ARTS WEEK INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS & PARTICIPANTS

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Our juried Arts Week artists will experience a residency stay at The Sou’wester Lodge, March 8th-16th. Generally 30-35 artists and art collectives are selected from the application process to participate. Help us spread the word, invite your community!

contact: Sora at souwesterartsweek@gmail.com

Timeline:

  • Applications open: Nov 25th 2025, 10am PST
  • Applications close: Jan 5th 2026, 11:59pm PST
  • Accepted artists notified: by Jan 26th 2026
  • Artist contract due: Feb 8th 2026
  • Artists announced: Feb 12th 2026
  • Accommodation placement: Feb 16th 2026
  • Artists arrive: Mar 8th
  • Residency Week: Mar 8-13th
  • Public Portion: Mar 13-15th
  • March 13th, 5pm-10pm: Music & Ceramic Opening Evening
  • March 14th, 11am-5pm: Studio tours & Installations at the Sou’wester
  • March 14th, 7pm-10pm: Performances at the Historic Chinook School
  • March 15th, 11am-1pm: Artists & Preschool student collab exhibtion at Wave Preschool
  • Artists Depart: Mar 15th or 16th

Pre-Arrival Site Visit:

It is an option to stay at The Sou’wester and see the project spaces in-person to better inform your vision and project. Site visits are a single, discounted weeknight stay. Additional nights at Artist Residency rates. Not all units available. Holiday blackout dates may apply. Book a site visit.

Fees:

  • Application fee is $25.
  • Arts Week fee is $220 +taxes. This includes one accommodation for the length of your stay.
    • Artist collectives requiring multiple accommodations will be charged $220 for each additional accommodation. 
  • Arts Week fee for approved financial aid applicants will be $170 (approximately ) +taxes for participants who applied for financial aid. (This amount is approximate as we have $500 that will be split among all who requested it.)
  • Arts Week fee for BIPOC participants who opted into the BIPOC grant will be $170 +taxes.
    • Participants who applied for both scholarships may receive both.
  • If bringing a dog there is a $30 one time cleaning fee + $15 per additional pet.

Residency week:

Artist check-in is at 4 pm on Sunday, March 8 for four days of residency time, during which artists use their accommodations as their studio space. You can explore our vintage travel trailers, cabins, and lodge rooms to learn more about the spaces we offer. While you’re welcome to share your preferences in your application, final room placement will be determined by SWA/SW staff.

Mail:

Since this is a rural area most deliveries are 2-3 days slower. The Seaview, WA Post Office is open Sun-Fri 9a-3p (closed Saturdays).

  • Incoming mail:
    • USPS – We do not receive USPS mail at the lodge. You may send mail to our local post office through general delivery. Our local post office closes at 3pm daily.
    • UPS/FEDEX/AMAZON – Comes to the lodge front desk between 9a-9p. Address: “Your name, 3728 J Place, Seaview WA 98644.”
  • Outgoing mail:
    • USPS – Address: “The Sou’wester+(your name), PO Box 102, Seaview, WA 98644”
    • FEDEX/UPS – FEDEX shipping centers are located in Warrenton, OR.

Ceramic Artists:

Ceramic artists will have access to our community clay studio, Ilwaco Artworks, with studio hours from 7 AM to 10 PM, a designated storage shelf, pottery wheels, a wedging table, and shared tools. Artists may bring their own cone 6 clay or purchase clay from the studio. Finished pieces can be left for bisque firing and shipped for a fee, or taken home as greenware.

What to bring:

  • Studio Supplies: Please bring all you need for your residency week studio, final project set-up, and items needed to sell your work (if you choose to). We recommend you bring any needed extension cords, power strips and clamp lights for enhanced studio/project lighting. (Most of our outlets are 2-prong, so also bring 3-prong adaptor/s). We have limited fold-up tables, please bring your own if able/needed. There is a hardware store, “Dennis Company” in Long Beach, 2mi from The Sou’wester.
  • Packing: Please pack extra blankets for the couch/bed if you are bringing a pet. Remember, no dogs in the lodge. ​​We are in a temperate rainforest and recommend you pack for all weather conditions. Pack your rain gear, socks, layers, more than one pair of shoes and anything else that will help keep you comfortable in wind, rain and sunshine.

Final Presentation locations

Where your final presentation will be displayed/presented to the public. Please bring all items needed to display your work for studio tours (price tags, easels, promo material, etc.

  • Cabins and lodge suites are reserved for artists who plan to host a studio tour or installation within their space.
  • Trailers may also be used for studio tours or installations, or for artists performing or installing work elsewhere on the property. (If you are a performer, your trailer will not be open to the public)
  • All project locations

Friday, Saturday, Sunday (public portion):

At week’s end, participants will invite the public in to see their work, whether finished and/or still unfolding. Open studios, performances, and installations run Friday through Sunday, and visitors can pick up a program and map to explore.

Friday, March 13th: Opening night – ceramics and music showcase at Ilwaco Artworks and live music at Ilwaco Cider Co.

Saturday, March 14th (daytime): at The Sou’wester – Studio tours in trailers and lodge suites, installations in trailers and cabins and the nearby woods and beach.

Saturday, March 14th (evening): Performances at the Historic Chinook School

Sunday, March 15th: Preschooler and artist collaboration exhibition at Wave Preschool with coffee and donuts.

Selling work:

  • During the Weekend: You are welcome to sell your work. It is not required but we are asking a 20% commission as a donation to Chinook Indian Nation and their efforts for federal recognition. Please submit commission donations here.
  • Sou’wester Consignment: If you’d like to be considered to become a consigner in The Sou’wester Lodge porch market please email Deborah at deborahsouwester@gmail.com before arrival. Commission is 30%.
  • Ilwaco Artworks Consignment: If you’d like to be considered to become a ceramic consigner in Ilwaco Artworks art gallery please contact Hans before arrival at ilwacoartworks@gmail.com. Commission is 30%.

Policies:

  • Cancellations: We only accept cancellations in case of illness or emergencies.
  • Quiet hours are between 10p and 8a. The beach is a few blocks to the west and is open all night.
  • Sou’wester FAQ

Inspiration & Relaxation:

Check Out:

Participants can check out Sun, March 15th at 11am or Monday, March 16th at 11am. Early arrival and late check-out available. $35 moving fee.

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