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Creativity
demands that women be allowed to retreat, at times, from their
world and their obligations. Hopscotch House provides the setting
for such retreats.--Sallie Bingham’s vision statement,
May 1998
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Spring at Hopscotch House.
Photo by Sherry Hurley
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General Information
Who can apply
Individual artists, artist groups and collectives, as well as, allied groups and organizations may request retreats. Individual artists must be a Kentucky resident. Click here to more learn about opportunities for individuals. Groups and organizations must be comprised of a majority of Kentucky residents. Click here to learn more about opportunities for groups/organizations.
How to apply
To apply for a retreat, individuals and groups must submit a request form by specific deadlines according to the dates being requested. Retreat requests are accepted and reviewed four times a year.
Please download the appropriate request form or call (502) 228-4875 or email sherry@kfw.org to request a copy. Individual Request Form (pdf) Group/Organization Request Form (pdf)
In order to read and print these files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®, which can be downloaded by clicking the Get Adobe Reader button above.
The remaining deadlines to request a 2008 Hopscotch House Retreats are as follows:
Requests due June 6, 2008 (postmark deadline)
For 2008 Summer Retreats August 11-October 12, 2008
Notification mailed by June 27, 2008.
Requests due August 1, 2008 (postmark deadline)
For 2008 Fall Requests October 13-December 19, 2008
Notification mailed by August 22, 2008.
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Information for Individual Artists
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Sculptor Robin Hamon at work in open air barn studio.
Photo by Sherry Hurley
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Day Retreats, Overnight Retreats, and Summer Residency Program
* NOTE: Day and Overnight Retreats are different than the Summer Residency Program, which has a different application, process, and deadline. The deadline for the 2008 Summer Residency Program has passed. Applications for the 2009 Summer Residency Program will be available Spring 2009.
Download an Individual Artist Request Form .
Day Retreats – Kentucky women artists who create art for positive social change and wish to use Hopscotch House or studio space during the day, but do not require overnight accommodations, may request individual day retreats.
Examples of Day Retreats
A local feminist writer, who is also the mother of two young children, comes to Hopscotch House one morning a week when she has childcare to work on creative non-fiction pieces.
A local playwright frequently uses a studio on the Hopscotch House grounds to work away from the daily distractions of her home. Over the past five years, she has written two full-length plays, which have both been produced.
Overnight Retreats – Kentucky women artists who create art for positive social change may request stays for up to two weeks. The purpose of the retreat is to provide a creative environment and uninterrupted time to focus on initiating, developing, or completing a project. Up to five individual artists may participate in a retreat at a time.
Examples of Overnight Retreats
A mid-career theatre artist who acts, directs, and writes plays will use her time at Hopscotch House for character development to prepare for her one-woman performance as Zora Neale Hurston.
A visual media artist who works in mixed media will use a five day retreat at Hopscotch House to study archetypal images of women from various ancient cultures as well as images from Judeo-Christian art to help develop Angel/Power/Madonna figures.
Summer Residency Program
The Summer Residency Program offers artists a one or two week residency at Hopscotch House, including a need-based stipend of up to $400 per week. This program is for feminist artists seeking focused time and a creative, supportive space for artistic development, the exploration of new areas or techniques, and/or the creation of new art. Additionally, this program offers the unique opportunity to live in and interact with a creative community of other feminist artists.
Artists-in-residence Archives
2007 Summer Artists-in-Residence
2006 Summer Artists-in-Residence
2005 Summer Artists-in-Residence
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Dancer Aminata Cairo doing research in the Hopscotch House library.
Photo by Sherry Hurley |
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Opportunities for Allied Groups and Organizations
Download a Group/Organization Request Form.
Day Retreats – Groups and organizations that identify themselves as artists, activists, and/or feminists may request a day retreat for meetings or other approved activities. Hopscotch House will accommodate groups of 30-40 people for day retreats.
Examples of Day Retreats
Hopscotch House provides the setting for the annual daylong retreat of a group of Louisville social service providers who work with women and children currently experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Members of a social service organization that serves women, children and families affected by domestic violence, rape/sexual assault and economic hardship hold their strategic planning meetings in the comfort of Hopscotch House.
Overnight Retreats – Groups and organizations that identify themselves as artists, activists, and/or feminists may request a short-term stay of 2-3 nights. Hopscotch House will accommodate 6-8 people comfortably for overnight stays.
Examples of Overnight Retreats
An artist collective will use a weekend at Hopscotch House to prepare for one in a series of the me-based, multi-media art events that are set in unique venues throughout Louisville.
A group of feminist writers from Berea will use a long weekend at Hopscotch House to work on individual writing projects and critique one another’s work.
Other Important Information
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available on a limited basis for low-income, artists who have never participated in a retreat or residency at Hopscotch House. Please complete the financial assistance form and mail with your retreat request form.
Studios and Special Equipment
Hopscotch House does not have darkrooms or ceramics facilities but staff is willing to work with residents interested in bringing their own tools and supplies.
