Hewnoaks Artist Residency >
2026 Opening Session
Dates: May 23 - May 28, 2026 • Cost: $100 (+ $100 refundable deposit) • Where: Hewnoaks (Lovell, ME)
Opening Session is a focused, hands-on stewardship session designed to welcome more artists and community members into our orbit while helping us prepare the property for the season ahead. It is intentionally structured so that stewardship tasks are front-loaded, gradually giving way to more expansive studio time as Hewnoaks wakes up from winter.
Opening Session brings together a small cohort of Stewards who live, work, and create together on-site, building community while dewinterizing cabins, studios, and shared spaces for the upcoming residency season.
Opening Session Highlights:
- Private bedrooms in cozy, rustic shared cabins
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, shared dinner)
- Shared mornings of hands-on stewardship
- Afternoons for creative practice
What Is Opening Session?
Opening Session is a brand new stewardship session designed for artists and community members who are excited to contribute hands-on care to Hewnoaks while also benefiting from quiet, self-directed creative time.
Stewards participate in daily dewinterizing and light maintenance and are also provided with housing, meals, and space for their own creative practice.
Note: Opening Session is a separate offering from our Summer Residency program, with its own registration process and timeline. It is designed as an additional way to engage with Hewnoaks and does not influence Summer Residency decisions. Scroll down to the FAQ section for more information.
Housing & Creative Space
Opening Session is intentionally small and communal – we’ll welcome eight Stewards for this inaugural session.
Stewards are provided with private bedrooms in shared on-site housing at Rambling Timbers and Viking Court, and bathrooms and common spaces are shared. Housing is provided for the duration of Opening Session with check-in on Saturday, May 23, and check-out on Thursday, May 28.
Alongside shared living, there will be room for individual creative needs. Stewards are provided with time and space for creative practice, and through the registration and screening process, we’ll work with each participant to understand their needs and prepare appropriate workspaces beginning on day two.
Studio or practice space may be located in other cabins, the barn, screen house, or outdoors, depending on individual needs and weather.
Creative time is entirely self-directed, much like our Summer Residency, and expands as the week unfolds:
- No production expectations
- No required critiques or cabin shares
- Studio access available early mornings and evenings, with longer blocks later in the week
- Quiet hours (9pm-9am) to help keep shared spaces restful. Off-site trips are welcome, as long as they don’t interfere with daily schedules or work commitments.
Meals & Dietary Needs
Hewnoaks provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of Opening Session. Meals may be prepared by staff or cooked communally, depending on the day.
We’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, so please be sure to note any needs in your registration form (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks or supplemental food to help you feel more at home!
A detailed meal plan will be shared in advance, so you’ll know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
Participation Fee
To hold your place as one of our eight Stewards, we ask for a $200 participation fee:
- $100 helps offset the cost of shared meals
- $100 is a refundable deposit and will be returned to Stewards who complete the full session (May 23-28)
If plans change, cancellations received before May 1, 2026, will receive a 50% refund ($100). Please note that $100 of the participation fee is nonrefundable. After May 1, 2026, participation fees are nonrefundable for cancellations or early departures.
We’ll be relying on each Steward’s presence to make Opening Session run smoothly, so we thank you in advance for understanding and for committing to the full Session.
How To Register
Stewards are not juried and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all eight spaces are filled. We use a brief registration form to make sure Opening Session is a good fit for you and for the tasks at hand.
Dewinterizing can include physical tasks like lifting, sweeping, walking on uneven terrain, and working outdoors, but there’s a wide range of tasks to be tackled. We’ll always do our best to match tasks to individual abilities and comfort levels – please note any accessibility needs in your application so we can plan accordingly.
Helpful Questions & Answers
Is Opening Session the same as the Summer Residency?
No. Opening Session is a separate stewardship session designed to help prepare Hewnoaks for the season. It has its own registration process and is independent from Summer Residency decisions.
If I applied for the Summer Residency, does participating in Opening Session affect my application?
No. Opening Session does not influence Summer Residency decisions in any way.
If I am invited to the Summer Residency, can I still attend Opening Session?
Yes. If you are invited to the Summer Residency, you are still welcome to attend Opening Session (and will be expected to if you’ve already registered!). The two programs are completely separate, and participating in one does not affect eligibility for the other.
Do I need to be a previous Hewnoaks Resident to participate?
No. Opening Session is open to anyone interested in contributing to the stewardship of Hewnoaks while making time for their creative practice.
Is there a jury process?
No. Stewards are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all eight spots are filled.
What is Opening Session?
Opening Session is an on-site stewardship session that marks the beginning of Hewnoaks’ residency season. Stewards live on campus, help dewinterize cabins and shared spaces, are provided with all meals, and are also offered time and space for their own creative practice.
Who is Opening Session for?
Opening Session is open to artists and community members who are excited to contribute hands-on care to Hewnoaks and participate in a communal stewardship experience. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to join, but you are not required to be a practicing artist to participate. Opening Session participants are volunteers and will not be offered compensation.
Can I bring friends or family members?
Yes. Friends and family members are welcome to participate in Opening Session. Because this is a stewardship session at the start of our season, we rely on each individual’s full participation. Please note:
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Each person must register separately
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Participants must be at least 18 years old by May 23, 2026
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The full $200 fee is required for each participant
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Spots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage those planning to attend together to register early
Can I share a room with someone I know (friend or family member)?
Yes. Private bedrooms are available in both Rambling Timbers and Viking Court. If you would like to share a Full or Queen bedroom with another Steward, please add a note to BOTH of your registration forms (there is a designated space at the end of the form). We will do our best to accommodate shared housing preferences, pending availability.
Are pets allowed?
No. Due to the communal nature of Opening Session and shared housing, pets are not permitted.
What is the daily schedule like?
Days typically include a mix of structured, hands-on stewardship tasks and unstructured creative time. While schedules will vary slightly by day, mornings often focus on dewinterizing and campus projects, with afternoons and evenings reserved for self-directed creative practice and rest.
What stewardship tasks will I be expected to help with?
Dewinterizing tasks may include sweeping, cleaning, light lifting, organizing, walking on uneven terrain, and outdoor work. There is a wide range of tasks to complete, and we will always match tasks to individual abilities and comfort levels.
Will I get time for my creative work?
Yes. Stewards are provided with dedicated time and space for creative practice beginning on the second day of Opening Session. Creative time is entirely self-directed, with no expectations for production, critiques, or sharing.
What are the accommodations like?
Stewards are provided with a private bedroom in shared housing at either Rambling Timbers or Viking Court. Bathrooms and common spaces are shared. Stewards should bring their own sheets and towels.
Are meals provided?
Yes. Hewnoaks provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. Meals may be prepared by staff or cooked communally, depending on the day. Dietary restrictions and allergies will be accommodated to the best of our ability.
What should I pack?
We recommend bringing:
- Sheets and towels
- Comfortable work clothes that can get dirty
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor and uneven terrain
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Materials or tools for your creative practice
- Snacks or supplemental food, if desired
What is the cost?
A $200 participation fee is required to confirm your space. $100 helps offset food costs, and $100 is returned to Stewards who complete the full session (May 23-28). Payment in full will be due within 2 weeks of confirmed registration or by May 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancellations received before May 1, 2026 will receive a 50% refund ($100). After May 1, 2026, participation fees are nonrefundable for cancellations or early departures.
Can I commute instead of staying on-site?
No. Opening Session is a fully residential experience, and commuter or single-day participation is not available for this offering.
Who can I reach out to with questions?
If you have any questions about Opening Session or the registration process, please reach out to the Hewnoaks team at info@hewnoaks.org, and we’ll be happy to help!