Application deadline extended: Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, an exclusive, independent guest ranch set amid century-old working cattle ranch in south central Wyoming, announced today the launch of the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts. Offering writers, visual and performing artists, musicians and composers alike the time and space for artistic exploration through immersion in the extraordinary beauty of the West, the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts is a unique retreat where artists can grow their craft. The pilot program, which will consist of non-juried artists, will run from August to December, 2011. Application deadline for the official program has been extended to October 15, 2011 with juried residencies beginning in January 2012.

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is an exclusive, independent guest ranch outside of Saratoga in south central Wyoming's North Platte River Valley. Sitting on 13,000 acres and bordering a million acres of federal wild lands, Brush Creek Ranch's Grand Lodge and collection of new and renovated historic guest cabins and quarters are open to destination weddings, private corporate events and select group and family retreats. Offering an unsurpassed, all-inclusive adventure experience, The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch provides a genuine Western spirit of hospitality and a vast array of outdoor activities that, coupled with an inspiring landscape and a dedication to sustainable ranching, come together to create a new icon in luxury Western destinations. The Foundation was created to give artists the opportunity to be inspired by the Ranch’s authentic surroundings.

“There is nowhere quite like Brush Creek Ranch when it comes to true Western beauty,” explained Beth White, owner of Brush Creek Ranch. “The idea for sharing this incredible landscape with aspiring and established artists for inspiration has been a dream of our family’s since the beginning of this journey, and we are so proud to finally open its doors to the world.”

Chosen by a blind jury based on work samples, awarded artists will receive housing, performance or studio space, all meals, travel to and from Laramie airport and access to general facilities.  The artists’ housing features eight individual residences with private bath, closet and work space. Shared facilities include kitchen, library, family room, and laundry facility. Meals include continental breakfast in the dining room, boxed lunch delivered to studios and dinner prepared by the Ranch’s chef communally shared in dining room.

The eight studio spaces are located in restored ranch buildings that combine comfort and refinement. Of the eight spaces, four are visual art studios that are equipped with large transom windows for abundant natural light and full spectrum daylight track lighting for late work. Two of the spaces are quiet studios reserved for writers and the remaining two studios are for composers, one of which was converted from an historic schoolhouse and contains a beautiful Steinway piano.

The Foundation will be lead by director, Kate Christensen. Christensen holds a Masters of Fine Arts, 2D studies with an emphasis in printmaking from Bowling Green State University. She has participated in over 30 exhibitions and exchanges over the last ten years, the most recent of which was in Wyoming.

“I am thrilled to be a part of this unique program and have no doubt that Brush Creek Ranch will provide an unmatched location for creative motivation,” said Christensen. “Wyoming is my home and I find endless inspiration here – I know that other artists will fall in love with the incomparable beauty of Wyoming and Brush Creek Ranch as well.”

The Foundation offers two- to four-week residencies, based on the season. No stipends or fellowships/awards are available at this time. Artists are responsible for their own supplies. There will be ample opportunity on-Ranch for artists who want to share their work, especially during the summer months. For more information and how to apply visit www.brushcreekarts.org.