Residency

Respect
Residents must uphold general standards of decorum and decency to insure a positive experience for themselves and each other. Residents are not allowed to visit one another’s studios or living quarters without an invitation. Music must be played at a considerate level. Quiet hours are observed from 10 pm to 7 am.

Zero Tolerance
To ensure that everyone can enjoy a peaceful and productive residency, PLAYA has a zero-tolerance policy on activity that violates general standards of decorum and decency. The use of illegal drugs or the abuse of alcohol is prohibited. PLAYA does not provide alcohol; however, residents may bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy and share. Firearms, fireworks, or any other explosive materials are not permitted on PLAYA property. Unwanted sexual overtures or disruptive behavior may lead to the immediate termination of your residency.

Pets
PLAYA is unable to accommodate residents’ pets. If you require a service animal, please disclose this information in your application so that we may accommodate you appropriately.

Smoking, Candles, Incense
PLAYA’s grounds and buildings are smoke free. Burning candles, incense, or other materials in or around your cabin is not permitted.

Visitors
PLAYA amenities and facilities are intended for residents accepted through the selection process, and are not to be extended to family members, friends or other guests without prior permission from PLAYA staff. Residents may invite guests to visit during daytime hours between 8 am and 5 pm. Visitor requests should be kept to a minimum, and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Residents’ visitors must be accompanied by the resident at all times and are not allowed to stay overnight—no exceptions.

Collaborations
Collaborative teams are welcome to apply but each member must fill out an individual application and be accepted on their own accord. Once accepted, PLAYA will schedule collaborative teams together. Please refer to the application page for more instructions on collaborative applications.

Living Quarters, Studio, and Workspace Maintenance
All living quarters, studios, and workspaces will be cleaned prior to your arrival. Your self-sufficiency at PLAYA includes looking after and keeping your living quarters, work or studio space, and linens clean during your stay. Cleaning supplies, including a vacuum, are available for you in your cabin, and washing machines and laundry soap are available in the Commons and the south laundry room. Residents are expected to clean their accommodations and workspaces before they depart.

PLAYA staff keeps shared spaces clean and maintained. However, we expect residents to tidy up after they use public spaces. PLAYA staff does not clean private living quarters when residencies are in session.

Facilities and Grounds Maintenance
PLAYA makes every effort to maintain its facilities at all times. Due to its physical setting, ongoing routine maintenance is required to keep ahead of the climatic impact. Spring through fall, we will be watering, planting, and mowing the grounds. Fall or spring means window washing and sometimes planting and mowing the grounds. Winter promises snow removal machinery on the roads and parking lots. Staff will try to accommodate special work times whenever possible.

Fire
Fire danger is very real at PLAYA. You will be told about the safe use of the fire pit outside the Commons and the outdoor BBQ grill. Campfires are not permitted anywhere on the property.

Questions?
If you have questions about PLAYA’s facilities or policies before you arrive, please do not hesitate to send an email. We will be happy to assist you.
info@playasummerlake.org

Each resident is provided housing with a kitchen, and a place to work, either a studio or a desk area in their cabin (including one shared living quarters cabin). All meals and provisions are the responsibility of the resident. PLAYA will provide 4 group dinners during a 26-day residency, two dinners during a 12-day and 1 dinner during a 5-day residency.  The most current covid safety protocols will be communicated prior to your arrival. Living, work, and studio spaces have standard utilities, abundant natural light, open vistas in an expansive landscape, and are free of telephone, television, and internet. PLAYA has two laundry rooms resdienct can use during their stay.

PLAYA provides:

• Cabins with bathroom, beds, dining area, and full kitchens or kitchenettes
• Comfortable furnishings
• Linens, blankets, towels, washcloths, pillows and a warm duvet
• Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, glasses, etc.
• A drip-style coffee pot and paper filters
• Dish soap, paper towels, and toilet paper
• All natural, biodegradable laundry detergent
• Regular mail delivery and pick up
• Phone for local and long distance calls within the US
• Limited Internet access
• A safe, peaceful, quiet working and living environment
• A beautiful landscape
• Some meals as listed for Awarded Residencies and Workshop Retreats only. No meals are included for Self-Directed Residencies.

