I participated in this residency five or so years ago with my friend who lives across the country, and loved that we could apply together to share space and time even though we weren't necessarily collaborating on a project. I was in the house, not the church, and there were four residents there so the housing itself felt pretty full, and was very country cabin in vibes. The studio was spacious and architecturally interesting, and surrounding countryside was beautiful. Lots of ticks (it's rural PA) so do frequent tick checks. The residency is pretty remote (even the two locations for studios/housing are a good distance from one another), and there are few residents there together, so it's not the most social residency. However, if you're looking for productive studio time in a beautiful place this is a great experience.
Soaring Gardens Artists Retreat
Laceyville, Pennsylvania, United States
About
The Ora Lerman Charitable Trust's Soaring Gardens Artists Retreat offers a serene and inspiring environment for visual artists, writers, composers, and instrumentalists to focus on their creative work. Located in Laceyville, PA, the retreat operates from mid-May to the end of September, providing residencies typically for three weeks without any application or attendance fees. The retreat encourages both individual artists and groups from various disciplines to apply, fostering a space for personal projects, collaborative endeavors, or both. With two distinct residency locations, the church and the farmhouse, artists can choose between a more intimate setting or a communal atmosphere. Soaring Gardens is committed to inclusivity, offering a limited number of need-based grants, with a special encouragement for applicants from historically marginalized communities. The retreat's tranquil rural setting, complete with extensive gardens and studio spaces, allows artists the freedom and tranquility to immerse themselves in their work, supported by a community of fellow creatives.
Disciplines
Facilities
Professional Opportunities
Rating Breakdown
Reviews(3)
Benefits: quiet residency, good for focused work. Challenges: very small program, close quarters - it's a good idea to apply with someone you know and know you will enjoy spending time with, especially if your residency is located in the church, which fits two, as opposed to the house, which fits three to four. The church is cute, but very barebones and a bit mildewy/dusty, and you are basically on your own once you get there (key is in a lockbox and we never saw the staff).
The studio space and living arrangements are perfect for a quiet and focused creative stay of a few weeks. I would recommend it to anyone who’s interested in working in rural PA.