After a predictably harrowing day of rushing, preparing, and traveling, the float plane landed at Ganges and I stepped off the plane. Even without my glasses I could see Gwenyth's smile from the dock. "You're here," she said. Unexpectedly, my eyes filled with tears of overwhelming relief.
We forget. As artists, busy city-dwellers, multiple-hat-wearers, self-administrators. We forget that rest is essential to creation, it is a necessary part of our artistic practice that is constantly ignored because other things..everything...gets in the way.
Gwenyth and William were aware that this was my first residency. From weeks before I arrived, to my very last day, they were kind and supportive, offering assistance and guidance along the way as needed. It was clear that as a novice I had ideas of how my residency was going to transpire, and as experts, it was clear to them both that I would need reassurance when those ideas did not become a reality in the way I expected!
Woodland Farm is a sanctuary, plain and simple. The stunning location, comfortable cottage, and beautiful rehearsal space are hugged on all sides by the softness of nature. As someone who doesn't drive, it's a delight to be able to access anything I need on foot, to feel truly independent whilst still in a wild and rural landscape (with blackberries EVERYWHERE.) The farm work was exhilarating and empowering...nothing gets creative juices flowing like spending an hour every day doing work on the land, and seeing the fruits of your labour. I learned a great deal from those sessions, not only about nature and agriculture, but about life, education, and art, in speaking with William, Gwenyth and Sharon during our work.
I expected my residency at Woodland to be productive: to get back in shape, to work on my solo show and to make connections. All of those things happened, though not in the way I expected. I was productive because I gave myself space (with much-needed reassurance from Gwenyth and William) to rest, to heal, and to grieve. I got back in shape physically, but also mentally and emotionally, through training, nature walks, farm work, rehearsal, and many cathartic tears and laughs. My solo show has grown and changed and changed again, and even after my return home, and many months since, it continues to grow in my mind, heart and body. I had the pleasure of making many connections with the final sharing, through community involvement, the kindness of the residents of Salt Spring Island, with Gwenyth, William and Sharon, but most importantly, and unexpectedly, I reconnected with myself, as an artist, as a woman.
My final day at Woodland Farm was a sad one. I was concerned my time, my new habits, and my connections would wither away when back home and back to work. I will be honest in saying that some have, temporarily. Life does that. But what remains is this hunger to continue to create, to continue to return to nature, and to continue to reconnect with my art and myself, and my life is all the richer for it. I feel such gratitude to Gwenyth and William for this residency, the work they do is truly a gift to the arts community, one I've had the pleasure of experiencing first hand. If you are wondering whether or not to apply, this is your sign. Put yourself and your art first for a month, in this magical place, and prepare to reap the rewards.
~Nicole Rose Bond
Woodland Farm Artist Residency was a uniquely beautiful experience. As an artist it is so invaluable to have the luxury of working with the amount of time and resources that are offered at Woodland. Having this opportunity was so fruitful and fulfilling as a young artist to discover and be encouraged in such a supportive and inspiring environment.
The barn at Woodland Farm Artist Residency is a dream to work and play in. Having the chance to be immersed in nature as well as be given the technical and artistic support from Gwenyth and William truly made our time on the island so significant. Without the possibilities of the technical design from William our work would not have grown in the way it did and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity.
~Reece Caldwell and Simon Mazziotti
“Woodland Farm allowed me to breathe, to take in the stillness that is so easy to forget. My time on Salt Spring Island was an investment in myself, in my art. With the support of Gwenyth and William, I was guided into possibilities as an artist — with each and every idea nurtured.
Woodland Farm is more than a space, but it is an act of permission.
~Mary Kelly
'Gwenyth and William have curated a space perfect for artists to decompress and take a moment to allow creativity flourish. With daily farm work, easy access to nature, and the fully equipped creation barn, it’s easy to slip into a state of wonder, creativity, and reflection. I am grateful for my time exploring Salt Spring Island and for the opportunity to be part of The Woodland Farm Artist Residency.
