Artists Sojourn Small Metals Residency
Two Weeks of Dedicated Studio Time in the Ozark Mountains
Develop your metalsmithing practice in a focused, immersive environment at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts. The Fall Small Metals Artist Residency offers experienced jewelry and metals artists dedicated studio access, private lodging, and time to explore new ideas, refine techniques, and advance existing projects within a supportive creative community.
Medium
Small Metals
Length
2 Weeks
Lodging
Included
Studio Access
24 Hours
Residency Fee
$1000
Location
Eureka Springs, AR
November 9 – 23, 2026 | Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Submit completed application materials to program@essa-art.org by August 26, 2026.
A Residency Designed for Metalsmiths and Jewelry Artists
The Artists’ Sojourn Small Metals Residency offers emerging and established metalsmiths dedicated time to focus on creative exploration, technical growth, and studio practice. Whether you’re developing a new body of work, refining your jewelry-making techniques, experimenting with enameling, or advancing an existing project, this residency provides the space and uninterrupted time to deepen your practice.
Located in the Ozark Mountains just minutes from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, ESSA’s campus combines professional studio facilities with the inspiration of a nationally recognized arts community. Residents can work independently while enjoying opportunities to connect with fellow artists, visiting instructors, and members of the regional creative community.
With 24-hour access to ESSA’s Small Metals Studio, residents are encouraged to pursue creative research, experimentation, and focused making while drawing inspiration from the landscapes, culture, and artistic energy of Northwest Arkansas.
What the Residency Offers
Dedicated Studio Space
Enjoy 24-hour access to ESSA’s Small Metals Studio throughout your residency. The studio supports silversmithing, enameling, jewelry making, and a variety of metalsmithing practices, allowing artists to work on their own schedule and creative rhythm.
Comfortable Private Lodging
Residents stay in private on-campus accommodations featuring a private bedroom and bath, kitchenette, Wi-Fi access, and shared use of ESSA’s Commons House, providing comfort and convenience throughout their stay.
Inspiration from the Ozarks
Surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains and located near historic Eureka Springs, ESSA offers a peaceful setting for creative focus, artistic exploration, and renewed inspiration.
Meaningful Creative Community
Residents become part of ESSA’s creative campus community, sharing experiences with fellow resident artists, students, instructors, and visitors. The residency culminates with Studio Stroll, where artists can share their work and connect with the public.
A Professional Residency Experience at a Fraction of the Cost
The Artists’ Sojourn residency is valued at more than $4,000, with the majority of costs subsidized by ESSA. Up to three artists are selected for the Small Metals Residency, creating an intimate and focused experience.
Residency Fee: $1,000
Your Residency Includes
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Two-week immersive residency
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Private on-campus lodging
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Private bedroom and bathroom
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Kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator/freezer, and coffee maker
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Wi-Fi access
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Shared access to the Commons House and full kitchen
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24-hour access to ESSA’s Small Metals Studio
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Participation in the ESSA Studio Stroll
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Connection with ESSA’s creative community
Your Creative Workspace
Studio Highlights
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24-hour access to the Small Metals Studio
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Equipment supporting silversmithing, jewelry making, enameling, and metalsmithing
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Acetylene torch stations, flex shafts, rolling mill, and hydraulic press
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Enamel and metal clay kilns with accessories
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Dedicated workspace for focused creative practice
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Self-directed studio time in a professional arts environment
Residents enjoy 24-hour access to ESSA’s Small Metals Studio, a dedicated workspace supporting jewelry making, silversmithing, enameling, and metalsmithing practices.
The Small Metals Studio is equipped to support a wide range of jewelry-making and metalsmithing processes, including silversmithing, enameling, metal clay work, forming, texturing, polishing, and fabrication. Raw materials like metal, stones, wire, solder, findings etc. are not provided with this residency.
Share Your Work with the Community
Residents are invited to participate in Studio Stroll, an open-house event where visitors can explore ESSA’s campus, meet resident artists, and learn about their creative process.
Artists may choose to display and sell their work during the event and are encouraged to engage with the ESSA community throughout their residency.
Residency Details
Residency Dates
November 9 – 23, 2026
Application Deadline
August 26, 2026
Notification Date
September 9, 2026
Up to three artists will be selected for the Small Metals Residency and will join a small cohort of artists participating in concurrent residencies across ESSA’s campus.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Application Form
- Statement of Intent (maximum one page)
- Five images of current work
- Current CV or résumé
- Two professional references
Experience in small metals, jewelry making, or metalsmithing is required. Applicants are selected through a competitive application review process.
Applications and supporting materials should be submitted electronically to program@essa-art.org no later than August 26, 2026.
Application Materials
Download the application packet and review the studio inventory before applying.
Ready to Focus on Your Creative Practice?
Give yourself the time, space, and inspiration to focus on your artistic practice. Join ESSA’s creative community for two weeks of dedicated studio work surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.
Ready to apply?
Submit application materials to program@essa-art.org by August 26, 2026.
Questions?
Contact program@essa-art.org
Residency Fellowships
Fellowship Support for ESSA Artist Residencies
ESSA believes that financial circumstances should not prevent artists from accessing meaningful creative opportunities. To help make artist residencies more accessible, a limited number of fellowship awards are available each year.
Residency fellowships cover 50% of the residency fee and are awarded through a competitive application process. Fellowship recipients are selected based on application materials, financial need, residency goals, and available funding.
Fellowships are made possible through the generosity of ESSA donors and community supporters who help remove financial barriers for artists, makers, and creative learners.