What You Should Bring:

• Specialized professional equipment
• Computer, printer, and paper
• Writing materials and office supplies
• Stationery and postage stamps
• Art materials and supplies, tools, special paper, inks, etc.
• Food to last for at least two weeks
• Personal toiletries
• Good hand and body lotion as well as lip balm for our dry climate
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Good walking and muck-proof shoes
• Good studio shoes or slippers for wooden floors
• Comfortable, casual clothing that can be layered
• Warm jacket, sweaters, long pants, warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Swimsuit, for use at the Summer Lake Hot Springs- * currently closed due to Covid-19
• If you bring your bicycle, also bring extra tubes and repair tools
• Flashlight/headlamp for night walks (and extra batteries)
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Music and means to play it
• Credit/debit card
• Alcoholic beverages, if desired
• Any art supplies that your require

Location
PLAYA is notable for its isolation. Few people live in this part of the country, which makes it quiet, peaceful and difficult to find the services and items you may be accustomed to. Expect to be self-reliant, and plan on bringing any special supplies you may need. The towns that are within easy driving distance are very small: the population of Paisley is 250. Summer Lake and Silver Lake are considerably smaller. Do not expect to be able to buy more than the basic necessities in the local area.

Arrival
Accepting a Residency means making a commitment to arrive on the first day, and remain at PLAYA through the last day of the residency you are awarded.  We prefer it if you arrive between 2 p.m and 4 p.m. on the first day (refer to your award notice for the exact date). When you arrive, park outside of the Commons, which is the biggest and most central building on the property, and step inside to begin your orientation.

If your arrival will be unexpectedly delayed, please let staff know as soon as possible by calling 541-943-3983.

Transportation
If you are driving, DO NOT use Google maps, Mapquest or GPS devices to locate PLAYA; they are often inaccurate or unreliable. PLAYA is located on Highway 31 between mile markers 81 and 82, about 10 miles south of the Summer Lake Post office. If you are arriving in the winter months expect ice and snow. All-season tires, snow tires or carrying a set of chains is recommended.

If you are flying, the nearest airport is Bend/Redmond (RDM), and is two and a half hours away by car. You will find rental car agencies at the airport. In addition, there is a shuttle service that will transport residents to PLAYA from the airport for around $175 (one way): Enviro Shuttle (541-598-5384, www.enviroshuttle.net).

Departure
You should plan to depart by noon of the last day of your residency. Please refer to your invitation letter for the exact date. We request that you vacate studios and private living spaces no later than 12:00 p.m.  Your consideration of this schedule is appreciated.

Orientation
When you arrive, a PLAYA staff member will help you check into your living quarters and give you a brief orientation to the campus. Those residents requiring a studio will also be shown their specific workspace. A more in-depth orientation takes place the following morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Commons.

Group Meals
PLAYA will provide 4 group dinners during a 26-day residency, two dinners during a 12-day and 1 dinner during a 5-day residency. Please refer to your retreat agenda for meals provided during Workshop retreats

Residents’ Food and Drink
Residents are expected to prepare all other meals using the food and supplies they bring with them. Each cabin comes equipped with its own kitchen or kitchenette. It is recommended that you arrive with at least enough food to feed yourself for two weeks. However, if you are missing an ingredient for one of your meals, PLAYA might have it on hand, so feel free to ask a staff member for assistance.

PLAYA has a “BYOB” policy for alcohol. Beer and wine are for sale at the Summer Lake Store as well as spirits at the Paisley Mercantile, but selection is limited. If you want to have these beverages on hand, it is recommended that you bring them with you.

Grocery Shopping
When you arrive you will be given information on places to shop, eat, and fill your gas tank. Be advised, in a remote area prices tend to be higher than in larger surrounding towns, and selection is limited.

