Our campaign Kickstart Artist Retreat is about creating space for artists to come to and refresh as well as find the time to create in a beautiful and peaceful environment. Our goal is to have this be a free service where artists commit to giving completed work as payment for their time spent with us. We in turn will make this work available to our Kickstart backers as gifts for their support. Art will be accessible via an online catalog where backers may choose work that is the same value as their pledge.
Who are we?
We are Chris and Joy Dennis, we met in art school, married and have a pack of kids. We own and operate the Island Framery, a local custom framing shop and gallery on Whidbey Island. Check it out at Islandframery.blogspot.com. Our passions are family, art, compassionate living, nurturing creative spirit and happiness! We have dreamed for years about having a space to host artists in a retreat type setting. Creative occupations are a financially difficult but fulfilling life path. Our desire is to support people who have made this choice. Our goal is to establish a space where multiple artists can come to a secluded, peaceful place and take the time that they need to reconnect with nature and refill their creative reservoirs.
What does this look like?
Our vision is a private woodland setting with multiple yurts, a small guest house and main living quarters for the caretakers and full time residents. We would love to have a small scale sustainable farm and to keep livestock for milk and cheese making. Guests will be encouraged but not required to help out around the property and to take advantage of all that beautiful Whidbey Island has to offer. We plan to have guests year round and be available to them for art, life and spiritual coaching if they are interested. There will also be shared meals and opportunities for open dialogue about creativity and any other topics that arise.
How do I participate?
Pledge support via Kickstarter.com.
Look for the title "Artist Retreat Center Where Artists Stay For FREE!"
