Hug Donkeys! - Sarasvati creative Space residency program
HUG DONKEYS! Follow in the footsteps of artists and writers, who have found the benefit of a nature immersion with a residency term in this rural homestead, artist-founded / artist-led, where you can spend time with 15 (mostly miniature / small standard) joyful, loving donkeys and also interact with chickens, peacocks, cats, and a couple of fluffy farm dogs.
Venture to a magical slice of nature - 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, inspiration, or collaborator, you’ll find this residency experience to be productive and memorable.
Escape the hubbub of the normal world and enter a special place where time is a bit squishy and there’s little light pollution. There are 3 dwellings with 8 different private rooms to choose from and a variety of workspaces including the most important - the great outdoors. Camp Wonder Wander's 17 acres has a variety of habitats from meadow, bamboo grove, forests, a bluff and trail to the river below. Immerse in this experience and learn to go slow while you listen to the sounds of nature. Complimentary guided Forest Therapy Walk for those who stay at least two weeks.
This giant art evolving organism was founded by a former Graphic Design Professor who is a working artist/arts entrepreneur. Embrace the wonder and wander spirit here. All seasons provide unique inspiration and availability, but prime time is spring and fall.
599 Gaither Hinson Rd.
Hohenwald, TN 38485
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application 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. Otherwise, it is important to schedule your arrival during daylight hours for a greeting and introduction to the place. 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.
2024 rates:
Application fee is $20.24 (cannot put decimals in the option below).
Residency fee minimum for 1 week = $450. 2 weeks = $750
3 weeks = $900. A discount is currently offered for month residency term limited availability: $800
There is an additional 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 house-keeping 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.
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.
Accessibility
The land is rural and the main lodging is a 1930s house. 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.
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). Each situation is managed on a case by case basis. There is no staff. We will do our best to accommodate and let you know up front if the environment is suitable for your needs.
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.
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.
Housing & Accomodation
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.
Studio & Facilities
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.
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.