Art in Nature PROGRAM
The Art In Nature Residency, located in the Studio Gardens at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, captures the spirit of our long-standing mission to:
“Explore the relationship between humans and their environment.”
This unique program contributes to the growth and understanding of ourselves and others through the experience of creating and engaging with art in a natural setting.
Artists living in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, with a practice in any discipline, are eligible to apply.
Once accepted, they are encouraged to develop new works with a broadly experimental, environmental, and ecological focus. We invite the residency participants to take inspiration from the stewarded Gardens and Nature Preserve and glean from a wide variety of natural resources on the property.
For the 2026/2027 Residency Season we will be hosting four residency slots:
One 9-Month Studio Residency (Individual or Collaborative Duo)
One 9-Month Research Residency (No Studio)
One 3-Month Studio Residency (Individual Only)
One 3-Month Invitational Residency (Invited by the Residency Director)
Applicants must establish a clear connection between their projects and some specific aspect of the property.
The residency concludes each year with an exhibition and presentations of work, with 20% of sales proceeds going to the CEF/Taft Gardens. All creative disciplines are welcome to apply.
The application process is competitive. Due to limited space and funding, we cannot accept every qualified applicant each year. To maximize your chances of admission, we recommend that those sincerely interested plan to apply more than once, as we prioritize repeat applicants.
See Residency FAQ for more details.
SCHEDULE
Application opens: June 15, 2026
Application due: August 5, 2026 at 11:59pm
Applicants will be notified of results by: September 1, 2026
2026/27 Residencies begin: October 1, 2026
Art in Nature Fundraiser and Exhibition Opening: TBA
Free Daytime Exhibition Opening: TBA
Residency Season Ends: July 3, 2027
For inquires please email taftresidency@gmail.com.
2025/26 Residency Artists
This Residency Season began on October 1, 2025 and will run through July 3, 2026.
Our Opening Exhibitions and Annual Fundraiser event, took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
9-MONTH Studio RESIDENCY
Rodrigo Ormachea with Hugo Ormachea
Son and Father, Ceramicist and Metalsmith from Ventura
Historic Art Studio
October, 2025 - July, 2026
1-Month INVITATIONAL STUDIO RESIDENCy
Russell Crotty
Visual Artist from Ojai
Protea Studio
October - November, 2025
9-Month RESEARCH Non-STUDIO RESIDENCIEs
Summer van Houten
Analog Photo-Based Artist from Ojai
October, 2025 - July, 2026
Alicia Morris Soto
Children’s Book Author from Ojai
October, 2025 - July, 2026
1-Month Studio RESIDENCIES
Tom Pazderka
Painter and Writer from Ojai
Protea Studio
December - January, 2025
Emily Thomas MaHarry
Painter and Printmaker from Ojai
February - March, 2026
Carol Shaw-Sutton
Fiber Artist from Ojai
April - May, 2026