Are you a visual artist, writer, poet, composer, performing artist or environmental researcher who can fairly claim to have an affinity for the natural world? Does the idea of being cut off from the distractions of the internet, television, cellphones and society in general while you work on your next magnum opus intrigue you? Does the prospect of creating art while immersed in the heart of the landscapes that inspired the Hudson River School inspire you? Most crucially, do you think that you can manage all that for up to five days without taking a hot shower?
If so, you might want to submit your application for the 2017 round of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development’s Platte Clove Artist-in-Residence Program. From July 1 to September 30, artists will be invited by juried competition to spend a residency between a Sunday night and a Friday evening at the rustic Platte Clove Cabin. It’s situated near the Platte Kill Creek in the Platte Clove Preserve: 208 wild, pristine acres of old-growth forests, with trailheads for hiking to Indian Head and Overlook Mountains and the 60-foot Plattekill Falls not far away.
These are residencies in the rough: The cabin has electricity, a woodstove, cooktop, oven, refrigerator and telephone, but lousy cell service and no running water. There is an outhouse behind the building. You’ll need to bring your own bedding, groceries and water for drinking and washing. The nearest store is seven miles away, and you’ll need a car; but you won’t want to spend much of that precious creative time running into town.
Still undeterred? Great; you have until March 31 to throw your hat in the ring. Visit www.catskillcenter.org/air for the full guidelines and application form. You’ll be asked to submit a letter of intent, résumé, work samples, preferred dates and an application fee. Artists selected for the residency will also be asked to submit artwork completed or inspired during the residency for inclusion in a show at the Catskill Center’s Erpf Gallery.
For more info, e-mail Katie Palm at kpalm@catskillcenter.org, call (845) 586-2611 or visit the website. Good luck!
Join the family! 
