THE MISSION
Hazey Acres is an emerging queer/trans artist residency and respite on a 6-acre swathe of land in rural North Central Florida, the unceded traditional homelands of Native nations including Timucua, Mascogo, Seminole, and Miccosukee. Hazey provides rest and retreat for artists to connect with Florida wildlife, and a space to hold joy and beauty along with grief. We connect artists with the land, themselves, and each other. Hazey is ALIVE and teeming with plants and animals that are also seeking respite. With an emphasis on rest, connection, pleasure and exploration, we provide focused time for artists to dive deep into new bodies of work in a supportive environment.
Hazey Acres is located just six miles from Ichetucknee Springs State Park, a 2,669-acre wildlife haven and home to eight major freshwater springs that provide the region’s drinking water. Hazey is within an hour of over ten other freshwater springs, offering recreation access for swimming, tubing, paddling, hiking, and birding. Here at Hazey we love taking folks on spring tours of the area, floating down the river in tubes, sharing meals, and coworking together in the shared studio space. Creators have access to feedback and creative critique, collaboration or just simple silent encouragement.
Respite
Rest is of the utmost importance at Hazey. We are committed to understanding and accommodating the needs of people with disabilities, Black and Indigenous People of Color, LGBTQ+ people, fat folks, and those with barriers to accessing natural places, particularly in Florida where there is a long legacy of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Black legislation with heightened threats today. We are engaged in an ongoing process of listening and learning how to better facilitate a place where everyone can thrive and have their needs met. After hosting 40+ artists over the past three years, we continuously see firsthand the profound impact that rest and free time has on artists. We have been able to witness powerful transformations emotionally, spiritually, and artistically when people are given space to slow down.
Creation
We believe that creativity blooms from deep rest and communion with nature. Our intention is to foster an environment where people can freely create, collaborate, experiment, and play. We are available for artists to talk through their ideas and dreams and share our supplies and knowledge. We have underwater camera capabilities, art supplies, raw materials, acres of native plant life, and a desire to help make dreams come true. We also respect artists’ need for quiet and solitude.
Education
We are passionate about educating people on the lands and waters now known as Florida– the region’s unique ecology, the histories of peoples who were here before us, and the challenges and importance of continuing to protect the sacred waters flowing through the entire soggy state. We are particularly committed to protecting endangered manatees and the local spring system, which are both currently threatened by pollution, development, and extraction. We firmly believe that facilitating experiences for people to be creative and immersed in the natural landscape will inspire the environmental movement building and protection that these delicate ecosystems so desperately need. We host art making and gardening workshops for elder neighbors and kid visitors and love intergenerational connection.
Scroll through our pics below to see some special moments at and around Hazey over the past few years:
