May 17 - 31, 2023
Graphic Design & Portfolio Master class with the added element of a nature immersion homestead style experience. If you are at an in-between spot, this could be the reinvigoration for the journey ahead. Open to fine artists, graphic designers, and others interested in the subject.
Are you seeking to develop your brand and portfolio as you embark on your journey as an artist? Do you want to bulk up and polish your design portfolio beyond college assignments? Are you preparing for grad school and need to refine your portfolio?
During this two week intensive with a maximum of 9 participants, a customized plan will be created per participant based on your background and goals. Taught by a former tenured graphic design associate professor with more than 20+ yrs in academia and also the former president of three AIGA chapters active in the industry for as many years. The main course will be a ‘Brand Me’ version of design coach Val’s design portfolio and brand identity college courses.
Venture into a rural homestead experience where you’ll not only enjoy the splendor of May in Tennessee with pops of color and flowers blooming, but also get to HUG DONKEYS, visit chickens, peacocks and peahen, cats, two rabbits, and the two farm dogs. Take a break in a hammock or go skip rocks on the Buffalo River on the edge of the camp’s 17 acres. On day one connect yourself to the land and a disconnected state from modern hectic society with a guided Forest Therapy session - inspired by the Japanese Forest Bathing - and through out the program participate in some of the activities of the farm style chores most often in food prep and meal clean-up.
Discover additional activities including book-binding, watercolor, and nature photography along with the main portfolio course.
Program fee includes lodging (+applicable taxes), meals, instruction, and a camp swag kit with some workshop materials.
all the details: https://www.sarasvati.space/summercamp
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Let your creativity FLOW LIKE THE BUFFALO river on the edge of our acreage. May is the most wonderful time to spend in rural Tennessee and is a perfect time to kick-start your summer. This alternative to a study abroad, may-mester, or maybe even your pitstop from graduation to work-life will nurture your spirit and your senses as you connect to the land and the camp animals over the two weeks.
Individuals must be able to let the normal world and lifestyle go during your stay and it is encouraged that you utilize the time and access to the benefits of being away from contemporary society. If you cannot go a day without your favorite coffee shop visit, have fast food on the brain, or need lots of 'lights and action' around to function, this is not the place for you.
Be prepared for a different sense of time here and your project goals may actually go faster because you don't have your normal life distractions.
This is a group residency experience as a master class with no more than 9 participants with a summer camp flair as additional workshops connecting you to nature with different mediums - analog primarily - will give you that reboot you need in your career path.
Program fee includes furnished lodging in private or shared rooms. Each of the residency houses are fully furnished and creatively decorated with communal areas and kitchens. The sleeping options include:
The Raspberry Residency House a private room with twin bed and shared hall bath and a double/triple room with full bed and twin bunks with a private bathroom.
The Lemon Lodge features a private room with full bed and the shared hall bath, a double room with private bath including King and Twin beds, and a loft set up like a dorm with several twin beds.
The Camphaus has a Queen with Twin bunk en suite and a Queen private room with shared bath.
More details on the program website including Program fee based on lodging choice: https://www.sarasvati.space/summercamp
Please visit https://www.sarasvati.space/residency-overview for the most up to date information on rooms and residency fees. As an emerging residency that is artist-led, there is not a foundation or funds. The philosophy that a fee is an acknowledgement of the founder's investment in this special place and the creative exchange we all have as individuals, the non-human inhabitants, and the land itself.
This residency includes food in the program fee.
Please see the program page for more information about the program fee.
There are no grants, scholarships, or other funding available. If you are applying for funding, please let us know ahead of time if you need information.