---
title: Spring Pops - May/June in Tennessee
description: Spring/early-summer residency (7 days-2 months) on a 17-acre farm along Tennessee's Buffalo River, with private studios and shared housing.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/525add75-2d0e-46aa-bbfc-681ddc15c8b3
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-03-20"
updatedAt: "2026-09-30"
programType: Residency
organization: Camp Wonder Wander
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/camp-wonder-wander
location: Sarasvati Creative Space, Waynesboro, TN, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: No artist stipend or travel/materials stipend; this is a fee-based residency (fees starting at $450/week plus a lodging fee), with a partial Farm Stay Scholarship ($150-300) available in exchange for about 6 hours/week of homestead work.
disciplines:
  - acting
  - architecture
  - art conservation
  - art education
  - art history
  - biology
  - book arts
  - choreography
  - criticism
  - digital media
  - documentary
  - drawing
  - ecology
  - electronic arts
  - environmental arts
  - environmentalism/conservation
  - fiction
  - film
  - graphic design
  - illustration
  - installation arts
  - interdisciplinary arts
  - journalism
  - landscape architecture
  - literary nonfiction
  - literature
  - mixed media
  - moving image
  - multimedia arts
  - new genres
  - nonfiction
  - painting
  - paper arts
  - performance art
  - philosophy
  - photography
  - playwriting
  - poetry
  - public art
  - science
  - screenwriting
  - sculpture
  - social practice
  - storytelling
  - textile & fiber arts/weaving
  - theater
  - translation
  - visual arts
  - writing
careerStages:
  - Emerging artist
  - Established
  - Mid-career
---

# Spring Pops - May/June in Tennessee

**Hosted by:** Camp Wonder Wander

**Type:** Residency | **Location:** Sarasvati Creative Space, Waynesboro, TN, United States

## About This Program

> "Nature-based creative practice and connection to the land during spring (May/June)"

*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.

The residency fee includes all access to the land, unlimited interactions with the animals, and a designated studio, if needed. You'll be surrounded indoors by creatively designed spaces that have been organized as conducive to your work, and outdoors by all of the natural splendor that is slowly being curated in tamed and untamed ways by Val as the caretaker of the land.

- The fee also includes electricity, broadband, eco-friendly supplies such as septic-safe and tree free-toilet paper, non-toxic dish and laundry detergent (no sponges on site, and paper towels not provided).
- The ongoing maintenance you may or may not notice includes gardening and landscape and other upkeep such as taking the trash to the landfill and the cleaning of your room pre and post occupancy.
- There will be housekeeping once a week to ensure the health and wellness of everyone as well as the longevity of the facility in the general common spaces, but participants are expected to wash dishes daily (nothing left out overnight); sweep/vacuum daily; wipe down counters and sinks after use; help with your own compostable items, upcycling sorting, and trash to the outside station; and keep communal spaces clutter free.
- Lastly, the fee includes a weekly meal, often the night before departures, procured and prepared by Val (most likely gluten free and leaning vegetarian/pescatarian.)

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Career Stage:** Emerging artist, Established, Mid-career
- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** acting, architecture, art conservation, art education, art history, biology, book arts, choreography, criticism, digital media, documentary, drawing, ecology, electronic arts, environmental arts, environmentalism/conservation, fiction, film, graphic design, illustration, installation arts, interdisciplinary arts, journalism, landscape architecture, literary nonfiction, literature, mixed media, moving image, multimedia arts, new genres, nonfiction, painting, paper arts, performance art, philosophy, photography, playwriting, poetry, public art, science, screenwriting, sculpture, social practice, storytelling, textile & fiber arts/weaving, theater, translation, visual arts, writing
- **Note:** Open to artists based anywhere in the world, of any career stage and any of the listed disciplines. The program is conducted in English. Companions: pets (non-service animals) are welcome; spouses/partners may stay for the full residency (as non-collaborators), and children are allowed for the full stay. Collaborative applications are accepted, and a team may apply together. An additional expectation is to donate a work of art. It is preferred that participants are fully vaccinated and boosted; unvaccinated visitors may be asked to take a rapid COVID test. Applicants should be prepared to disconnect from modern conveniences and participate in basic daily homestead chores; the site is about 20 minutes from the nearest town, which has limited amenities (one coffee shop, no chain fast food).

## Compensation & Benefits

No artist stipend or travel/materials stipend; this is a fee-based residency (fees starting at $450/week plus a lodging fee), with a partial Farm Stay Scholarship ($150-300) available in exchange for about 6 hours/week of homestead work.

**Includes:** Stipend

Residency fees are determined by length of stay and include a lodging fee based on room size and length of stay, starting at $450 for one week plus the room. The fee is non-refundable and due within 10 days of receiving the contract as a deposit to secure the spot; cancellations can be rescheduled but not refunded.

## What's Provided

- **Housing:** Provided - Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus. Accessible Housing is listed as inaccessible.
- **Studio Access:** Provided - Private and shared studios, assigned based on the calendar and the artist's space/medium requirements. Studios/Facilities Accessibility is Partially Accessible (50% or more), with some spaces inaccessible.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** March 19, 2026

## Contact

**Contact:** Val

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.sarasvati.space/residency-overview