Hug Donkeys in TN - Sarasvati creative Space rural residency

Hug Donkeys!

Hug Donkeys!

Sarah Blair creates an outdoor weaving installation

Sarah Blair creates an outdoor weaving installation

Brent Rowley paints watercolor outside the donkey field

Brent Rowley paints watercolor outside the donkey field

Hannah Gumbo and her husband with donkeys

Hannah Gumbo and her husband with donkeys

Alex Hanson works on his installation on the property

Alex Hanson works on his installation on the property

Artists work outside in May

Artists work outside in May

Nicole Hays practicing new routine

Nicole Hays practicing new routine

Installation by Gregory Blair bamboo and rocks

Installation by Gregory Blair bamboo and rocks

Artists use spaces inside and outside

Artists use spaces inside and outside

Alison Erazmus working on her photography project

Alison Erazmus working on her photography project

Light pollution free zone with dramatic skies

Light pollution free zone with dramatic skies

group activity on the land

group activity on the land

MTSU design camp retreat

MTSU design camp retreat

Ryna Frankel with work in progress

Ryna Frankel with work in progress

Danielle Egan shows work on the back porch of Raspberry Residency House.

Danielle Egan shows work on the back porch of Raspberry Residency House.

The forest and the river in winter

The forest and the river in winter

Buffalo River water levels can change.

Buffalo River water levels can change.

Hug Donkeys in TN - Sarasvati creative Space rural residency

Hohenwald, TN, United States

HUG DONKEYS! 

Follow in the footsteps of artists and writers who have found the benefit of a nature immersion for your residency in this rural homestead, artist-founded / artist-led, where you can spend time with 15 mostly miniature / small standard joyful, loving donkeys and also the chickens, peacocks, cats, and a couple of fluffy farm dogs.

Venture to this magical landscape - the rolling foothills of Appalachia - where you can let your creativity FLOW like the BUFFALO river (on the edge of this 17 acre camp retreat). 

If nature is your muse, friend, or collaborator, you’ll find this residency experience to be productive and memorable.

Peak timing: Mar - May & Sep - Nov
Jun - Aug - families have priority schedule
limited availability: Dec - Feb

Escape the hubbub of fast life and enter a special place where time is a bit squishy and there’s little light pollution. Choose from 8 different private rooms in 3 dwelling options and a variety of work spaces including the most important - the great outdoors. 17 acres of habitats from meadow, bamboo grove, forests, a bluff and trail to the river & riparian zone below. 

Embrace going slow and embody the spirit of wonder with wandering.

This giant art evolving organism was founded by a former Graphic Design Professor who is a working artist/arts entrepreneur. 

  • Complimentary guided Forest Therapy Walk for those who stay at least two weeks.
  • Ask about the farm scholarship for a deeper engagement with the land.
Contact

599 Gaither Hinson Rd.
Hohenwald, TN 38485
United States

Year Founded
2018
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded industry or for-profit business
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Curriculum
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
7 days - 4 months
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
3
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Acting
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Biology
Book Arts
Choreography
Criticism
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
Graphic Design
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literature
Literary Nonfiction
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
New Genres
Nonfiction
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Storytelling
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
Visual Arts
Writing
Companions
Pets (Non-service animals)
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Children allowed for full stay
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Donate a work of art
Other
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Professional development support and/or trainings
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

Rolling applications reviewed upon receipt. Deadlines for special prime seasons. Applicants with nature as their muse, inspiration, or collaborator will receive priority. 

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. This program is suited to those ready to embrace the natural immersion, a different sense of time, and a generally nurturing space as most people have experienced some sort of shift while on site - personally, creatively, professionally.

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  • family-friendly opportunities including summer camp program
  • dog friendly - based on several factors (no other pets)
  • apply as a group for the Lemon Lodge that sleeps up to 14

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If you cannot go a day without your favorite coffee shop visit, have fast food on the brain, or need lots of people around to function, this is not the place for you. This is a rural location about 20 minutes drive to the closest small town - Hohenwald (German for High Forest) - with farm land and forestry in the area. The sounds are different, the colors and smells of the earth/air/water will entice 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. Although there is broadband wifi, you are encouraged to have self-discipline to avoid doom-scrolling to focus on your work.

There is no guarantee as to how many people will be on site at the same time, so if you are seeking a more group experience indicate this on the application and consider applying for one of the seasonal highlights.

Transportation from and to the Nashville airport is an add-on option. Preference of arrival dates is Saturday or Sunday. Month-long or longer stays that have been approved after an additional interview may coordinate a calendar month arrival/departure.

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  • no shoes inside the houses
  • limited use of alcohol or use this time to be dry, no drugs, no weapons
  • safe place for all walks of life, no bullying/harassment/fraternization acceptable
  • please help maintain a clean/healthy space by not leaving out food, washing dishes by the end of the day, and cleaning as you go on counters or other surfaces

    Additional expectations are outlined on the website so please review there.
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
8
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
25
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
450
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

2025 rates:

Application fee is $20.25 (cannot put decimals in the option below).

Residency fee 
1 week = $450
2 weeks = $750
3 weeks = $900
A discount is currently offered for month residency term limited availability: $800

Lodging fee based on room selection, additional studio needs (often additional electric in certain seasons), and length of stay. State requires hospitality and sales taxes on the lodging less than 30 days. The range is from $250-850 depending on the room type and duration of stay.

There are many facets of the residency program that are included in the fee and all of this is outlined on the website. Consider this a creative exchange. This is artist-founded /artist-led and a complete vision start-up from the property acquisition to the design of the spaces. There is not a large board or fundraising operation behind the scenes.

