- WILD MILL STUDIOS -

THE WILDS OF THE PINE RIVER VALLEY, NIAGARA ESCARPMENT, ONTARIO, CANADA

- CALL FOR ARTISTS -

SOLO ARTISTS, DUO COLLABORATORS, OR ARTISTS WISHING TO ATTEND WITH THEIR PARTNERS AND / OR CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR SELF-DIRECTED RESIDENCIES RANGING FROM ONE WEEKend TO a few weeks, BETWEEN JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2020.

AMENITIES at Wild Mill Studios PRIVATE PONDSIDE APARTMENT (below the main floor studio) encourage grounding and reflection, while providing studio space for focused art production. You’ll feel a world away conveniently located just beyond the pulse of Toronto:

• Open concept livingspace overlooking the stream and millpond

• Writing desk, workstation and painting easel

• Vintage style kitchen with basic dishes and cookware, double sink, fridge and stove

• Three piece bath with claw foot tub

• Two double beds, one single bed, sofa

• Indoor gas fireplace, outdoor campfire

• Historic stone walls circa 1840s

• Wifi, electricity, laundry

• Comfortable for 1-2 people, and can accommodate more residents upon request. 1 private bedroom / livingroom with double bed, fireplace and separate entrance, 1 shared room open to kitchen and bathroom with double bed, daybed, and separate entrance.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARTIST Transportation, food and art materials are the responsibility of the artist. A personal vehicle or rental car is necessary for access to local hiking, shopping, and to explore the wilds of these pretty waterfall laden villages and valleys.

FEES for self directed residency at the Wild Mill Studios pondside apartment are determined for each open call or individual invitation, and are designed to support the length of your stay. Residencies are awarded for stays as short as one weekend to a few weeks.

THE STORY OF THE WILD MILL STUDIOS

We are in love with the exquisite Niagara Escarpment lands that roll across the Pine River Valley around The Wild Mill Studios. We grew up here and have family roots dating back six generations to the original settlers of this area. We have since traveled to find that this Pine River Valley is our centre of the universe, right in the middle of nowhere; we believe it to be one of the most beautiful and idyllic places on earth. We thrive on being perfectly situated between all that world class city Toronto, artsy beach town Collingwood, and the charming neighbouring villages in between have to offer, while enjoying a remote rural lifestyle in the heart of a strong community.

When we built our dream home through the complete remodelling of a century mill and historic property (pictured here in the 1930’s), we had a vision to share our personal countryside paradise with artists and creatives.

We are artists and entrepreneurs ourselves, so we understand the joys and challenges of navigating the unique course of your creative life.  We love to meet creative people, and share our amazing community of artists, musicians, writers, and adventurers with new friends.  

With all the flexible space and studio amenities we have designed into our modular tri-level labour of love, and with all the spectacular hiking, cycling, skiing, fishing, swimming, riding, eating, sightseeing and relaxing to be done in this world class agricultural and Unesco Biosphere Reserve escarpment countryside, we offer our support and space for the work and time it takes to develop and sustain a thriving artistic practice.

extended resources beyond the wild mill studios 

• A historic Community Hall offers over 2000 square feet of production or rehearsal space. With many windows, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, a piano, washrooms and kitchens, it's a convenient place to expand your practice or host a public event just a short walk down the street from The Wild Mill Studios

• Art materials, supplies and specialty art production services can be delivered or arranged for you during your stay. Off-site painting studio space is available

• Sound engineering or additional off-site recording studio space can be arranged

• Gallery tours to several of the area's most prominent and dynamic art exhibitors are a short drive away at The McMichael Art Gallery, The McLaren Art Centre, The Alton Mill, the Art Gallery of Guelph, and The Tom Thomson Art Gallery

• A private chef is available to fuel your creativity and keep your time focused on your art practice, while showcasing the best fresh ingredients that our onsite gardens and surrounding single family farms produce each season

STUDIOS, amenities & accommodations of our lovingly restored century mill

• Sunlit painting and drawing studio with drafting table, easel, desk, projector; and adjacent great room with piano, art library, and woodstove

• 700 square foot live/work studio space on the mill garden-level with private bath, kitchenette, and stone-walled pond-view bedroom and livingroom with gas fireplace and two private stream-side terraces / entrances.   

• Terraced organic vegetable and flower gardens, firepit, natural springs, pond, and river, as well as nearby parks, the Bruce trail and others, and beautiful conservation lands

• The least remote of our wild places, the mill offers another kind of escape that is a return to community and rural tradition, with countryside comforts and amenities such as luxury linens, a soaker tub and wifi