Bearnstow Artist retreat
Expanding on Bearnstow’s long history, we welcome individual artists and small groups of collaborative partners in any discipline to submit proposals to our Artist Retreat program. We provide a place for in-depth creative exploration amid a pristine, wooded lakeside setting, rich with natural beauty and a spirit of camaraderie.
We understand the need for having time and space to do one’s work. Diving deeply into artistic collaboration and inquiry, experimenting with motion, media, sound, text or other materials, your time at Bearnstow can help spark new projects or bring vital detail to those already in development. Sharing wholesome communal meals prepared for you and other artists frees up additional time for reflection and letting your imaginations wander. Our hope is that your time away from the stress of your daily routine, spent in our deeply restorative natural setting, will reignite your creative energies.
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
$450 for the first person + $425 for additional collaborators (up to 3 total artists). This fee includes 6 nights stay in a private cabin (shared with collaborators if applying as a team), 3 meals a day prepared and cleaned up by our chef and staff (plus snacks and non-alcoholic beverages), linens (bedding and towels) and use of all facilities shared with other residents.
Family retreats are available during our day camp programming where school aged children (6-13) are welcome to participate in our day camp program. Day Camp cost is included in the retreat fee. Children not participating in day camp are 1/2 price and must be cared for full-time (additional caretakers are also welcome as part of the retreat). We can accomodate a maximum of 5 people for a family retreat.
Accessibility
Unfortunately because Bearnstow is in the woods with irregular walking paths, it is not an ideal place for individuals with significant physical disabilities. We will however do our best to provide accommodations to allow the fullest participation possible. We are a small organization and are happy to work with your needs. Please contact us via email to inquire about access needs.
Bearnstow's terrain is uneven. All paths are dirt and there are some roots and rocks in many of the paths. We have wide paths around the center of camp where our main buildings are, the paths become more challenging at the edges of camp. . We have one cabin at the center of camp where there is a ramp into the back of the Cabin. All other building entrances require at least 1 step.
Housing & Accomodation
Bearnstow has 3 primary shared spaces:
- The Main Hall - The indoor space is our largest multi-purpose space frequently used for dance classes and other gatherings. This building also contains the kitchen; there is personal food storage available in the kitchen, personal use of the kitchen must be approved by the kitchen staff. A large screened in Porch is where we typically share our meals and is used as a shared workspace during non-meals times. Dining is occasionally moved indoors depending on the weather. This space has strong wifi. (Studio Space is about 28x28 feet)
- The Lab - The lab is a smaller multi-use space. It is usable small groups for dance (about 12x28 feet)
- The Stables - The stables are repurposed and recently renovated stables from the Days Bearnstow had horses. The stalls have been converted into 2 large screened in porches with large tables and material supply indoors and a small loft space upstairs in the barn.
- Bearnstow is on 65 acres of woodlands including 900 ft of rocky pond shoreline. This is all shared space including 2 main pond entries for swimming.
Studio & Facilities
- The Main Hall - The indoor space is our largest multi-purpose space frequently used for dance classes and other gatherings. This building also contains the kitchen; there is personal food storage available in the kitchen, personal use of the kitchen must be approved by the kitchen staff. A large screened in Porch is where we typically share our meals and is used as a shared workspace during non-meals times. Dining is occasionally moved indoors depending on the weather. This space has strong wifi. (Studio Space is about 28x28 feet)
- The Lab - The lab is a smaller multi-use space. It is usable small groups for dance (about 12x28 feet)
- The Stables - The stables are repurposed and recently renovated stables from the Days Bearnstow had horses. The stalls have been converted into 2 large screened in porches with large tables and material supply indoors and a small loft space upstairs in the barn.
Retreat Artists frequently use their cabins as private work space. Each Cabin has a screened in porch and a small desk to work at.