Please visit https://www.sarasvati.space/residency-overview for the most up to date information on rooms and residency fees. 

important consideration in the residency fee component:

  • Every effort is made to create a clean and comfortable environment for each person on site, but this is definitely not a resort with a large staff. Sometimes when we are in the creative zone, we do not notice what is around us. Some of the rules include no shoes inside and washing dishes daily. Residency fee includes a housekeeping visit at least once a week to help clean the house's shared bathroom and communal spaces. Consider an add-on option if you would rather focus exclusively on your work and ignore the mundane around you.

     
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
150
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

Farm Stay Scholarship ($150-300) is based on application interest and an interview to discuss your skills, if any. This funding deducts from the final fees and requires about 6 hours a week of participation in physical activities on the land - some of these hours are guided and working with your host, Val. 

Depending on the season and the urgency of current projects, your help could be in gardening/weeding, shoveling/digging, transporting manure for compost pile or garden beds, chopping down bamboo to use in creative fencing projects, breaking/trimming limbs and wood pieces into kindling and firewood size chunks, helping carry or install various items like t-post fencing, picking up or transporting rocks or sticks, helping to clear trails or rake leaves in the winter transporting to the garden. There's usually always a small art project like a mural or organizing the upcycle pile to create something fun for the garden as well. 

Please review the website for the limits on this funding scholarship.

Application Fee
21
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

The land is rural and the main dwelling option is a 1930s house with a few steps to get in. All lodging has stairs for entrance at the moment. Much of the grounds is grass, gravel, or chert. This is a farm landscape. As a startup with limited funds, accessibility has been a priority, but is incomplete as of now. Please ask and we will be updating as soon as things have improved.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
No housing accommodations available
Accessibility Contact Name
Valerie Sloan
Accessibility Contact Email
mail@campwonderwander.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

This is a small residency program with typically no more than 4 and a max of 9 participants (unless the Lemon Lodge is occupied by a group up to 14). There is no guarantee as to the amount of people on site at any one time. It could be a positive solo experience. Each situation is managed on a case by case basis. There is no staff except the housekeeping helper. We will do our best to accommodate and let you know up front if the environment is suitable for your needs.

How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

The Lemon Lodge is the most accessible accommodations and there are gathering spaces in this structure. The windows overlook the donkeys so if one cannot walk out to see them personally, one can view from windows or the back porch. When we have people with allergies, we gather in this space. Each residency is individualized. 

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

There are 5 acres of landscape on the main site with the lodging and studios. This is a rural area with rolling hills. Much of the land is grass or gravel for driving. The 12 acres of land across the street is a primitive campground and has a dirt driveway. It rains a lot here and can get muddy. The Lemon Lodge was built in 1930 it does have open space in the common area and standard doors for the front and bedrooms. There are three steps and we are looking at creating a ramp. The bathroom has a walk in shower and will be expanded to be ADA when funding becomes available.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Common/Communal Spaces Information

There are three main lodging units. Each one features a common area living room and kitchens. Each residency occupant is expected to help maintain the common areas in general like wiping the counters and tables after use, washing dishes, sweeping up messes, etc.  Pictures of the spaces are included in the website gallery. 

All rooms are private except if a group has arranged the Lemon Lodge which as a loft dorm for up to 7 people. Three rooms are available for double or triple occupancy for partners/families/collaborators.

Laundry access is limited in two of the three dwellings.

Housekeeping services occur before arrival, once a week, and after departure, but more can be available as an add-on if you would like a more leisurely experience while you work.

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Housekeeping services
Air Conditioned Housing
Other
Meals Provided
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Additional Meals Information
N/A
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

The big outdoors is the most beneficial aspect of this residency. Artists have found the porches/decks and general grounds to be ideal for their work in spring, summer, and fall. Outdoor place-based installations are definitely welcome here. 

Writers and those using laptops for editing/writing/etc. can be mobile throughout the 5-acres with wifi and find unique spots to sit. Others have set up a hammock or found a favorite rock by the river for their work. Photographers have used the natural scenery and the camp animals as subjects, while there are also opportunities for unique landscape in the nearby vicinity of farmland and an occasional abandoned building. The historic Natchez Trace Parkway is about 20 minutes drive to an entrance and features some lovely park areas to explore and there are a few other state parks within an easy drive.

Assigning a workspace is a primary consideration of each application and the time that participants may overlap. Please be specific as to your needs and habits.

There are 5 formal and informal studio type spaces while some have also used the communal living rooms as workspace during inclement weather or just personal preferences. These vary in size and style. One room - the PineRoom - in Lemon Lodge has a window a/c while the other spaces are more rustic so they are not climate controlled.

Please be descriptive of your work needs. The pine room offers table space, good natural light, and climate control. Studio 1 is enclosed with three walls of windows and is best used in temporal seasons. The two rustic studios that do not have climate control are available for larger scale work that have been used by artists in sculpture/installation, acrylic painting, and watercolor.

Currently working on start-up phase for renovation of a 2100 sq ft commercial space in downtown Hohenwald, TN to become an art gallery, an arts workspace, a retail store (with art consignment opportunities), and events such as poetry readings, small stage solo acts or comedy, or workshops (from art to writing, etc.) with a designated area with ballet flooring. The hope is this will be open sometime later in 2024 - High Forest Den. Stay in touch and apply for exhibits or to sell your work on consignment.

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Shared Studios
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
No studio support provided
Additional Studio Information

Studio options are outlined on the website with lots of pictures. Many participants have scheduled their terms to be during seasons where the outside can be used effectively. Some have opted to use the communal spaces that are climate controlled for their work instead of the other options. Please describe your work and needs for the conversation about what studio may work best for you.