~Maya Santos O'Keefe
Huge thanks to such a dynamic duo — Gwenyth and William — for their lighting, tech, and dramaturgy support, and for holding our work with such care and artistry.
~ Suzanne Liska
From the farm work that grounded me at the start of my day to the beautiful studio looking out into the woods, to immersion in a natural setting of the woods and ocean, to the creatively supportive atmosphere and expertise that Gwenyth & William provided (plus the fresh raspberries)... I was able to truly dedicate myself to the creative process.
~ Kathleen Ra
The Woodland Farm Residency was a perfect opportunity to reacquaint myself with the focus and flow in my practice that had been disrupted by years of tasks, responsibilities and productions coming from different directions. It was a profound relief and joy to be able to gather and build my artistic strength through the beauty and rest of this place.
~ Terri Hron
'Being at the farm, it taught me a lot about not just what art I wanted to create, but about the person I want to become. My time spent wandering the forest and tending to the garden is something I will cherish forever.” -
~Natasha Redwood-Scribe
The Woodland Farm Artist Residency has been a transformative experience for both me and my practice. Spending deep and integrated time with my work on a place such as this will only foster creativity, reflection, and growth. From the cozy, serene cottage to the expansive and adaptable barn, this unique setting makes you feel at home so your creativity can spread.
~Tavia Christina
Like many artists I know, the anxiety of the pandemic stifled much of my creative energy. My time at Woodland Farm finally pulled my out of my creative doldrums. The hosts are kind and generous. The space beautiful and quiet. I look forward to returning some day.
~ Marcello Di Cintio
Thank you endlessly for the Woodland Farm experience. It is sincerely so rare in this life that something we are greatly looking forward to lives up to the hope, and even more rare that the experience exceeds it in so many unexpected ways.
~ Louise Casemore
“The performance barn is a dream come true. It was a joy to work there each day, open the doors, and play to the forest.”
~ Alexandra Mackenzie
Working for an hour every day on the farm… I thought it was the best! I learned so much with you guys that I could have done even more…. It was really good for my soul.
~ Desirée Jung
We forget. As artists, busy city-dwellers, multiple-hat-wearers, self-administrators. We forget that rest is essential to creation, it is a necessary part of our artistic practice that is constantly ignored because other things..everything...gets in the way.
Gwenyth and William were aware that this was my first residency. From weeks before I arrived, to my very last day, they were kind and supportive, offering assistance and guidance along the way as needed. It was clear that as a novice I had ideas of how my residency was going to transpire, and as experts, it was clear to them both that I would need reassurance when those ideas did not become a reality in the way I expected!
Woodland Farm is a sanctuary, plain and simple. The stunning location, comfortable cottage, and beautiful rehearsal space are hugged on all sides by the softness of nature. As someone who doesn't drive, it's a delight to be able to access anything I need on foot, to feel truly independent whilst still in a wild and rural landscape (with blackberries EVERYWHERE.) The farm work was exhilarating and empowering...nothing gets creative juices flowing like spending an hour every day doing work on the land, and seeing the fruits of your labour. I learned a great deal from those sessions, not only about nature and agriculture, but about life, education, and art, in speaking with William, Gwenyth and Sharon during our work.
I expected my residency at Woodland to be productive: to get back in shape, to work on my solo show and to make connections. All of those things happened, though not in the way I expected. I was productive because I gave myself space (with much-needed reassurance from Gwenyth and William) to rest, to heal, and to grieve. I got back in shape physically, but also mentally and emotionally, through training, nature walks, farm work, rehearsal, and many cathartic tears and laughs. My solo show has grown and changed and changed again, and even after my return home, and many months since, it continues to grow in my mind, heart and body. I had the pleasure of making many connections with the final sharing, through community involvement, the kindness of the residents of Salt Spring Island, with Gwenyth, William and Sharon, but most importantly, and unexpectedly, I reconnected with myself, as an artist, as a woman.
