A Room with a View – The Jentel Artist Residency Program
by Susan Myers

(published in Artist Trust's Journal, Summer 2002)

In the Piney Creek Valley of Wyoming, 20 miles east of Sheridan, visual and literary artists are offered a supportive environment where they can focus on their work and creative development. Located on a 1000 acre working cattle ranch in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, the Jentel Artist Residency Program provides artists with a spectacular setting, as well as the time, space and resources to achieve their artistic goals. 

The program accepts proposals for self-directed residencies from visual and literary artists over 25 years old. Artists must reside in the United States, although U.S. citizenship is not a requirement. All residency selections are based on artistic merit and applications are reviewed by a rotating panel of professionals in the arts and humanities. Jentel covers the cost of accommodations and awards a $400 stipend to each recipient to help defray personal living expenses. Artists are responsible for expenses related to food and beverage, material supplies, telephone charges, and travel costs to and from the residency program.

Each resident is provided with living accommodations and a separate work space during the four weeks of each residency. The visual art studios are equipped with running water and adequate lighting. Visual art residents may also use the printmaking studio which includes a Takach Garfield Press with a 32 x 48 inch bed. Separate, quiet rooms are offered to literary artists although they are responsible for providing their own typewriters or laptops. Common facilities include a library, recreation area, great room, swimming pool and large eat-in kitchen area.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program is intended as a professional development opportunity for both emerging and established artists. Residents are in charge of themselves and their time at Jentel; they are free to choose privacy during their stay or are welcome to interact with fellow artists and the community. 

Applications can be submitted twice each year. For residencies in the winter, spring or summer sessions (January 15, 2003 – July 13, 2003) applications must be postmarked by September 1, 2002. For residencies in the summer session only (May 15, 2003 – July 13, 2003) the postmark deadline is January 2, 2003. Application materials comprise the Jentel application form and project proposal, a résumé, work samples, three letters of reference and a $30 application fee. For more information, contact the Jentel Artist Residency Program at: 11 Lower Piney Creek Road, Banner, WY or 307/737-2311 or jentel@jentelarts.org or www.jentelarts.org.