The Bowers House Week Residency

filming of BOWERS HOUR, a series of entertainment, educational and arts/music programming that documents the creative output of artist residents and retreats taking place at The Bowers House in Canon, Georgia.

filming of BOWERS HOUR, a series of entertainment, educational and arts/music programming that documents the creative output of artist residents and retreats taking place at The Bowers House in Canon, Georgia.

Bowers House Ambassadors l-r, Jonny Hibbert Music, Chip and Michelle (Bowers) Vandiver, Family Custodian Charlie Read, Program Director Dorjan Williams,Filippo and Sylvia Monetti and Songwriter Marvin Jackson after filming an Episode of Bowers Hour.

Bowers House Ambassadors l-r, Jonny Hibbert Music, Chip and Michelle (Bowers) Vandiver, Family Custodian Charlie Read, Program Director Dorjan Williams,Filippo and Sylvia Monetti and Songwriter Marvin Jackson after filming an Episode of Bowers Hour.

The Bowers House Writer's Guild meets monthly and has published anthologies for ten years helming workshops and local readings

The Bowers House Writer's Guild meets monthly and has published anthologies for ten years helming workshops and local readings

the merger of  varied talents showcased provides a unity in production that is representative or our mission. Still to come, is the restoration of the adjacent historic commercial building flanking The Bowers House, providing the accommodation for more fine arts activity, inclusive of the messy ones that the 2500 square foot structure will encase.

the merger of varied talents showcased provides a unity in production that is representative or our mission. Still to come, is the restoration of the adjacent historic commercial building flanking The Bowers House, providing the accommodation for more fine arts activity, inclusive of the messy ones that the 2500 square foot structure will encase.

The varied arts and disciplines featured in this episode and retreat are representative of the new blood and creative studies we need to enhance our goal of making The Bowers House a center of perpetual artist housing and encouragement, in an attempt to provide residency to individuals and groups who might not otherwise be able to be exposed or to afford the facility. BOWERS HOUR programming and the sponsorships and donations we solicit and guest lodgers help accomplish this goal.

The varied arts and disciplines featured in this episode and retreat are representative of the new blood and creative studies we need to enhance our goal of making The Bowers House a center of perpetual artist housing and encouragement, in an attempt to provide residency to individuals and groups who might not otherwise be able to be exposed or to afford the facility. BOWERS HOUR programming and the sponsorships and donations we solicit and guest lodgers help accomplish this goal.

Offering retreat directors, arts organization and artists residents lodging and peaceful solace to work and focus their creativity, we also welcome friendly bed and breakfast guestroom, or entire house rental. We actively seek donations to propel our ability to provide residencies to underserved and economically challenged/minority artists’ space to explore and create. Thank you for your support.

Offering retreat directors, arts organization and artists residents lodging and peaceful solace to work and focus their creativity, we also welcome friendly bed and breakfast guestroom, or entire house rental. We actively seek donations to propel our ability to provide residencies to underserved and economically challenged/minority artists’ space to explore and create. Thank you for your support.

BOWERS HOUR, creating ever more new episodic broadcasts featuring the work product and creative output of our residents of the retreat, via their musical concerts, art workshops, literary guild activities and readings and documentation of resident artists’ activity.

BOWERS HOUR, creating ever more new episodic broadcasts featuring the work product and creative output of our residents of the retreat, via their musical concerts, art workshops, literary guild activities and readings and documentation of resident artists’ activity.

There are seven rooms and four bathrooms and sometimes two residents will share a bath, cooking in two kitchens facilitates different cooperative menus and tastes, the average residency is one week.

There are seven rooms and four bathrooms and sometimes two residents will share a bath, cooking in two kitchens facilitates different cooperative menus and tastes, the average residency is one week.