My final day at Woodland Farm was a sad one. I was concerned my time, my new habits, and my connections would wither away when back home and back to work. I will be honest in saying that some have, temporarily. Life does that. But what remains is this hunger to continue to create, to continue to return to nature, and to continue to reconnect with my art and myself, and my life is all the richer for it. I feel such gratitude to Gwenyth and William for this residency, the work they do is truly a gift to the arts community, one I've had the pleasure of experiencing first hand. If you are wondering whether or not to apply, this is your sign. Put yourself and your art first for a month, in this magical place, and prepare to reap the rewards.
~Nicole Rose Bond
Woodland Farm Artist Residency was a uniquely beautiful experience. As an artist it is so invaluable to have the luxury of working with the amount of time and resources that are offered at Woodland. Having this opportunity was so fruitful and fulfilling as a young artist to discover and be encouraged in such a supportive and inspiring environment.
The barn at Woodland Farm Artist Residency is a dream to work and play in. Having the chance to be immersed in nature as well as be given the technical and artistic support from Gwenyth and William truly made our time on the island so significant. Without the possibilities of the technical design from William our work would not have grown in the way it did and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity.
~Reece Caldwell and Simon Mazziotti
“Woodland Farm allowed me to breathe, to take in the stillness that is so easy to forget. My time on Salt Spring Island was an investment in myself, in my art. With the support of Gwenyth and William, I was guided into possibilities as an artist — with each and every idea nurtured.
Woodland Farm is more than a space, but it is an act of permission.
~Mary Kelly
'Gwenyth and William have curated a space perfect for artists to decompress and take a moment to allow creativity flourish. With daily farm work, easy access to nature, and the fully equipped creation barn, it’s easy to slip into a state of wonder, creativity, and reflection. I am grateful for my time exploring Salt Spring Island and for the opportunity to be part of The Woodland Farm Artist Residency.
~Maya Santos O'Keefe
Huge thanks to such a dynamic duo — Gwenyth and William — for their lighting, tech, and dramaturgy support, and for holding our work with such care and artistry.
~ Suzanne Liska
From the farm work that grounded me at the start of my day to the beautiful studio looking out into the woods, to immersion in a natural setting of the woods and ocean, to the creatively supportive atmosphere and expertise that Gwenyth & William provided (plus the fresh raspberries)... I was able to truly dedicate myself to the creative process.
~ Kathleen Ra
The Woodland Farm Residency was a perfect opportunity to reacquaint myself with the focus and flow in my practice that had been disrupted by years of tasks, responsibilities and productions coming from different directions. It was a profound relief and joy to be able to gather and build my artistic strength through the beauty and rest of this place.
~ Terri Hron
'Being at the farm, it taught me a lot about not just what art I wanted to create, but about the person I want to become. My time spent wandering the forest and tending to the garden is something I will cherish forever.” -
~Natasha Redwood-Scribe
The Woodland Farm Artist Residency has been a transformative experience for both me and my practice. Spending deep and integrated time with my work on a place such as this will only foster creativity, reflection, and growth. From the cozy, serene cottage to the expansive and adaptable barn, this unique setting makes you feel at home so your creativity can spread.
~Tavia Christina
Like many artists I know, the anxiety of the pandemic stifled much of my creative energy. My time at Woodland Farm finally pulled my out of my creative doldrums. The hosts are kind and generous. The space beautiful and quiet. I look forward to returning some day.
~ Marcello Di Cintio
Thank you endlessly for the Woodland Farm experience. It is sincerely so rare in this life that something we are greatly looking forward to lives up to the hope, and even more rare that the experience exceeds it in so many unexpected ways.
~ Louise Casemore
“The performance barn is a dream come true. It was a joy to work there each day, open the doors, and play to the forest.”
~ Alexandra Mackenzie
Working for an hour every day on the farm… I thought it was the best! I learned so much with you guys that I could have done even more…. It was really good for my soul.
~ Desirée Jung