Spring Pops - May/June in Tennessee

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.

Additional Eligibility Information

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.

Residency Overview

There are so many benefits one can cherish with a residency, retreat, or sabbatical stay at the Camp. Although this is not a resort because it is a rustic homestead environment with no staff, Val as your host is creating a unique environment so that you can focus on achieving your goals while still asking for your focus and mindfulness on basic habitat contributions during your time.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, roughly in order of submission, with a response typically within a day to two weeks; priority is given based on submission date and on the applicant's expressed connection to nature in their written statements. On average about 3 artists are in residence at a time; roughly 6 artists are accepted per year from an applicant pool of about 20.