ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
Participating artists may arrive any time between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. on the first day of their session. Artists will receive a brief orientation and dinner on their first night.
Artists must plan to depart Watershed by noon on the last day of their session. Watershed is unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures.
HOUSING
Resident artists are housed in rustic, modern cabins. Most rooms are furnished with twin beds. Watershed is offering the following housing options in 2022:
- Double occupancy rooms with a shared bathroom. The bathroom may be shared by a minimum of two and up to six artists.
- Single occupancy rooms with a shared bathroom. The bathroom may be shared by a minimum of two and up to six artists.
- Double occupancy rooms with a private bathroom. The bathroom is attached to the bedroom and used only by the artists occupying the bedroom.
- Single occupancy rooms with a private bathroom. The bathroom is attached to the bedroom.
Please note that single rooms and rooms with private bathrooms are limited. Artists should plan to bring a pillowcase, sheets, and blankets suitable for a twin bed. Watershed can provide these items for an additional fee of $25.
MEALS
During the Summer Residency, breakfast is served at 8:30 am; lunch is at 12:30; and dinner at 6:30. We source much of our food from neighboring farms. Vegetarian, gluten free, and/or dairy free meal options are available.
During the Fall Residency artists provide their own food and cook for themselves. They have full access to Watershed’s kitchen. Grocery stores and health food stores are a short drive from Watershed.
STUDIO
Watershed’s spacious, fully accessible, state-of-the-art studio is tucked into a wooded dale that is accessed via a gently sloping gravel drive from the cabins. The studio, spread over a single story with polished concrete floors and an open plan, accommodates and encourages all manner and scale of ceramic production while fostering interaction and communication between artists.
Resident artists have access to the studio 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is equipped with slab rollers, pottery wheels, an extruder, clay mixers, sturdy canvas-covered work benches, and plentiful shelving. Generous banks of windows provide both natural light and views of the surrounding woods. All work spaces have access to electrical outlets and the building is internet friendly.
A large glaze room is connected to the exterior Kiln Pad by a covered breezeway providing ample, clean, organized and ventilated work space with easy access to kilns. There is a floor-to-ceiling spray booth with water-curtain filtration.
Also located in the studio building are a dedicated plaster room, clay mixing area, galley kitchen and a seating area. Just across the dooryard at the Studio Annex is a wood and metal shop available for use by permission.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Watershed prioritizes the health of all members of our community. Please refer to our COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for additional up-to-date information.
SLIDE NIGHTS
On the third night of each residency session, participating artists traditionally share images of their work during 5-minute informal talks. While this is an optional activity, we encourage participating artists to take part. Watershed has found that these talks promote an atmosphere of open communication and enables participating artists to get to know one another at the beginning of their sessions.
ACCESSIBILITY
Watershed’s campus is located on uneven terrain that includes fields, forests, gravel roads, and paths. We provide accessible parking for the dining area, housing, and studio. The studio is fully accessible. To reach most cabins, participants must navigate stairs and paths; however, access to one cabin can be modified to accommodate some disabilities.
Watershed will make every effort to provide appropriate housing and program access to people with known disabilities to the degree possible without posing an undue hardship for the organization. People with disabilities are responsible for requesting appropriate accommodations and helping Watershed assess how best to assist them. Please contact us to discuss any accessibility questions or needs.
Prospective resident artists with registered service animals should also contact us to make sure that Watershed can provide proper support and accommodations for the them during a residency. Watershed is unable to accommodate therapeutic pets and companion animals.
MATERIALS
Watershed’s glaze room is well stocked with dry materials and equipment for mixing slips and glazes. Click here for the current list of stocked commercial clay and dry materials at Watershed. Artists pay material fees incurred through Watershed on a per-use basis at the end of the session.
Additionally, our clay-mixing area is equipped for mixing white or iron-rich clays and is stocked with standard, commercially mined ingredients. We suggest that resident artists who anticipate making large batches of clay or glazes contact the Studio Manager prior to arrival to ensure sufficient quantities of material will be available.
Many artists also choose to work with commercial clay and glazes while in residence. If bringing your own materials isn’t feasible, you can order what you need from Portland Pottery, our local supplier. Watershed’s studio staff will pick up your order and have it waiting when you arrive. Here’s how to order:
- Visit Portland Pottery’s website to view their inventory.
- Contact their Portland, Maine store to place an order.
Phone: 207-772-4334 or 800-539-4301 - Pay for your order at the time you place it!
- Inform Portland Pottery that Watershed will pick up your order. Provide them with the start date of your session, which is the day Watershed retrieves all supplies for your cohort.
- Make sure to obtain an itemized digital receipt for your order.
- Forward your emailed itemized receipt to Tamsen at twarner@watershedceramics.org so we know what items we’ll be retrieving for you.
- Watershed staff will pick up the orders of all artists-in-residence. Your materials will be available for use after the studio orientation on the first morning of your session.
PLEASE NOTE:
- We strongly encourage artists to place orders 2 – 3 weeks prior to their residency. Portland Pottery rarely has everything in stock, especially during the pandemic when supply chain issues and shipping uncertainties have been common.
- Portland Pottery is located 50 miles south of Watershed. Watershed will only pick up supplies on the first Monday of each session. Resident artists who place orders after arriving at Watershed are responsible for retrieving their own supplies.
