Wendell Castle Workshop
Artist in Residence program
The Wendell Castle Project promotes the artistic legacy and craftsmanship of Wendell Castle through education, cultural programming, and conservation. The Wendell Castle Workshop and the studio as a whole provide current and future generations the opportunity to experience the creative processes around the artist’s life and work. We value experimentation and exploration in handmade wood furniture, with a particular emphasis on the stack lamination carving technique pioneered by Wendell Castle.​
​Founded in 2024, the Wendell Castle Workshop (WCW) is excited to offer its inaugural Artist-in-Residency Program at the workshop of the renowned woodworker. Participants will live and work onsite at WCW. Through its residency program, WCW creates possibilities for artisans to explore new directions, experimentation, and artistic challenges. Believing that research, process, dialogue, and creative exploration are the key ingredients in the advancement of culture, WCW offers this unique opportunity to support artisans for up to three months of uninterrupted studio time.
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Click here for a list of machinery available for use at WCW.
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Details and application
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The residency is intended to give artists an inspiring and expertly equipped environment to work on one or more specific projects. Use of wood as a primary material is not a requirement, but preference will be given to woodworkers. (Artists not working in wood will be provided studio space, but no access to machinery.) The residency environment is conducive to individual work, but the studio space is communal. Residents have unrestricted access to all of the studio's machines and tools. There may be up to four residents at a time. There will be a part-time staff person to help with any equipment or WCW-related questions during the work day, but there will be no instruction provided—candidates must be capable of using all equipment and machines independently. A safety orientation will take place with all pieces of equipment during the first few days. Residents are encouraged to leave behind one work as a donation to the nonprofit and are invited to give a public talk near the end of their residencies to tell community members about their experience.
Occupancy
Residencies are not intended to generate a profit for WCW, but we do charge fees to cover the studio's expenses while classes are not in session.
Residency dates and rates:
January 6 – February 14, 2025 (6 weeks) $2,100
February 17 – March 21, 2025 (5 weeks) $1,750
January 6 – March 21, 2025 (11 weeks) $3,850
* Partners who are working artists can apply separately for a double occupancy residency.
Housing
The residency offers accommodations in one of two private bedrooms in the WCW building on the floor above the studio. They will have access to a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and school library. (Please note: meals are not provided.) While the WCW is located in a village, walking distance from a grocery store and cafe, it is recommended that applicants have a car with appropriate license and insurance.
Materials
Residents are responsible for supplying their own materials and may ship items to the Wendell Castle Workshop before the residency. Residents may also purchase materials from a local sawmill and retail stores including Woodcraft. The sawmill and Woodcraft are each about 15 minutes from Wendell Castle Workshop.
Participants must be 21 or older.
All applicants agree to submit to a criminal background check.
Questions can be directed to Ken Page, WCW Director, at ken.page@wendellcastle.org.
Application fee: $40
Application deadline: December 16, 2024