Expectations and Opportunities
Residents may organize meals, readings and open studios among themselves. Participation in these activities is completely voluntary.
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| Labyrinth on the grounds of Hopscotch House.
Photo by Trish Lindsey Jaggers |
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Hopscotch House-Introduction and Brief History
Hopscotch House is a program of the Kentucky Foundation for Women. (For more information on KFW, please visit our home page.) Hopscotch House is first and foremost an artist retreat center for feminist artists. It is also used by a variety of groups and organizations that are working to better the lives of women and girls in Kentucky.
Hopscotch House was purchased by the Kentucky Foundation for Women in 1987 and was first used by a group of women writers known as the Wolf Pen Writer’s Colony. In the early 1990’s Hopscotch House became available to other women artists and women’s groups. Over the years, Hopscotch House has served hundreds of women including artists, activists, feminists, eco-feminists, art critique groups, drumming circles, quilting groups, social justice groups, girls’ empowerment groups, arts organizations, and social service organizations.
The property is considered a "classic" Kentucky farmstead and is located 13 miles east of downtown Louisville. A large renovated farmhouse, originally built in 1848, serves as the main residence, with converted outbuildings serving as artists’ studios. Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm, comprised of more than 400 acres of breathtaking woodlands, rolling fields, and watersheds, surrounds the property. The farm is privately owned but permits pedestrian access to Hopscotch House guests.
The house has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a library of women’s literature and reference works, a large living room/dining area, a sunroom and a deck. The large kitchen is fully furnished and well equipped so that residents can prepare their own meals. Separate studio space for artists is available upon request.
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Why is Hopscotch House Special?
Hopscotch House provides time and space for Kentucky women artists to create in an environment that inspires, nurtures, and rejuvenates. It encourages self-exploration and personal growth through its resources and the company of other women. It allows women to be artists and activists first, in a world where they juggle so many other roles and responsibilities. Hopscotch House offers a unique environment of natural beauty, creativity, and spirituality.
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| Robin Hamon unveils her finished sculpture to fellow residents.
Photo by Sherry Hurley |
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Voluntary Donations
Hopscotch House is offered free of charge to approved groups and individuals. Donations are greatly appreciated and tax deductible. Donations allow the Kentucky Foundation for Women to continue to provide Hopscotch House services free of charge and to improve amenities offered the re. Donations also make it possible for KFW to offer a limited number of stipends to women who require financial assistance in order to use Hopscotch House.
Donation envelopes are available at Hopscotch House for gifts made upon departure. Donations can also be made by mail at any time. KFW staff and Board suggest a donation of $10 per day per person. |
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Articles about Hopscotch House
"Raising Women's Voices" : Hopscotch House featured in the Alliance of Artists Communities newsletter.
"A Room of One's Own in KY" by Constance Alexander
"My First Residency" by Nancy Gall-Clayton |
Contact Information
Hopscotch House
8221 Wolf Pen Branch Road
Prospect, KY 40059
502-228-4875
E-mail: sherry @kfw.org
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Hopscotch House is a member of the Alliance of Artist Communities.
For more information, visit www.artistcommunities.org.
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“I can honestly say that my week at Hopscotch House was one of the most life-affirming weeks of my entire life. Women so often find themselves last on their list of priorities and here the message is 'you matter, your art matters, we will support you and hold you so deeply so that your art and individuality can blossom and take root.' I felt deeply cared for. Thank you!”
Maryam E. Hand,
Poet
“I applied to Hopscotch House at a point in my life when my creativity was suffocating and had been for a while. It had been a long time since I had had the time or the chance to experiment and create what I wanted with my art.
Through the gift of time, the amazing studio space, and the inspirational scenery, Hopscotch House helped lead me to my creative self again. It was such an incredible experience. I never worked so intensely nor was so happy with what I produced. It has opened up the creative floodgates! I can Breathe Again!”
Lacy E. Hale,
Visual Artist
“When I received my residency, I felt as if I had opened a box and found a miraculous gift: time."
Linda Blackwell Billingsley, Writer
“This residency has been an incredible gift. I have never had this kind of uninterrupted time to focus on writing. It’s impossible to convey how grateful I am for the opportunity I’ve had this week.”
Nancy Gall-Clayton, KFW grantee, Playwright
“This has been the highlight of my life; a time of growth and respect for me as an artist and woman. I leave here renewed and stronger than when I arrived. ”
Cheryle Anne Walton, Visual Artist
“Hopscotch House is a nurturing environment where one is able to channel their muse in the company of exceptional women who enrich and enliven the experience of art making and creativity.”
Mary Yates, KFW Grantee, Photographer
“Hopscotch House provided me with the time and space to make art in a beautiful spot, surrounded by exhilarating energy from other artists working.”
Rebekka Seigel, KFW Grantee, Fiber Artist
“My time at Hopscotch House was absolutely invaluable. Without it, my second manuscript may never have reached completion. How comforting to find a place in which women artists can work and learn from each other.”
Abigail Gramig, Poet
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