FIRING
Firing facilities include a wide range of electric, gas, and wood kilns. Firing fees are divided among artists using the kilns. Click here for the current list of kilns and firing fees (prices subject to change).
Resident artists load and fire their own kilns during a residency. Studio staff are available to answer questions and provide support but they do not fire work for artists. Please note that wood kilns require advanced planning with studio staff, as well as considerable knowledge, time, and labor to fire.
SHIPPING
Materials and supplies may be shipped to Watershed ahead of your arrival date. Please ship all items to yourself c/o: Watershed, 19 Brick Hill Rd, Newcastle, ME 04553. Artists unable to take their work home with them must make their own shipping arrangements. The Watershed staff does not pack or ship work.
TRAVEL
Watershed is located in Newcastle/Edgecomb, Maine, 50 miles northeast of Portland. Watershed is just off Route 1, one and one half miles northeast of Wiscasset. The main campus address is 19 Brick Hill Rd., Newcastle, ME.
Due to the pandemic, Watershed encourages artists attending the Summer Residency to travel in their own vehicle to the residency. Artists participating in the Fall Residency are required to have a vehicle with them during the residency.
Directions by Car
From the South:
- Take I-95 (Maine Turnpike) North to I-295, exit 44. This takes you through Portland. Note that this is NOT the Maine Turnpike at this point.
- Follow I-295 North to exit 28 for Brunswick. As you exit I-295 at Brunswick you will be on U.S. Route 1 North.
- Follow Route 1 through Brunswick, Bath, and Wiscasset.
- After crossing the Wiscasset bridge, continue one mile to Cochran Road on your left- at the top of a hill, just past the Route 27 turn-off to Boothbay.
- Turn left onto Cochran Rd., just past the turn off to Rt 27 South.*
From the North:
- Watershed is about 8 miles South of Damariscotta/Newcastle via Rt. 1.
- Take a right on Cochran Road, at the top of the hill across from the turn off to Rt. 27 South.
*The entrance to Watershed’s campus is seven-tenths of a mile along Cochran Rd. Drive past our administrative office/gallery in the yellow house. Turn right onto Brick Hill Road at the Watershed/Straw Farm sign. The first building on the right is Thompson Hall. The studio is 1/4 mile further down the gravel road to the right. The farm and property on the opposite side of Brick Hill Road is not part of Watershed.
By Air/Bus
The Portland International Jetport is about an hour’s drive from Watershed. You can get from the Portland airport to Watershed via the taxi services listed below. You must reserve ahead of time, so please call ahead with your flight details! Please note that the below are estimates given by the companies, prices are subject to change and you should call for more information. Oftentimes, it is less expensive to share a taxi, shuttle, or car service
Twin Village Taxi | 207-380-0050
Towncar accommodates up to 3 people, approximately $156 including gratuity
They also have minivans that can accommodate up to 5 people
Sterling Elite | 207-785-3100
See website for airport shuttle times. Also offers a private, chauffeured car service.
Airport shuttle NOT including gratuity – for 1 person approx. $138, for 2 people approx. $153
Atlantic Limousine | 207-856-6400
Sedan accommodates up to 2 people, approx. $213 including gratuity
SUV accommodates 4 – 5 people, approx $250 including gratuity
Maine Limo | 207-883-0222
Sedan accommodates up to 2 people, approx. $230 including gratuity
SUV accommodates up to 5 people, approx. $275 including gratuity
Additional $20 flat fee if they need to leave the office between midnight and 6am
GUESTS
Watershed’s main campus is closed to guests and visitors except during special events.
PETS
Please leave your pets at home. Prospective resident artists with registered service animals should contact us to make sure that Watershed can provide proper support and accommodations for the them and their service animal during a residency.
At this time, Watershed is not able to accommodate therapy animals and/or companion animals during a residency.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
Watershed reserves the right to dismiss any program participant, without refund, for behavior that is unsafe or disruptive to the community. The use of illegal drugs while at Watershed is prohibited. Watershed may refuse admission to program participants with a history of unacceptable behavior.
If a participating artist is routinely and/or knowingly not complying with Watershed’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines, Watershed reserves the right to terminate their stay without refund.
PHONE AND INTERNET
The office phone number is (207) 882-6075 and may be used by residents with permission or in case of emergency. Cell service on campus varies by provider. Watershed provides wireless internet in the studio and residential cabins.
WHAT TO BRING
- N95/KN95/KF94 equivalent face mask
- Towel and toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc)
- Twin-size sheet set, pillowcase, blankets (or a sleeping bag if you prefer)
- Clothes for all weather (be prepared for it to be hot AND cold, humid, windy, rainy, etc)
- Sturdy shoes for studio, and the walk to the studio, which is rough gravel
- Bathing suit
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Flashlight or headlamp (there are no street lights)
- Insect repellant and sunscreen
- Digital images of your work
- Respirator, safety glasses, work gloves
- Clay/studio tools
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Watershed is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please speak with staff if you have valuables that you would like to keep in a secure place.
OTHER FACILITIES
There are hardware stores, a discount department store, and a lumber yard in nearby Wiscasset and Damariscotta. Most local businesses are offering curbside pickup during the pandemic.