Spring Pops - May/June in Tennessee
Camp Wonder WanderAbout This Opportunity
“Nature-based artistic practice and environmental connection”
If nature is your muse, collaborator, or co-conspirator, then make plans for a residency in May or June. This is the start of festival and farm market season.
Feel fresh with comfortable temperatures, pops of color and variety of greens. You'll hear the birds and possibly feel the spring rain. Take the shoes off and stand on the grass for a grounding experience.
A variety of flowers begin to bloom starting with the daffodils in February, but you'll also see wild flora such as clovers and dandelions. The trees begin their sprouting and the daylight is a minute longer day by day.
Schedule your program for mid-June and you'll be able to attend the nearby Lavender festival, Blueberry farm festival, the farm market day at the first intentional community "The Farm" in Summertown and potentially other regional events.
Those who stay at least 2 weeks will receive a guided Forest Therapy (aka Forest Bathing) walk (certified guide by ANFT) for a deeper connection to the land. Make the creative habit to wander the landscape on a daily basis.
This is an ideal time to work outside, but there are several studios and work spaces that are assigned based on the calendar and your space/medium requirements.
All facilities have undergone renovations and interior design cosmetic updates in the last 2 years, some in the last few months.
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. 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.
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. You must agree to all of the policies which includes basic life chores like washing dishes daily as a creative philosophy allow your mind to wander and your inner gut to rejuvenate.
Projects at any stage are acceptable from seed starting to harvesting.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis and response can be within a day or up to 2 weeks. Priority given based on date of submission and applicant connection to nature in your written statements.
To confirm your program, after email conversation or a video interview for those interested in the farm stay scholarship, you'll receive a contract with all additional details. The program fee due within 10 days is non-refundable and acts as a deposit to secure your spot. Any cancellation can be rescheduled in the future.
Eligibility & Requirements
Career Stage
Geographic Eligibility
Disciplines
Applicant Type
Individual artists and collectives
Note
Open to artists based anywhere in the world. Any stage of career welcome. Pets (non-service animals) allowed. Projects at any stage are acceptable from seed starting to harvesting. Artists must be able to disconnect from contemporary distractions and engage in daily life chores as part of creative philosophy.
Compensation & Benefits
Overview
Farm Stay Scholarship ($150-300) available based on application and interview. Requires approximately 6 hours per week of participation in physical activities on the land.
Amount
$150 - $300
Includes
Detailed Breakdown
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.
What's Provided
Housing Provided
Studio Access
Private studios and shared studios available, assigned based on calendar and space/medium requirements
Accessibility
Inaccessible housing and studios/facilities. Partially accessible facilities (50% or more).
Selection Process
Applications accepted on a rolling basis with response within a day or up to 2 weeks. Priority given based on date of submission and applicant connection to nature in written statements. After email conversation or video interview for those interested in farm stay scholarship, applicants receive a contract with all additional details. Program fee due within 10 days is non-refundable and acts as deposit to secure spot.
Interview Required
Video interview for those interested in the farm stay scholarship
Timeline
Deadline
March 30, 2026
Program Dates
May 1, 2026– June 30, 2026