Each room has a work desk and times are slotted for musicians/writers or other fine art pursuits

Each room has a work desk and times are slotted for musicians/writers or other fine art pursuits

The Bowers House Week Residency

Canon, GA, United States

A place to write and film and create. To find and renew creativity while surrounded by spiral-vined gardens, creaky wraparound porches and towering magnolias. To walk among the whispers of friendly ghosts and pastoral splendor. Quiet nights and productive, inspiring days, imaginative minds awakening, sweet music originating, the savory aroma of a country meal, the satisfaction of a finished page or canvas. The Bowers House Creative Retreat offers customized workspace for artists and academic residency programs in literature, music and some fine art disciplines. We are currently accepting applications for minimum one week group or single residencies, where baths and kitchens are shared and clean up is essential. Resident members agree to provide for film and audio programming a recap or focus of their creative work via readings, concerts, public performances interviews workshop directorships or lessons for BOWERS HOUR, the fundraising programming program that keeps the facility on a perpetual operation. Visiting guests may be present, and room and facility rentals keep the lights on in the 100 year old hotel, and cooperation and quiet consideration of work day time is observed by all who stay here. We welcome collaborative production and cosponsorship when possible with the missionl of one day being able to provide this opportunity to those who might night be otherwise able to have this residency experience.

Contact

100 Depot Street
The Bowers House Box 74
Canon, GA 30520
United States

Year Founded
2011
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded industry or for-profit business
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in a museum
Embedded in historic site
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Thematic
Retreat
Community-engaged
Experiential
Residency Length
1 week - 1 month
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
4
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Writing
Acting
Performance Art
Theater
Music
Symphony
Digital Media
Documentary
Film
Photography
Sound Art
TV + Radio
Illustration
Public Art
Art Education
History
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Teach in studio
Lead workshop for the public
Lead workshop for fellow residents
Lead a skill share
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
Art production support
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
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

We have begun to accommodate music, film, theater and group arts residencies to augment our founding as a writers retreat 12 years ago. We provide bed and breakfast type housing to help finance residencies and keep housing costs as low as possible. We consider each artist individually and each proposal fully, and give priority to minority, multicultural, LGBTQ, and underserved resident applicants that show promise at any stage in their career. Group residency and retreat proposals provide a greater resident discount per person up to ten with shared rooms or six single rooms with 4 shared baths, 2 kitchens. We sometimes cosponsor an event and preference is also given to unique or valuable programming proposals during the residency.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
3
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
10
Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
300
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

per week second week $300, this residency requires an automobile but we will consider accommodating transportation in some instances or food allowances based on needs and proposals for group or individual residencies and possible fee deductions. 

Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

We also accept proposals for 3 day residencies and group retreats at approximately $75 per participant per night with some advance booking.

We offer groups entire facilities rental with onsite staff and meal preparation and transportation in some instances. The Bowers House hopes one day to provide residencies at no cost to qualified underserved community members, minorities, and multicultural groups that can bring variety and substance to our BOWERS HOUR production.

Application Fee
Application Type
Open application
Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available on campus
Stipend available
Accessibility Contact Name
Charlie Read
Accessibility Contact Email
charlesread@me.com
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

REQUIRES ASSISTANCE, one step up entry wide doors/ claw foot tub on main floor

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

ground floor/ common areas only, wheelchair requires caregiver no fee.

Type of Housing
N/A
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Residents have access to private kitchen
No meals are provided
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Each room has a writing/work desk and special floorcoverings may be provided. Porches provide work space during certain times of year. We film and audio record music and theatre performances and can provide music, writing and film instructors and ambassadors under some conditions or during an accepted co-sponsored group retreat or residency. Please feel free to call to ask questions before submitting your proposal. 

Studios/Special Equipment
Shared Studios
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Theater
Music/Media/Recording Facilities
Washer And Dryer
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Air Conditioned
Heat and Cool control access
Additional Studio Information

Addition buildings can be rented for public performances only steps from the facility and co-sponsored opportunities are available when used in Bowers Hour programming, which final episode is provided for artists use and promotion as well. We often open performances outside where audience sits on lawn during the production. The interior of the old hotel is often used by film and video photography residents, documentarians and historians as a backdrop during presentations and workshops or for filmed theatre resident productions of their work. We can arrange additional services like Lake Hartwell day trips or State Park outings, and and outparcel of Bower's land offers a quiet interior forest setting a block or so away. The 2 acre grounds and gardens and small 1920s style downtown vista and plenty of outside room to spread out gives natural workshop space about half of the year. We are under construction on our 100 year old 2500 SF future workspace adjacent to the old hotel which will be completed in 2024.