pond farm artist in residence program

“Pond Farm – as a place, a history, and a crucible of ideas – is widely significant and compelling. The arts offer a path forward for Pond Farm’s future use and as a model for struggling historic sites throughout California State Parks and across the country. Bringing artists to live and work at the site again can ensure the vision of Pond Farm is not lost, as well as provide dynamic engagement with park visitors and the broader community.” —Caitlin Strokosch

The Pond Farm Artist in Residence Program offers artists a unique place to work at stay above Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville, California. In 2023, we will accept an artist for each month from May through October 2023.

Program Description We welcome artists of all types, across the disciplinary and interdisciplinary spectrum and people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Unique perspectives and a rustic and rural living environment have always sparked new ideas and enhanced creativity. Our intention is to offer a space for the artist to be creative and productive.

The residency is located in Austin Creek State Recreational Area adjacent to northern California’s iconic Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve. In addition to access to the 6,000 acres of inspirational space, residents will experience the grandeur of Austin Creek and Armstrong Woods and the nearby Russian River and northern California coast.

Each month-long residency provides time and space for self-paced work and reflection in an inspiring natural setting. Artists from a broad range of art, writing or performance based practices come to Pond Farm to create and explore away from the familiar contexts and constraints of daily routine and free from external expectations. It is a place where natural curiosity is sparked and creativity is unleashed. The site accommodates one artist per month from May through October.

The Artist in Residence Program is administered by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods in partnership with California State Parks. Much effort has gone into preserving Pond Farm and its legacy. Originally started as an artist’s community in the late 1940s, Pond Farm is where studio pottery artist Marguerite Wildenhain lived, worked and taught annual summer workshops. She moved to California after becoming the first female master potter in Germany and teaching at the Bauhaus School. She taught her students to look and observe nature, to discuss philosophy and to truly dedicate themselves to the rigor of the craft. Her work and her teachings had a significant impact on the Studio Pottery movement in California.