Sea Breeze Artist Residency
for writers and visual artists
Mission
We established the Sea Breeze Artist Residency to provide artists and writers with a welcoming and inspiring environment to focus on their work. This residency is in honor of Mary Newhouse, a fierce defender of the arts and nature conservation on Block Island. She believed that individual creative endeavors are essential to making the world a better place.
The Residency on Block Island
The ten day residency takes place at The Sea Breeze, one of the loveliest small Inns on Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island. Block Island is a unique community that has a long history in supporting the arts and nature conservation.
The residencies are scheduled during the off season, a more peaceful time that encourages contemplation and creative flow. Each resident will have their own guest room with private bath and porch, and the visual artist will also have a light-filled 14x14 studio space, located on the property, with outdoor access. The writer will have a desk in their guestroom, and the option to work at The Island Free Library. The Sea Breeze provides a hearty, delicious breakfast, delivered to the guestroom each morning, a light lunch, and a bicycle with helmet and lock, perfect for exploring the island.
Emerging and established artists and writers are encouraged to apply. The residency is also intended to encourage dialogue within the community. During each session, we organize an event for residents to share their work.
May 13-22 2025
One writer and one visual artist residency will be awarded for this ten day session.
The selection process is done by a panel of jurors, and is based on work submitted.
All applicants will be notified week of April 20th.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR OUR SPRING SESSION
Our next session will be HELD MAY 12-21, 2025
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us: contact@seabreezeblockisland.com
Writers
Writers may apply in the following fields : Poetry - Fiction - Non-fiction - Playwriting - Graphic
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Work sample. Please submit your work sample in manuscript format, double-spaced, 12 point font. Please submit no more than a maximum of 10 pages. Can be work-in-progress, published pieces, excerpts, or a selection of short works. Work samples completed within the past four years are required.
Statement. On a single page, in 12 point font, tell us about your work and explain any contexts for the work you feel are important. We would like to know what you plan to focus on while in residence at Sea Breeze. We hope to get an understanding of who you are as a writer, your creative process, and how the residency can positively impact your own writing practice.
Biography. On one page in 12 point font, please include any relevant educational background, professional experience, and any accomplishments to date. Please include a link to your website, if you have one.
Artists
Visual artists may apply in the following fields : Drawing - Painting - Sculpture - Photography - Mixed media
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Images. You can submit up to 8 jpegs maximum of individual works. Please identify each image by title, year, medium, and dimensions. Work samples completed within the last 4 years are required.
Statement. On a single page, in 12 point font, tell us about your work, and what you plan to focus on while in residence at Sea Breeze. We hope to get an understanding of who you are as an artist, your creative process, and how the residency can positively impact your work.
Biography. On one page, in 12 point font, please include your educational background, professional experience, and any accomplishments to date. Please include a link to your website, or social media account, as applicable.
Visual Artist’s Guestroom and Workspace
For the visual artist residency, a private guestroom and bathroom, plus a studio workspace is provided. Breakfast and lunch are included. The studio is a 14x14 foot room, with a 3x6 foot work table and large wall spaces. Please note: there is no sink access in the studio. We provide an outdoor hose and bucket.
Writer’s Guestroom and Workspace
For the writer residency, a private guestroom and bathroom is provided, with a table and chair for writing. Breakfast and lunch are included. Please note: we do not have wifi available at our location. You can use your hotspot in the guestroom, or there is the option to work at our local Library, which has free wifi.
Meet the Team
Co-founder - Sea Breeze Artist Residency
FAQs
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The year-round ferry leaves from Pt. Judith, R.I. The closest Amtrak station is Kingston, RI. Taxi or Uber can be arranged from Kingston to Pt Judith. Passenger-only ferry tickets do not need to be booked in advance. There is parking available near the ferry (fees do apply).
Ferry schedules: https://www.blockislandferry.com/point-judith/
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There is a $35 application fee via PayPal. The residency is free to attend. We provide a guestroom with private bathroom, breakfast and lunch. The artist has a 300 foot studio space. We also provide one bike, with helmet lock, and map of the island. A small stipend will be given for helping to cover costs of other meals out. We do not cover any travel expenses.
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Bring plenty of warm clothes and a waterproof layer, and waterproof shoes. Weather can be unpredictable during the off-season, and often is different than the mainland. We are located right on the coast, and winds can be strong at our location. We recommend you check the weather report for the island before your stay.
Please plan to bring all of your writing and art supplies and materials needed to generate your work during your residency. If needed, please bring a hotspot for wifi. The island has very limited resources.
We provide all of the following as part of our service to our guests : linens, towels, beach towels, irons, hairdryers, bath amenities (soap, shampoo, conditioner). Daily housecleaning provided.
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The Sea Breeze residency provides your breakfast and lunch every day. Each morning, a delicious chef-prepared breakfast is delivered to your room. A light lunch will also be prepared for you to pick up. There are no cooking or grilling facilities available on the property. The residents are responsible for dinner meals. Several restaurants are open during the off-season, within walking distance.
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The average temperature is between the mid 40’s to mid 50’s F during the off season in May and October. If windy, the air feels colder. Typically the island runs 5-10 degrees cooler than the mainland and New England area.
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A car is not necessary on the island. Block Island is small, 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. We are conveniently located within a 10 minute walk to the main town, Old Harbor, the ferry, restaurants, and shops. We provide a beach cruiser bike to use during your stay, which is a great way to explore the island. Taxis are also available. If you want to bring your car, please note that all cars require advance reservations on the ferry, and these book up quickly, even off-season.
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Yes, cell phones work fine. Service can be spotty on the island at times. We do not have WiFi at our location. The best free WiFi service is at The Island Free Library, a short 10 minute walk from Sea Breeze. https://islandfreelibrary.org/
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The residency guestroom is for a single guest. We cannot accommodate any pets or additional guests.
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We understand that circumstances may change. If you need to cancel your residency, we require a 15 day notice from the start of the session. This would give us enough time to reach out to someone else. Thanks for your understanding.
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Yes, thank you ! We accept donations of any amount, to help us cover the full cost of the residency. The Sea Breeze Residency covers all juror application and advertising fees, plus staff, lodging and food expenses. See below for more details, or contact us by email. To make non-profit donations, please connect with our island community at Block Island Arts Council here: BIAC
Every little bit helps us all, and we are grateful.
**All donor’s names will be displayed on our website.
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The best fastest way to reach us is via email. Please email us at: contact@seabreezeblockisland.com If you prefer to reach us via phone, our number is (401) 466-2275 Please leave a message, if we are unable to pick-up. Our mailing address is: Sea Breeze, PO Box 141, Block Island, RI 02807
HELP US WITH A DonatION
Your donation will assist us in providing this unique opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Click the link below to donate now. By supporting the Sea Breeze Artist Residency, you are part of the creative process, and help make the world a better place.
You can also make a donation to: The Block Island Arts Council.
BIAC is a non-profit community building organization, connecting artists on the island. Visit them here @BIAC
Thank you to our donors
Terri Chegwidden, Nate Casto, Austin Thomas, David Sanders, Marsha Norman, Sue Brown Black, Lazy Fish