Sea Breeze Artist Residency

for writers and visual artists

 

Mission

Founded in the spring of 2023, the Sea Breeze Artist Residency was created to offer artists and writers an inspiring place to focus on their work. The residency honors Mary Newhouse, a passionate advocate for the arts and a devoted steward of Block Island’s natural beauty. Mary believed that individual creative endeavors have the power to make the world a better place, and her spirit continues to guide our mission.

The Residency on Block Island

The ten-day residency takes place at Sea Breeze on Block Island, just off the coast of Rhode Island. Known for its strong traditions of artistic support and environmental conservation, Block Island offers a unique and tranquil setting for creative practice. We host two sessions each year during the quieter seasons of May and October.

Each resident enjoys a private guest room. Visual artists are provided with a studio space, while writers may choose to work either at Sea Breeze or at the Island Free Library, one of the island’s year-round community hubs. Breakfast and a light lunch are provided daily. A bicycle, equipped with helmet and lock, is also available for residents to explore the island at their own pace.

An important part of this residency is fostering dialogue and connection within the Block Island community.

Our residents are invited to share their work and creative process through open studios, public talks, and other community-centered events, all free and open to the public. To help residents understand what makes Block Island so distinctive, we also organize special activities that introduce them to the island’s culture, history, and natural environment.

The residency is committed to supporting the local economy by partnering with island vendors and small businesses. Our public programs also help generate off-season activity, contributing to tourism during the shoulder months.

Resident-led workshops and classes provide students at the local Block Island School with valuable exposure to a wide range of contemporary artistic practices and creative approaches. Our mission is to foster meaningful connections between artists, writers, and the Block Island community, while strengthening local engagement.

There will be two ten day sessions for 2026

Spring Session: Thursday, April 30 - Sunday, May 10

Fall Session: Tuesday, October 13 - Thursday October 22

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR BOTH SESSIONS

Deadline for all applications is: MARCH 8, 2026

Announcements will be made in early April for both sessions

SEE BELOW TO APPLY

 

Writers

Writers may apply in the following fields : Poetry - Fiction - Non-fiction - Playwriting - Graphic

Work sample. Please submit your work sample in manuscript format, double-spaced, 12 point font. Please submit no more than a maximum of 10 pages. Can be work-in-progress, published pieces, excerpts, or a selection of short works. Work samples completed within the past four years are required.

Fee to apply. There is a one-time $35 fee, non-refundable, to apply.

Statement. On a single page, in 12 point font, tell us about your work and explain any contexts for the work you feel are important. We would like to know what you plan to focus on while in residence at Sea Breeze. We hope to get an understanding of who you are as a writer, your creative process, and how the residency can positively impact your own writing practice.

Biography. On one page in 12 point font, please include any relevant educational background, professional experience, and any accomplishments to date. Please include a link to your website, or social media, if available.

Community programs. As part of the residency, our residents also participate in a group talk with other residents, a workshop for students at the local school, and/or an open studio.

APPLY HERE - WRITER

Artists

Visual artists may apply in the following fields :  Drawing - Painting - Sculpture - Photography - Mixed media

Images. You can submit up to 8 jpegs maximum of individual works. Please identify each image by title, year, medium, and dimensions. Work samples completed within the last 4 years are required.

Statement. On a single page, in 12 point font, tell us about your work, and what you plan to focus on while in residence at Sea Breeze. We hope to get an understanding of who you are as an artist, your creative process, and how the residency can positively impact your work.

Fee to apply. There is a one-time $35 fee, non-refundable, to apply.

Biography. On one page in 12 point font, please include any relevant educational background, professional experience, and any accomplishments to date. Please include a link to your website, or social media, if available.

Community programs. As part of the residency, our residents also participate in a group talk with other residents, a workshop for students at the local school, and/or an open studio.

APPLY HERE - ARTIST

FAQs

  • The year-round ferry leaves from Pt. Judith, R.I. The closest Amtrak station is Kingston, RI. Taxi or Uber can be arranged from Kingston to Pt Judith. Passenger-only ferry tickets do not need to be booked in advance. There is parking available near the ferry (fees do apply).

    Ferry schedules: https://www.blockislandferry.com/point-judith/

  • There is a $35 application fee that is non-refundable. The residency is free to attend. We provide a private guestroom with private bathroom. Breakfast and lunch are provided. We provide the artists with a studio space. We also provide a bike, with helmet and lock. We offer a small stipend, to help support living expenses and meals out while on the island. We do not cover any travel expenses.

  • Artists and writers are selected through an application process by a diverse jury of professionals. Quality of work is the primary criterion for selection.

  • Please bring warm, layer-able clothing, a waterproof outer layer, and waterproof shoes. Weather during the off-season can be unpredictable, and often differs from conditions on the mainland. Since we are located directly on the coast, expect some strong winds. We recommend checking the island’s weather forecast prior to your stay.

    Residents should plan to bring all writing and art supplies and materials needed to create their work during the residency, the island has very limited resources.

    If internet access is desired, please bring a personal hotspot, as Wi-Fi is not available on site, or use the free Wi-Fi at the Island Free Library.

