Artist Residencies
Santa Rosa Arts is located in 35 acres of forested land with a creek that runs through the property, home to various microclimates, a spring and a vast diversity of wildlife and botanicals. Expansive sunsets and dark skies are perfect for star or moon gazing while hearing wildlife at a distance. A wading pool in the property invites residents to float while stargazing. Conceptual visual artists, musicians, performance artists and writers ready to explore in non conforming to western art practices are invited to apply. ​
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Note that our location is a natural resource area with plenty of wildlife and risks and blessings inherent to the natural world. High hills and uneven terrain are part of the experience. Because of the natural terrain, accessibility could be an issue for some folks.
​Group residencies include the opportunity to exhibit at and Arts on 3 for a one week pop up exhibition including a community exhibition night. Please submit a potential piece that can be easily transported /installed during the residency.​
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Group Residencies include:
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Expert talks, lectures, workshops
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Field trips including transportation, field lunches, and supplies
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Wifi
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Access to pool, barrel sauna and cold tub
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Access to shared studio space during studio hours
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Shared room accommodations
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Meal plan in a family style communal setting
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34 acres of forest to make it your air studio
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Curator Portfolio Reviews
Blooming Earth
2026 DATES:
​ONLINE April 25th - May 23rd, 2026
(1.5 hour weekly meetings to be set by group)
IN PERSON May 28th to June 4th, 2026
Artists are to attend both portions of the residency.
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Only 4-6 artists will be selected for this residency.
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This call for submissions is for artists that:
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Are seekers of deep connection to plants
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Explore their botanical art practice from non western perspectives
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Are open to non traditional ways of creating and discussing art
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Artists with anti colonial, anti exploitative practices
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Creatives ready to surrender to the magic of the world
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Self aware artists seeking a community of like minded artists
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Artists that are seeking healing and transformation of their art practices through plants and earth
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Artists ready to work on radical acceptance of self and others ​
Aqua Viva | Water
2026 DATES:
​ONLINE June 2nd- July 1st
(1.5 hour weekly meetings to be set by group)
IN PERSON July 3rd -10th, 2026
Artists are expected to attend both portions of the residency.
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Only 4-6 artists will be selected for this residency.
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Agua Viva is a 8-day research program and art residency that explores water as a creative force. Creatives will be guided based on non-western traditions to develop a relationship to water that invites curiosity, study, reverence, and lots of play.
Agua Viva will take place in Santa Rosa Arts, located in British Columbia, Canada overlooking Christina Lake at the convergences of the Kettle River and Christina Lake Creek with unobstructed views of various bodies of water. Agua Viva is open to international artists interested in knowledge that is non-conforming to western ways of connecting to water. Activities part of this residency include, field trips to various local bodies of water, including waterfalls, creeks, streams, swamps, rivers and swimming places. Be prepared to spend time in multiple bodies of water exploring the biodiversity they have to offer and talking to local experts, indigenous communities and water stewards from all walks of life. Water play and exploration will often be in the daily schedule. Learning to listen to water will be prioritized through contemplation, connection and community. We will float along the creek, exploring the biodiversity of the water shores, make offerings, and connect during meditation time.
We will spend time with knowledge keepers and community members listening to stories and learning how to connect to water in ways that decolonize our perspective. We will learn about non western water rituals and ceremonies guided to connect with water as a spiritual and healing force, including participation in water soul-cleansing from the Mexican curandera tradition. Residents will be encouraged to create their own healing water rituals and to share their own embodied water experiences. Lectures on water symbology and ancient civilizations connection to water will be provided.
Guest curators will speak about water from a contemporary art perspective, followed by a lively conversation about project development /sharing ideas related to water and reflections on the residency learnings.
Santa Muerte | Death
2026 DATES:
​ONLINE September 5th - 26th, 2025
(1.5 hour weekly meetings to be set by group)
IN PERSON October 1st - 8th
Artists are expected to attend both portions of the residency.
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Only 6-8 artists will be selected for this residency.
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We are seeking artists interested in exploring the transformative powers of death. Creatives that work and live seeking, that are comfortable in the liminal spaces, and push boundaries when it comes to death and art, are welcome to apply.
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This intimate residency is highly focused on challenging the western approaches that acknowledge death as finite. This residency is highly focused on reciprocity, ritual, spiritual practices and the acknowledgement that grief can arise when working death. This residency will touch on the strategies for self care and care for communities when our art practices become community oriented.
This residency is highly suited for artists considering death in all broad forms and are highly comfortable with exploring death in natural spaces including working with bones and decay.
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Visits to ghost towns cemeteries, exploration of taxidermy, working with bones, rituals, spirit calling, grief honouring and contemporary art practices related to death are part of this residency.
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Self - Directed
More information coming soon.