spirit of generosity and expanding the conversation, we will be archiving the titles of the texts read and key aspects of each conversation for an online database accessible to the public. Conversation Lab is a program co-created and facilitated by artist Shanti Grumbine.

Meet our 2025 Fellows

To House a River, is an ephemeral art show, born out of the 2025 Conversation Lab fellowship.