    We provide the following amenities for our guests: all linens, towels, beach towels, irons, hairdryers, and bath amenities (soap, shampoo, and conditioner). Daily housekeeping service is also included.

  • Yes!
    This ten-day residency is designed to be an outstanding opportunity for personal artistic growth.

    We also aim to foster meaningful connections with the local community. We host one event that is free and open to the public during each residency. We ask each resident to prepare a 10-15 minute talk for this event.

    Because growing up on a small island offers a unique perspective, we want to give local students the chance to be inspired by the experiences and work of our visiting artists and writers. To support this, we ask each resident to visit the local school and lead one workshop or class.

    Finally, residents are asked to prepare a small open-studio exhibition near the end of their stay.

  • Sea Breeze Residency provides breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast is delivered to your room each morning at 8:30am, and a light lunch is prepared for pickup at 1pm. Please note that there are no cooking or grilling facilities on the property, and residents do not have access to a refrigerator. Dinner is the responsibility of each resident.

    A small stipend is provided to help offset the cost of dining out on the island. We encourage residents to support local businesses, as dining out also offers opportunities to connect with the community. Several restaurants remain open during the off-season and are within walking distance. Because all goods must be transported to the island, food costs are higher than on the mainland.

    If you have specific dietary needs or allergies, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate you as best as possible.

  • During the months of May and October, average temperatures are in the mid-50s °F (approximately 10–13 °C). Expect a range of Rhode Island coastal weather, including sunshine, cool temperatures, rain, fog, and strong winds. Be prepared for it all.

  • A car is not necessary on the island. Block Island is small, 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. We are conveniently located within a 10 minute walk to the main town, Old Harbor, the ferry, restaurants, and shops. We provide a beach cruiser bike to use during your stay, which is a great way to explore the island. Taxis are also available, and we are happy to arrange this for you. If you want to bring your car, please note that all cars require advance reservations on the ferry, and these book up quickly, even off-season.

  • Cell phone service works at our location; however, coverage can be intermittent in more remote areas of the island. We recommend bringing a personal hotspot if you have one, as Wi-Fi is not available on site. The best free Wi-Fi access is available at the Island Free Library, located just a ten-minute walk from Sea Breeze: https://islandfreelibrary.org/

  • The residency program is designed to provide uninterrupted time away from other obligations, therefore we cannot accommodate any extra guests during the residency. We cannot accommodate any pets. No smoking is allowed in the guestrooms, on the property, or in the studios.

  • We understand that circumstances may change. If you need to cancel your residency, we require a 15 day notice from the start of the session. This would give us enough time to reach out to someone else.

  • Yes, thank you! For all non-profit donations, in any amount, please connect with our sponsor the Block Island Arts Council here: BIACBlock Island Arts Council is a registered 501c3 organization dedicated to fostering the arts on Block Island.

    Every little bit helps, and we are grateful.

  • The best fastest way to reach us is via email. Please email us at: contact@seabreezeblockisland.com If you prefer to reach us via phone, our number is (401) 466-2275. Please leave us a message, if we are unable to pick-up. Our mailing address is: Sea Breeze, PO Box 141, Block Island, RI 02807


Visual Artist’s Guestroom and Workspace

The visual artist residency provides a private guestroom and bathroom, along with a dedicated studio workspace. Breakfast and lunch are included. Two studio spaces are available, each approximately 14 × 14 feet, with one studio assigned for each visual resident in attendance. Please note that one studio does not have a sink, however, a hose and bucket are available conveniently outside the space. One studio is located on site, while the other is a five-minute walk away from the main property.

Writer’s Guestroom and Workspace

The writer residency provides a private guestroom and bathroom, along with a table and chair designated for writing. Breakfast and lunch are included. Please note that WiFi is not available on site. Writers and artists may use a personal hot-spot in the guestrooms, or choose to use the free WiFi at the Island Free Library, which is a ten minute walk from the main location.

Meet the Team 

Andrea Moynier

General Manager/Partner - The Sea Breeze Inn

Co-founder - Sea Breeze Artist Residency

Sue Muskat

Co-founder - Sea Breeze Artist Residency

Sue Brown Black

General Coordinator - Sea Breeze Artist Residency

Founder - On-Island Collaborative

HELP US WITH A DonatION

Your donation will assist us in providing this unique opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Please consider making a donation to our sponsor: The Block Island Arts Council, a non-profit community building organization, connecting artists on the island. Visit them here: @BIAC


a big Thank you to our donors and Supporters:

Terri Chegwidden, Nate Casto, Austin Thomas, David Sanders, Marsha Norman, Sue and Phil Knoll, Sue Black, Leigh Klonsky, Sharon Lehman, Renee Meyer, Lazy Fish, Island Free Library, Island Bound, Persephone’s, Block Island Arts Council, Bodhi’s Bees, The Roosa Fund, Block Island Arts and Crafts Guild, Block Island Tourism Council, Spring Street Gallery, Virginica’s

If you would like to be added to our mailing list,

please email us: contact@seabreezeblockisland.com