Daily Instruction and Studio time -

Each morning after breakfast Sarah will offer a demonstration of a different technique and then hold 'studio' hours where students workshop ideas and arrangements to be discussed and critiqued. Residents cut flowers and forage around the farm at their leisure and work these materials into a rotating selection of blooms brought in from various outside farms (i.e. garden roses, etc).

Special emphasis is placed on designing with a light, airy, and sprawling touch. One entire day committed to bouquet making techniques. Another to designing on a large scale. Many lessons on using flower kenzans (frogs). Overall continued emphasis on the nuance of color blending.

Residents are encouraged to leave what they learned about floristry in the driveway upon arrival. New approaches to ‘business’ are always discussed vigorously, drawing on the collective experience of the group. Thoughtful photography of resident work is encouraged and the importance of ongoing documentation is heartily discussed from technical (which cameras, how, what lighting) and marketing (what you show the world is what they will end up wanting from you) perspectives.

Over the course of the four years (2019-2023) of this program we have made many friends and residents leave feeling inspired, refreshed and anxious to return to their practices with new ideas and skills.

What to expect —

Worlds End is a 107 acre working farm and home to a group of artists, farmers and writers. Although we live communally, sharing the responsibilities and resources of the land, we also highly value solitude. Each of us uses this place to explore our individual artistic practices and our relationships to the natural world.

At the beginning of the week, residents are given introductions to the Worlds End campus spaces, indoor and out. The purpose of the residency program is for students to be immersed in a space and structure that allows for a deeper understanding of their personal relationship to art and nature, making and creating.

If you come to Worlds End to see our farming practice first hand, we will make sure that our farmer, Mark House is available to discuss agricultural ideas and questions you may have. If you're interested in soap making or mixing essential oils, we'll make sure Susan is around to share her knowledge. If you want to carve out some time for yourself this season and give yourself an unusual retreat then we'll make sure to offer you lots of quiet time, a map of our favorite hiking trails and a bedroom that overlooks our lily pond.

Logistics —

Worlds End Farm is located in Esperance, NY, 30 miles west of Albany. Transportation to and from the farm must be arranged by you personally. Price is inclusive of lodging, three meals a day, snacks, coffee and sales tax, as well as materials. Some residents may wish to bring specific art materials. Each resident has a private room with with a double or queen bed. Shared bathrooms. Excellent cell phone service for most networks and wifi. Residents arrive in the afternoon on Tuesdays, are settled in and are then asked to be at dinner at 7:30pm. Subsequent meals can be taken in solitude though we typically eat together in the large breezeway of the barn. There are generally 6-8 of us here at any given time. Residents leave on Sundays after lunch and before 4pm.

Sign up here for our 2024 Floral Residency. Space is limited to 4 residents.

The $3,800 fee is inclusive of all meals, materials and lodging. Does not include transportation to Worlds End Farm.