Hewnoaks provides artists across all disciplines and career stages unencumbered time to think, work, and experiment. We offer short-term residencies on a historic wooded lakeside property, knowing that this kind of time and space is essential to the creative process and the growth and development of artists and their work.
Hewnoaks-Birds & Muses Residency 2
Sept. 6 — 13, 2025
Late Draft
This second of two, week-long collaborative residencies between Hewnoaks and Birds & Muses invites women-identified artists of literary projects at later stages of development to take part in daily group sessions focused on revising, troubleshooting, and polishing late drafts of projects as well as the business of being a writer, individualized conferences, and protected time to write.
The Late Draft Residency offers up to 12 writers of projects at a later stage of completion an advanced curriculum in literary craft and process unique to Birds & Muses teaching: a non-academic and decidedly more artistic, intuitive, and emotionally/sensorily based approach to literary artistry than is typically taught. Each day’s topical conversation and assigned short readings will include probing exercises designed to further each writer’s project and position them for success as they move toward seeking publication and readership for their work. Each writer will have an individual conference with Kate to discuss their project and needs going forward. Optional full manuscript assessments will be available to Late Draft Residencywriters for an additional discounted fee.
Please note that while offering unencumbered time, sanctuary, and mentorship for artistic exploration, this residency is not a pampered retreat but a focused environment where writers will devote themselves to intensive creative growth – of their projects and of themselves as writers.
Bringing together any group requires care – especially assembling a group of strangers doing the deep, vulnerable work that art demands. This application is designed to allow us to learn a bit about you and your work so that we can be sure we can support you in your artistic process individually and as part of a dynamic, shared experience.
KEY DATES
- March 24: Application opens.
- March 24 - July 22: Applications reviewed and invitations extended on a rolling basis. Once notified, accepted applicants will have 1 week to secure their enrollment by paying the full fee.
- July 15: Deadline for applications.
- July 22: Final accepted applicants notified.
- Sept. 6: Arrivals (2-5pm).
- Sept. 13: Departures by noon.
INFORMATION ABOUT HEWNOAKS:
Participants will live in small, rustic cabins equipped with basic kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Food for prepare-your-own breakfasts and lunches will be provided, and dinners will be prepared by residency staff.
The property is about a 90 minute drive from Portland, and residents are responsible for their own transportation to Hewnoaks.
While WiFi is available in the main lodge, it does not extend to the artist cabins themselves, and cell service is virtually nonexistent throughout the property.
Our historic property is not ADA-compliant, and has steep hills and unpaved paths; participants with limited mobility may have difficulty navigating the property. If you have questions or concerns about this, please email program staff at info@hewnoaks.org.
PLEASE read the information on our website to ensure that what we have to offer and what you hope to do are aligned properly: https://hewnoaks.org/workshops/birds-muses/