Wendell Castle Workshop Artist Residency

Application End Date: November 1, 2025

The residency is intended to give artists an inspiring and expertly equipped environment to work on one or more specific projects. Use of wood or metal as a primary material is not a requirement, but preference will be given to artists working in these media. (Artists not working in wood or metal will be provided studio space, but no access to machinery.) The residency environment is conducive to individual work, but the studio space is communal. Residents have unrestricted access to all of the appropriate machines and tools.

There may be up to four residents at a time. There will be a part-time staff person to help with any equipment or WCW-related questions during the work day, but there will be no instruction provided—candidates must be capable of using all equipment and machines independently. A safety orientation will take place with all pieces of equipment during the first few days.

Residents are encouraged to leave behind one work as a donation to the nonprofit and are invited to give a public talk near the end of their residencies to tell community members about their experience.

Occupancy

Residencies are not intended to generate a profit for WCW, but we do charge fees to cover the studio's expenses while classes are not in session.

* Partners who are working artists can apply separately for a double occupancy residency.

Housing

The residency offers accommodations in one of two private bedrooms in the WCW building on the floor above the studio. They will have access to a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and a school library. (Please note: meals are not provided.) While the WCW is located in a village, walking distance from a grocery store and cafe, it is recommended that applicants have a car with an appropriate license and insurance.

Materials

Residents are responsible for supplying their own materials and may ship items to the Wendell Castle Workshop before the residency. Residents may also purchase materials from a local sawmill and retail stores, including Woodcraft. The sawmill and Woodcraft are each about 15 minutes from Wendell Castle Workshop.

Participants must be 21 or older.

All applicants agree to submit to a criminal background check.

Questions can be directed to Ken Page, WCW Director, at ken.page@wendellcastle.org.

January 19 - February 14, 2026 (4 weeks) $1,300

February 16 - March 28, 2026 (6 weeks) $2,000

January 19 - March 28, 2026 (10 weeks) $3,300

Application End Date: November 1, 2025

Notification Date: November 10, 2025

Application fee: $40

Learn more: https://workshop.wendellcastle.org/residencies

Dena Koehn

Dena Koehn grew up in Rose City, a rural town in mid-Michigan, and moved to southern Michigan to attend Adrian College. She graduated in 2005 with a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in English. After school, she worked in marketing and sales. In 2016 Dena started teaching woodworking classes with Luke in a garage, which eventually became the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. She has served many roles at the SBWI, including Outreach Coordinator, Shaker Box Instructor, Secretary, Treasurer, Board Member, Bookkeeper, and now Director of Operations. She is also the Event Coordinator and Social Media Director of the Great Lakes Woodworking Festival, an annual event which brings together the best woodworkers from the Great Lakes region.

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