WINTER RESIDENCY
November through March
Apply between May 14 and June 25
“I felt like I was with my people. There were no egos, everyone had the same sense of exploration, the same wonders about the work.”
It’s a different Wassaic in the winter. We trade swimming holes for bonfires, the Luther Barn for the Old Hotel in Maxon Mills — where residents work out of 80–100 square foot studios in converted 19th-century hotel rooms. It’s a cozier space, but one with plenty of room to experiment: residents are free to undertake large-scale projects throughout the non-winterized mill spaces. While our print shop closes for the winter, residents have 24-hour access to their studios, our wood shop, and our ceramics studio. And they live just a short walk away in one of our two residency houses, the Schoolhouse and the Lodge, where accommodations include a private bedroom, shared living room/study, dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms.
Programming
Two to three times per month, creative professionals will visit to give public lectures and make one-on-one studio visits with creative professionals our residents. Our embedded critics, Adam and Lauren (of Ghost of a Dream), will lead group studio visits.
All artists are also invited to participate in a monthly evening of artist’s talks and presentations, and are encouraged to be available on the last Saturday of every month to participate in our Open Studios program.
fees, fellowships, and financial assistance
The cost of the Winter Residency is $5,000 per month — which includes studio space, housing, and extensive programming, performance, and exhibition opportunities. But thanks to continued support from our donors and granting organizations, all residencies are offered at $700 per month per resident.
We are, however, able to offer up to $300 in need-based (as self-reported in their applications) financial assistance to residents for whom it would be impossible to attend without financial support.
Residents with education experience are encouraged to apply for our Education Fellowship, which awards no-fee 2-3 month residencies in exchange for extensive participation in our education programming. And our merit-based Mary Ann Unger Fellowship awards a no-fee one-month residency to one resident each summer.
Collaborators and partners
We love collaborative teams. Teams and couples willing to share a bedroom and a studio may share the cost of enrollment, but will incur an additional impact fee of $100 per month. Couples who need separate studios should apply separately.
community service
Because we're an artist-run organization focused on strengthening and supporting our community, all residents (except our Education Fellows and Family residents) are required to work eight hours per month during their time in Wassaic. Residents work alongside staff members and help us out with installation/de-installation of exhibitions, the Art Nest, our community garden, office organization, and projects in the larger community. It’s our way of prioritizing community development: we want artists and Wassaic locals interacting, collaborating, and working together.
REVIEW PROCESS
Applicants are evaluated by a review committee composed of our Co-Directors, Residency Director and professionals in the field. Residents are selected based on the quality of their work, commitment to their practice, and ability to interact positively with the community at large.
Photos by Walker Esner