Category: SOURWOOD FOREST ARTIST RESIDENCY

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Sourwood Forest Artist Residency 2026

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“The house itself was lovingly built. Smooth trunks of trees made up the support beams of the house, rocks lined a wall with an inbuilt stove, and everything glowed with natural light. The windows looked out onto the garden, and at any given time I could see a vignette of flittering butterflies on a bush, nesting wrens in a flower pot, or wily squirrels trying a bird feeder. At the turn of the day to the evening, more hummingbirds than I personally have ever seen in one place whizzed around the back porch to drink their sugar-water. The architecture of the space seems to encourage remembering that we are a part of the ecosystem we inhabit.” Patricia Walbertson, artist in residence June 2024 Continue reading

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Fall and Faith

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What is it that seems to be held to the center of me and reaching out at the same time, like my heart is attached to the world beyond me-- to the birdsong, the dripping wet leaves after the much needed rain, the goats in the barn, the sky that opens and closes as I move among the trees. Faith is an embrace.

What is it that seems to be held to the center of me and reaching out at the same time, like my heart is attached to the world beyond me– to the birdsong, the dripping wet leaves after the much needed rain, the goats in the barn, the sky that opens and closes as I move among the trees. Faith is an embrace.
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Summer 2025 Writers at Sourwood Forest

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“You have all day to work on your projects, uninterrupted time and space to work on what you want to work on, and to be inspired by things. I think it is a very special opportunity.” Catherine Simpson, writer in residence June 2015
“The setting is kind of magical. It’s part of the wonder of the place.” Ann Marie Halstead, writer in residence May 2025
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Insurgent Imagination Days June 2025

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On June 7, the aim was to experience writing as a way to kindle creative capacity, cultivate well being, and uncover connections to the more-than-human world. On June 8, we were tuning in to nature as inspiration for original songs, with nature (especially birds, it turned out) as a collaborator. Each day’s small group of participants varied in age from 35 to 65 and in vocation from attorney to poet. Participants engaged with nature and with each other to nurture regenerative, relational vision in these challenging times of human disconnect, upheaval, and dissembling. Continue reading

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Giving Thanks for Sourwood Forest

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“I have just had the most creatively enjoyable mini-residency (3 nights) at Sourwood, and am stepping back into reality to write this brief testimonial. I am a 70-year old artist, working on canvas and paper, and driving here my head was filling with potential works, which were supplemented by the many vistas within an easy trek from the house. Judy is … an excellent host and her house is warm and comfortable. Give it a go: escape the Urban, immerse in the Sylvan. An experience awaits.” Follow Marek Mierzejewski on Instagram @Marek6060. Continue reading

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Paintings and Drawings by Patricia Wallbertson

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Works shared with Sourwood Forest by Patricia Wallbertson, artist in residence June 2024, inspired by her time here. creekbed paint sketch, June 2024, 1.5’x 1’, sediment paint, charcoal, white  daylapse, June 2024, 16”x 11”, graphite, Pokeweed berry paint, watercolors, and paper poppy opening, June 2024, 16”x 11”, graphite, Pokeweed berry paint and paper copperhead paint sketch, June 2024, 4”x 6”, sediment paint and paper butterfly flapping, up close and from a slight distance, June 2024, 8”x 5”, sediment paint, graphite, and paper poppy bloom and bleed, June 2024, 16”x 11”, watercolor, ink, and paper Continue reading

Pedlar River Institute’s Sourwood Forest Residency Program Begins!

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“We’ve just begun to imagine what could happen here,” Judy said, remarking on the positive responses from her guests to the event and to possibilities for Sourwood Forest in the future. She had started with a list of six invitees, and several of those had reached out to their contacts, resulting in a wonderfully diverse group–one that will likely help Judy find more creatives to take part in future residencies. Continue reading

A Place to Connect, Create, Inspire

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Sourwood Forest in Western Amherst County, Virginia inspires through direct experience in nature, fostering curiosity, artistic expression, and wellbeing. The spacious home is on sixty acres of untrailed forest, where the nearest human neighbor is a mile away. For more information and to apply for a residency, see Frequently Asked Questions about Sourwood Forest and Sourwood Forest residency application. And see what this summer’s writers in residence said about Sourwood Forest. Continue reading