Lucid Art encourages nonrepresentational ways of exploration through mixed-media, conceptual, eco-art, and interdisciplinary approaches. Nonrepresentational artwork does not represent or depict a being, place, or thing.

The residency is a 3-week stay for artists in serene, retreat-like surroundings. This program encourages artists to delve into a contemplative state with their studio work. Solitary explorations in a remote place enable artists to unplug from their daily routines and find a deeper connection with nature.

The residency will provide a house to live in, located in the center of the Foundation campus in Inverness, California. The house has WiFi, a bedroom, living room, bathroom, wood burning stove, and a full kitchen stocked with necessary cooking utensils. Parking and laundry facilities are onsite and all linens are provided. The house has electric heat. Cell phones will most likely work here, but with a reduced range of coverage.

The residency artist will use a studio called the “Ark.” The studio was built in 1960 and was originally used by painter Gordon Onslow Ford, then by painter John Anderson (1962-1964), and finally by mixed-media artist and scholar Fariba Bogzaran (1995-2011). The large studio has a wood burning fireplace, sink, high ceilings with upper loft, wood walls, skylights, and a private deck off the sliding glass patio doors. There are modular bases with wooden tops available for arranging various worktable configurations. There is no Wi-Fi in the studio.

The Lucid Art Foundation will curate an online exhibition of the residency artists. The artists will be asked to submit work either from their residency period or work created after their residency.

As our location is remote, artists must have a car to attend this residency. There is no stipend and meals are not provided during the residency.

During the residency, artists have the opportunity to meet and dialogue with a Lucid Art professional artist associate who will give feedback on the work created during the residency. Artists meet with staff and artists weekly for tea and conversation.

Due to the limited number of artists who can attend per year, the Foundation would like to give opportunities to new artists. Thus, we have changed our policy to only allow applications from artists who previously have not participated in our residency program.

Please note that artists will be Covid tested (home version) before they can enter any Foundation buildings. Masks are required to be worn indoors when staff are present.

Artists will be given a tour of Gordon Onslow Ford’s studio, shedding light on the historical and environmental context seeding the residency program and campus.

Application Requirements

1. Artist’s Statement: Please provide a brief statement about your work in relation to the mission* of the Lucid Art Foundation (max. 1,000 characters). 

*The mission of the Lucid Art Foundation is to explore the phenomena of the inner worlds and deep levels of consciousness through visual arts, spontaneous painting, writing, and other means to make visible the otherwise invisible, creating an inclusive way of seeing that is in harmony with the natural world of which we are a part.

2. Please provide a short bio and recent exhibition history from the last 5 years (max. 1,000 characters).

3. Describe the current project you are considering. How do you envision your time at the residency?

4. Have you ever lived and worked in a remote area?

5. If no to question 4, are you comfortable living in the countryside next to the wilderness and a nature preserve?

6. What aspect of this residency attracted you?

7. How did you hear about the Lucid Art Residency Program? 

8. Please list three professional references.

9. The Foundation encourages the use of nontoxic artistic media. We no longer accept applicants who use oil-based paints, turpentine, spray paint, or any media that are volatile or have strong odors.

10. No large power tools are allowed on campus.

Eligibility Criteria

18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada.

Have not been a Lucid Art Foundation artist-in-residence previously.

Have use of a car for transportation to, from, and during the residency.

Have an MFA (or equivalent in independent studio work and an exhibition history). 

We no longer accept applicants who use oil-based paints, turpentine, spray paint, or any media that are volatile or have strong odors.

The Selection Committee will consider artists working in painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, writing, poetry, eco-art, and mixed-media.

A short bio and recent exhibition history from the last 5 years.

10 images of work created within the last two years.

A brief residency project proposal.

Three professional references.

Answers to all residency questions.