Organizer Information
The Ora Lerman Charitable Trust was established to carry out the legacy of artist and educator Ora Lerman. The trust operates Soaring Gardens Artists Retreat, a bucolic residency program located in the Endless Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. Since 2000, the trust has provided over 500 artists with the space and tranquility needed to focus on their creative practice. The retreat consists of two distinct campuses: a farmhouse with spacious studios and a renovated 1901 church, both designed to foster creative solitude and communal exchange.
Title & Description
Soaring Gardens Artists Residency 2026
Soaring Gardens is a residency program designed to offer concentrated studio time to artists in a peaceful, rural setting. The residency emphasizes "unencumbered time," allowing artists to step away from daily pressures to research, experiment, or produce new work. While the retreat encourages individual work, it uniquely promotes communal living and interaction through weekly shared meals. The environment is specifically curated to be inclusive and supportive, welcoming diverse perspectives across multiple artistic disciplines.
Categories
- Visual Arts: All media, including film and digital media.
- Literature: All genres of writing (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, etc.).
- Music & Sound: Composers and instrumentalists.
Eligibility
- Professional Experience: Applicants must be actively working artists with at least two years of professional experience.
- Groups: Group applications (a combination of disciplines is fine) are strongly encouraged, though individuals are also welcome.
- Students: Undergraduate and graduate students may apply, provided the work submitted is independent and not part of a course assignment.
- Return Applicants: Artists who attended in 2025 must wait one year before reapplying for a summer residency.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency Period: Three-week sessions.
- Accommodation & Studio: Free living and working space. The farmhouse features two 720 sq. ft. studios; the church offers a private living/studio experience.
- Need-Based Grants: A limited number of $250 or $500 grants are available to assist with travel or living expenses.
- Communal Support: Weekly group dinners are provided; pickup/delivery from nearby cities (Scranton area) is available for those without cars.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Samples of Work: * Visual Arts: 6 numbered images with captions + thumbnail list. (Film artists: Links to 3 works, max 15 mins total).
- Writers: Up to 15 pages of writing.
- Composers/Instrumentalists: Links to 3-4 audio/video samples + repertoire/performance lists.
- Project Proposal: A description (max 200 words) of intended goals during the residency.
- CV/Resume: Highlighting at least two years of professional experience.
How to Apply?
1. Online Application
2. Please create a single PDF portfolio document including the requirements below.
Title your PDF by using this convention: " Firstname Lastname Discipline 2026"
Please email your PDF portfolio to Jordan at lermantrust.residencymanager@gmail.com
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 9 January 2026
Location
Laceyville, Pennsylvania, United States
Additional Details
Residents are responsible for their own food and daily meal preparation (except for one communal dinner per week). Due to the rural location, having a car is highly recommended for personal mobility, though the trust provides limited assistance for arrivals, departures, and essential errands.