Our residencies are one month in duration, typically beginning on the 1st of the month and concluding around the 27th. Our residency season begins April 1 and concludes October 28 of every year. Accepting a residency means making a commitment to arrive on the first day and to remain at Willapa Bay AiR through the last day of the residency.

Willapa Bay AiR uses the SlideRoom online application system. We do not accept applications submitted by any other means. For detailed information go to the Application page on this web site.

There is a $30 application fee, but there are no fees for selected artists to be in residence. You are, however, responsible for costs associated with transportation to and from the Residency. Accepted applicants pay a $100 deposit to confirm their residency. This deposit will be refunded upon arrival.

The Residency is clustered on 20 acres near the hamlet of Oysterville, a historic landmark in Washington. The living spaces are cleared from a woods of hemlock, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce and shore pine. The studios and community Lodge building are situated in meadows fringed by salal, native spirea, and huckleberry. Ample visual artist studio spaces supplement the living quarters; those individuals not requiring separate studios are provided with live/work accommodations.

Residents are housed in individual accommodations with work and living space, bathroom and shower, bedding and towels. Each unit has a small refrigerator, electric kettle, coffee carafe, mugs, glasses, utensils. Cooking is not accommodated in the residences. Meals and communal gatherings take place in the main Lodge. There are steep steps and a wooden bridge to be negotiated between the cottages setting and the Lodge and studios. If you have physical limitations and require handicapped accessibility, be sure and discuss your requirements with our staff prior to application.

The visual arts studios measure 12' x 24', with 12' ceilings. The floors are cement, and the walls are covered with drywall and soundboard. The studios are heated, have exhaust fan ventilation, and a sink. There are 110V and 220V outlets. We provide worktables, chairs, work lamps and a simple tool set. There is overhead lighting, small windows, as well as filtered natural light.

Weather is typical of the maritime climate of the coastal Pacific Northwest. We have warm, but not hot, summers and cool, but not cold, springs and falls. Average temperature in the summer is about 72°F and in the spring/fall ranges from 35°F to 60°F. Precipitation should be anticipated any season, but is highly likely in spring and fall.

We are located at the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula, about 32 miles from Astoria, OR. The closest airport is Portland, OR; the second closest is Seattle, WA. Ground transportation options from Portland include renting a car or taking the bus to Astoria. There is no convenient public transportation from Seattle. While transportation is the residents' responsibility, Willapa Bay AiR staff will facilitate ridesharing from the airports or Astoria, if possible. The Resident Manual, sent with the invitation to be in residence, includes more detailed transportation information.

Several bicycles are available for residents' use during the month (helmets are not provided). Residents who are here without a car are usually able to coordinate with other residents with cars or with staff for trips to the store or nearby places of interest. There is local bus transportation from the Residency to nearby towns.