ARTIST IN RESIDENCY at RIVER RIDGE RANCH
River Ridge Institute’s Artist program provides a secluded, natural and tranquil space for creative pursuit.
Artists will be provided housing in our off-the-grid Secluded Cabin that is set amid towering oaks on our 100-acre pasture. That, in turn, is set within the 722-acre nature preserve that is River Ridge Ranch. The North Fork Tule River runs through the land and many miles of hiking trails are on the property.
River Ridge is in the Southern Sierra Nevada of California and is simultaneously a working ranch, event venue and community gathering spot. River Ridge Ranch is also home to River Ridge Institute, a 501(c)(3) that demonstrates and disseminates sustainable and regenerative land practices.
The tiny Pasture Cabin (120 sq. ft. + loft) has kitchen space, hot water, cooking/bbq facilities, minifridge, outside hot shower, free wifi, ATT and Verizon coverage, an outside deck/studio space, outside composting toilet, sleeping loft and storage space.
Artists can choose to remain apart or traverse the 1/3 mile to our public compound and share in various community events offered on the ranch. For example, we host concerts in the Spring and Fall through our Sunday Series featuring female-fronted talent. On the first Saturday each November we hold our Foothills Festival in which live music, local art, great food and beverages will pair with nature walks, ranch tours and demonstrations. Resident Artists are provided free access to the Institute’s public offerings.
The town of Springville (93265) is 2 miles away and Porterville 20 miles. Bakersfield is an hour to the south and Fresno an hour and a half north. Up the road (State Highway 190) 16 miles lies Camp Nelson at 5,000’ and entrance to a host of Giant Sequoia groves and the delights of the Middle Fork Tule River. Keep going to The Ponderosa at 7,200’ and fabulous rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming and hiking. If you continue the loop, you can visit California Hot Springs and soak in the natural waters, have lunch and hang out before descending west to the grasslands bordering the San Joaquin Valley and then back to Springville.