Zhou: “Finding Walden in Maine: The Quiet Power of Hewnoaks”

(Lovell, ME) After winding through the mountain roads, I arrived at Hewnoaks in the midst of an early summer storm in June 2026. In my 10-day subsidized, self-catering artist residency, what began as a creative retreat gradually transformed into a journey of inner healing, as if I had immersed myself in a restorative bath of creativity. During this brief period of unplugged solitude, Hewnoaks Artist Residency offered me an enduring gift-the uninterrupted time, dedicated space, natural beauty, stillness, and a nurturing community I had long been dreaming of.

Despite more than a century of nurturing creativity since 1900, Hewnoaks remains a hidden gem to many outside of Maine. Officially established in 2012 and affiliated with the University of Maine, Hewnoaks is nestled in 20 acres of seclusion along the placid shores of Kezar Lake, surrounded by the forests and foothills of the White Mountains in western Maine. This creative sanctuary provides artists and writers across disciplines with highly unstructured, no-strings-attached, unpressured time and space (rustic multi-room cabins combining live-in and work spaces for solo artists) to think, reflect, experiment, and create in a serene lakeside setting.

What makes Hewnoaks' core summer residency unique is its increasingly rare model of artist residency. Rather than prioritizing productivity, measurable outcomes, or public programming, it offers artists something profoundly simple, yet fundamental to original thinking: solitary time, creative freedom, and a beautiful environment. Its guiding principle that "there is no pressure to produce, present, or perform" reflects a deep trust in the creative process itself and care for artists' creative well-being. Hewnoaks resonates with the idea formulated by Bertrand Russell nearly a century ago: "The wise use of leisure is a product of civilization and education."

The residency also stands out for another reason. Based on artistic merit-a competitive juried selection process with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 15% and a preference given to Maine-based artists, who typically comprise about 60-70% of the resident cohort-Hewnoaks is also committed to supporting artists who would most benefit from dedicated time and space for their creative practice. This philosophy is particularly insightful because it recognizes that artists go through different stages in their creative practice, each with its own needs.

In early 2026, I found myself in a liminal space as I reached a turning point in my first book project Jiang Jian and accompanying art series, transitioning from nearly eight years of historical research, archiving, writing, translation, and interaction design back to visual art practice and the intuitive, contemplative mindset that I had cultivated for nearly two decades as a visual artist, while continuing to work full-time as a Professor of art and design at Monmouth University in New Jersey. At this critical phase, I knew that I needed not another professional opportunity but an environment that could encourage original ways of thinking which would renew my artistic practice, reignite my creative spirit, and ultimately, to "heal."

My residency took place in mid-to-late June during the third session of 2026 with a small, intimate cohort of five artists and writers: Mike Annear, Neville Caulfield, Josie Colt, Nick Fuller Googins, and myself. The Executive Director Beth Given-Sorensen and Residency Manager Alisha Martin were exceptionally welcoming and attentive. Their generosity and kindness enriched my experience and made it all the more memorable.

From the moment I arrived at Hewnoaks, something about the place felt extraordinary. The natural surroundings were almost otherworldly in their beauty. My secluded cottage, "Pine Clad," bounded by woods, was both cozy and inspiring, with hand-painted ceilings and a spacious screened porch that served as a wonderful studio. Hewnoaks' self-catering model, with a few optional gatherings, provides long stretches of uninterrupted solitude over several days, making room for the quiet concentration and reflection that nurture creative thinking and intuition. In Thoreau's words, "I have, as it were, my own sun and moon and stars, and a little world all to myself."

In these peaceful days, I woke up greeted by birdsong every morning and a breathtaking view of Kezar Lake. Besides simple cooking and unhurried strolls along the lake, I immersed myself freely in a range of creative pursuits. Having spent several years in writing and translation, my first creative expression at Hewnoaks was a poem, as I instinctively reached for words before gradually shifting back into the language of visual art. Then, I practiced drawing, painting, and photography, while also exploring relief printmaking for the first time. During the second half of the residency, I began conceptualizing my Jiang Jian art series, integrating photography, typography, and studio art.

The creative freedom and unpressured time Hewnoaks provided brought me a profound sense of liberation and quiet ecstasy, creating a space where time dissolved and imagination flowed effortlessly. By the end of the residency, I had accomplished far more than I had hoped. Not only had I developed a clear vision for the Jiang Jian art series but, more importantly, I felt my creativity well replenished with renewed energy and passion.

Hewnoaks Artist Residency has achieved a delicate, thoughtful balance between fostering a sense of community and safeguarding the solitude and creative freedom that artists deeply value. As the nation commemorates its semi-quincentennial, Hewnoaks' philosophy reflects a longstanding tradition that upholds artistic independence, the freedom to think differently, and the healing power of nature. Together with its stunning and inspiring scenery, this unique, nurturing environment cultivates creative souls and, in turn, helps to awaken their fullest creative potential, bringing vitality and originality to their work.

As the landscape of contemporary artist residencies evolves in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, Hewnoaks remains a vital refuge for artists-a sanctuary for solitude, creativity, and inner renewal. My experience at Hewnoaks echoed, in many ways, the spirit of Walden Pond, serving as a powerful reminder of the virtues of simple and deliberate living, self-reliance and reflection, reverence for nature, and the cultivation of a clear, creative mind.

Written by -
Jing Zhou
Professor of Graphic and Interactive Design
monmouth.edu/directory/profiles/jing-zhou
jingzhoustudio.com