Watershed’s winter residency & rental program offers one to three months of unstructured time for artists to immerse themselves in practice. The winter residency strikes a balance between living and working in community and focused solitude. Each resident receives dedicated space in our open concept studio — the perfect setting for all-encompassing exploration, from large production projects to multidisciplinary research through clay.
Artists may choose between a residency or rental agreement in their application.
2027 Winter Residency Dates
January Session: January 4 to January 29, 2027
February Session: February 1 to February 26, 2027
March Session: March 1 to March 26, 2027
Details
Structure
Accepted artists commit to one or more months at Watershed and may choose between a studio rental arrangement, which provides access to the studio building only; or be in-residence, living on campus in cozy cabins and using the Commons with full kitchen and living area access. Staff are on campus throughout the week and available for support as needed, however, winter residents are expected to be able to work in the studio independently and cook meals for themselves.
Studios
Built in 2021, the 7,500 square-foot Windgate Studio offers artists a state-of-the-art, open concept space to work and connect with other makers. The studio provides ideal conditions for interaction and self-directed exploration at a variety of scales. During a residency, artists receive 300 square feet of studio space, with two canvas-covered work tables and a shelf. Electric and kick wheels, as well as a variety of standard ceramic equipment — including slab-rollers, mixers, wheels, and an extruder — are available for resident artist use.
Resident Amenities
- 24-hour Studio access
- Dedicated space in an open studio environment (such as two tables & a shelf, approx 300 sq ft)
- Kiln use (fee-based)
- Material use (fee-based)
- Use of studio laundry facilities for studio laundry (fee-based and not for personal laundry)
- Use of wood shop with approval from Studio Manager
- Use of Studio kitchenette
- 24-hour Commons access: kitchen/ dining/living room (excluding during event rentals with advance notice)
- Use of Commons laundry facilities (fee-based)
- Single room with a shared bathroom OR single room with private bathroom
- Guests permitted, 3 night maximum, $65 / night
- Linens $25 / month rental (if needed)
Renter Amenities
- 24-hour Studio access
- Dedicated space in an open studio environment (such as two tables & a shelf, approx 300 sq ft)
- Kiln use (fee-based)
- Material use (fee-based)
- Use of Studio laundry facilities for studio laundry (fee-based and not for personal laundry)
- Use of wood shop with approval from Studio Manager
- Use of Studio kitchenette
Renters do not have use of other campus buildings, sleeping and bathing are not permitted in the studio.
Fees
Application Fee
$25
Residency Fee
$1,250
Payment Schedule
$400 deposit for each month of residency due upon registration. Full payment due November 1. Details here.
Housing Fee
Single Room / Shared Bath — $750
Single Room / Private Bath — $900
Kiln and Material Fees
Residents pay a-la-carte fees for use of Watershed’s stock clay materials and kiln firing fees. Fees are due at the end of each month.
Cancellations
Please read our cancellation policy here.
Application Details
Applications for winter sessions are hosted through Slideroom. Applicants indicate their preference for one to three months between January and March at Watershed and may choose between living on campus or a studio rental arrangement. Each residency/rental period starts on the first Monday of each month and ends on the last Friday. Requests for extensions may be granted if space is available.
Residents live on campus and have access to studio, kitchen, and common space. Renting only provides access to the studio building.
Applications for the following year open in June and close in September. See below for details on eligibility, application guidelines, selection process, fees, and financial assistance.
Watershed is committed to creating an equitable and welcoming space for all to explore creative practice. Any artist comfortable working independently in a clay studio may apply to take part in a winter residency.
Please note: There is no formal instruction during winter residency sessions, although knowledge-sharing amongst residents is encouraged, and studio staff are available for general support and troubleshooting.
In addition to contact information, applicants must submit ten images of recent work, a CV or written description of their experience related to their creative practice, a statement about their work, and a statement of interest.
Applications are reviewed by a panel made up of Watershed staff. Watershed residencies include a mix of emerging, mid-career, and established artists, with preference given to new attendees. We endeavor to create cohorts that represent the breadth and depth of artists working in clay, with attention given to age, race, gender, ethnicity, and background.
Panelists consider the following criteria when reviewing applications:
- The degree of proficiency or promise demonstrated in the submitted work’s concept, content, and aesthetics.
- The degree to which the applicant demonstrates a commitment to and relative accomplishment within their practice via their submitted work, their artist statement, and their CV.
- The degree to which the applicant’s interests and practice align with the theme(s) of the session(s) to which they have applied.
- How well the applicant’s interests and goals align with what the Watershed residency experience offers.
All residency fees are subsidized thanks to generous support from our donors. It costs us around $3900 per person to host the residency. Watershed does not require any resident artist to pay this cost in full. The cost of a winter residency consists of the residency fee and the room & board fee. The cost of a winter rental is just the residency fee. See below for details.
Application Fee
$25
2027 Residency Fee
$1,250
This fee covers 24-hour access to the kilns and studio.
2027 Room & Board Fees
Single Room & Shared Bath — $750
Single Room & Private Bath — $900
This fee covers housing and use of the kitchen and common spaces. To learn more, please visit our Campus & FAQ pages.
Kiln & Material Fee
Artists pay kiln and material fees on a per-use basis. Artists pay this sum on the last day of each session.
Payment Schedule
A $400 deposit for each month of residency will be required within two weeks of acceptance to secure your spot. The full balance is due on November 1, 2026.
Payment Methods
Invoices for payments are sent to artists via email. Watershed accepts cards and personal checks. You may mail a check to 103 Cochran Road, Edgecomb, ME, 04556.
Refund Policy
Please read our Cancellation Policy here.
For more information about scholarships, see our Scholarships page.
Watershed offers a limited number of merit scholarships & work exchange positions in the Winter season to support artists attending a residency. Funds cover residency fee-related items, including housing, meals, and studio use.
The application for scholarships and work exchange is included within the Slideroom application. Artists indicate their interest in applying and fill out the corresponding questions.
Full scholarships are available to all applicants and cover residency fees along with room and board charges.
Work exchange Watershed occasionally needs artists to join a session who are able to help around campus for approximately ten hours each week. In exchange, work exchange artists receive free housing.
The work requires standing for up to three hours at a time, lifting and washing racks of dishes, pots, and pans, and putting away cleaned and dried items.
Interested in applying?
Our 2027 Winter Residency application is now open!