The town of Bend, Oregon, is 102 miles from PLAYA, approximately two hours away by car. If you fly into the Bend/Redmond airport you will drive through Bend on your way to Playa. In Bend you can find most of the food and supplies you need to provide for yourself at Playa. In fact, on the corner of Hwy 20 (also known as Greenwood Ave) and North 27th St., a Costco is located next to a Whole Foods and a Safeway.

There is a small Safeway one hour south of PLAYA in the town of Lakeview, Oregon.

Overall, we recommend that you plan ahead and bring most of the food you need. Once you are at PLAYA we can help you figure how and where to resupply when necessary. Should you find that the refrigerator and freezer in your living quarters are not adequate to store your perishable supplies, we should be able to accommodate extra food in the Commons.

Internet Access at PLAYA
PLAYA provides wi/fi in the Commons only. If you need internet in your cabin or studio consider bringing an AT&T mobile hotspot.

Phone
There is a telephone landline in the Commons building available to residents with free, unlimited long-distance calling within the U.S. Cellular reception is sporadic and unreliable at PLAYA. Cell reception can be unreliable and differs between carriers at PLAYA. AT&T and T-Mobile work well, Verizon does not.

Residents’ Phone Number
For incoming long-distance calls from family and friends, the phone number is (541) 943-3983. This phone, the only landline at PLAYA, is located in the Commons building and is shared by all residents and PLAYA staff. There is no fax service at PLAYA.

Residents’ Address
Please give family, friends, and other correspondents the following address for mail delivery to you while at PLAYA: (Your Name), PLAYA Residency Program, 47531 Hwy 31, Summer Lake, OR 97640. Mail sent without your name and “PLAYA Residency Program” will take longer to get to you.

Shipping
Supplies may be shipped one week in advance of your arrival via FedEx, UPS or USPS. (Note that FedEx can be unreliable.) PLAYA recommends UPS. Please be considerate of staff by packing your materials in boxes of a manageable size and weight. Your shipment will be held for you until you arrive. Whether you use FedEx, UPS, or USPS, use the street address: (Your Name), PLAYA Residency Program, 47531 Hwy. 31, Summer Lake, OR 97640.

Cash
The town of Paisley (population 250, located 17 miles south of PLAYA) has an ATM machine inside the Paisley Mercantile. You may use a credit or debit card with local merchants in Paisley, Summer Lake, and Lakeview. PLAYA does not provide check-cashing services and does not keep cash on hand.

Gas
There are gas stations in Summer Lake and in Paisley. There is AAA service at Summer Lake; however, they come from either Bly or La Pine and take a few hours to arrive.

Weather
The Summer Lake basin, in which PLAYA is located, is subject to storms and high winds with gusts up to 65 mph. In the summer months, the temperature ranges from close to 90 during the day to 50 at night. In winter, the average highs are in the low 40s to mid 30s, and the lows may dip well below freezing. All seasons can vary in temperature and level of precipitation. Don’t let the name fool you, winter comes to Summer Lake with gusto, and the wind can be strong in any season.  If your residency is during the cold months (November through March), be sure your vehicle is equipped with appropriate tires and chains. Please check road condition cameras at tripcheck.com

Exercise
Miles of trails and Forest Service roads offer varied views of the Summer Lake valley and are appropriate for walking, hiking and mountain biking. You may swim in the pond during warmer months. Winter residents can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when there is snow on the playa. PLAYA has available canoes and paddles for use on the pond. Residents must bring all other outdoor gear. There are no gear rental stores in the immediate area.

Packing

Clothing
At PLAYA, extreme weather changes may occur within the same day. Layers of clothing are the best way to meet the challenges of the changing weather. Residents are expected to arrive with adequate clothing for the duration of their stay. Comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots are handy. Sturdy, waterproof boots are a must during winter for access to the muddy lakebed.

If you are looking for funding and resources to cover your residency at PLAYA please check out this link as a first step.

Funding Resources

Oregon artists can apply for the Career Opportunity Grant through the Oregon Arts Commission to cover residency costs.

Oregon Opportunity Grant