How to Start an Artist Residency
Casey Scieszka, founder of the Spruceton Inn, spills the beans on why she decided to open up a "bed and bar" in the Catskills and use it to give back to writing and the arts—and how you can too.
I recently went to see Spruceton Inn / Casey Scieszka read from her new novel, The Fountain (shout out to The Common Good in Ellenville!), and it got me thinking about that time when Ashley Rubell interviewed Casey for the site. The interview is all about how Casey and her husband decided to open up a “bed and bar,” Spruceton Inn, where they host a yearly artist residency, as a way to pay the bills while also supporting their creative ambitions. Casey talks about how the free residency was part of her vision from the beginning, why she wanted to separate her financial well-being from her art, and some advice on how you can start your own artist residency. (There’s even a mention in this interview of The Fountain back when all we could read of it was its Publishers Marketplace announcement!) So, check out this inspiring interview below and next, Casey’s excellent book. —Jesse Sposato, executive editor