Hewnoaks Artist Residency: Summer Residency

Campus landscape at sunset

Campus landscape at sunset

Two artists stand on the lakeside dock making a photo

Two artists stand on the lakeside dock making a photo

Two artists walk on the grass toward the main lodge

Two artists walk on the grass toward the main lodge

An orange balloon sits on the floor of a green-painted attic in one of Hewnoaks cabins

An orange balloon sits on the floor of a green-painted attic in one of Hewnoaks cabins

Residents gather for the weekly cabin share

Residents gather for the weekly cabin share

Exterior photo of a cabin and view to the lake with people gathered during a public event day

Exterior photo of a cabin and view to the lake with people gathered during a public event day

An artist looks at their quilt hanging on a cloths line

An artist looks at their quilt hanging on a cloths line

Hewnoaks Artist Residency: Summer Residency

Portland, ME, United States

Short-term artist residencies in a natural, rustic environment

Situated on the eastern shore of Kezar Lake in Lovell, Maine, Hewnoaks provides artists across all disciplines and career stages unencumbered time to think, work, and experiment.

MISSION

Hewnoaks provides artists across all disciplines and career stages unencumbered time to think, work, and experiment. We offer short-term residencies on a historic wooded lakeside property, knowing that this kind of time and space is essential to the creative process and the growth and development of artists and their work.

VISION

Hewnoaks envisions a world where all artists, regardless of their background or circumstances, are nurtured, uplifted, and celebrated on their creative path. We are committed to breaking down barriers that prevent many artists from attending residencies, promoting the value of unstructured creative time, and fostering short-term communities of artists-in-residence that blossom into enduring connections across Maine and beyond. We believe in the transformative power of artistic expression in all its forms and strive to create an accepting and supportive environment where every artist can unleash their boldest and most authentic work.


 

Contact

PO Box 15052
Portland, ME 04112
United States

Year Founded
2012
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Retreat
Experiential
Residency Length
7 days - 10 days
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
7
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Choreography
Costume/Fashion Design
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Urban Planning/Design
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Emerging
Mid-career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
How does your residency program support artists?
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Additional Eligibility Information

2026 application opens January 7 and the deadline is February 13, 2026.

 

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
50
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
280
Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Application Fee
35
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
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Caregiver/Aide/PCA
N/A
Accessibility Contact Name
Director
Accessibility Contact Email
info@hewnoaks.org
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

Artists typically spend time living and working in their assigned cabin, which have multiple levels (not always a full story - just a step or two) and travel to the lake for swimming and boating on a dirt road, which is steep, and to the community room in the maine lodge - which is up a set of steps. All of this travel can be done by car instead of walking. 

If stairs and steps are able to be negotiated by the person with limited mobility, the person will likely be able to participate and we welcome an email to discuss!

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
N/A
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
N/A
Accessible Communal Spaces
N/A
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Kitchens and living rooms in cabins with multiple bedrooms, however, typically only one artist is assigned to each cabin.

Additional Housing Information
No laundry access
No WIFI in housing
Meals Provided
Residents have access to private kitchen
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Artists work in the extra rooms of each cabin. Some cabins have garage doors to open the space to the outdoors.

There is a shared screen house for extra space - exhibitions or larger making space

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Exhibition / Installation Space
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
N/A