Mentored Residencies in Santa Fe
Strengthen Your Voice. Reignite Your Practice. Achieve Your Dreams.
For many artists, long hours alone in the studio can start to feel like an echo chamber — full of doubt, second-guessing, and that quiet fear: “Does my work even matter? What if it’s not good enough?” Without professional feedback and direction, it’s easy to lose momentum. You may find yourself reworking the same piece over and over, starting from scratch, or wondering if your art is even relevant. A Mentored Residency is designed to change that.
This immersive experience offers personalized mentorship from Jen Tough — an experienced art director, curator, juror, and gallerist with more than 30 years of creative leadership. Jen’s art direction career included collaborations with Nike, Warner Bros Records, Disney/Hollwyood Records, Drew Carey, and Urban Outfitters — and nearly a decade as a gallery owner, juror and curator representing artists from around the world. Her expertise spans both the fine art and commercial worlds, giving you insight that few mentors can provide.
Through deep conversation and supportive critique, you’ll receive practical, actionable guidance to strengthen your voice and elevate your work — with no topic off-limits. Whether it’s elevating your work through defining your style, isolating and expanding successful elements and concepts, developing more visual confidence, clarifying your pricing and marketing, or strategizing regional or local gallery relationships, Jen will help you chart a clear path toward your next level of growth. Each session is intimate, focused, and supportive — designed to push your work further while honoring who you are as an artist.
This residency is intentionally limited to just three artists per week at our serene Santa Fe facility, ensuring personal attention, meaningful connection with other artists, and space to create without distraction.
If you’re ready to move beyond uncertainty and invest in your next evolution as an artist — this experience was designed for you.
The Mentored Residency Experience
This mentoring experience includes pre and post-residency programming along with an all-inclusive week in Santa Fe with Jen. It is highly personal and tailored to each artist’s goals and needs. With our small cohort of just three artists each week, we are able to be flexible and accommodating to the desires of the group, and allow for extensive personal attention.
Pre-Residency
An Introduction to You and Your Work
You’ll begin by answering a series of in-depth questions about you, your work and dreams, with links to your art so Jen can begin to get to know all about your practice. Following the completion of your questionnaire, we’ll schedule a Zoom with Jen to set clear goals for your upcoming residency, what to expect and how to prepare for Santa Fe, and do our first deep dive into discussion about your work.
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Santa Fe Residency
Focused, One-on-One Studio Mentoring with Jen
Spend a full week immersed in your art and guided growth without all of the daily distractions. Each day (except Sunday) includes at least one dedicated mentoring session with Jen, along with ongoing check-ins and studio visits throughout the day. This time is completely focused on you — your work, your process, and your next evolution as an artist. You’ll receive at least six, one-hour-long mentoring sessions during your residency.
Small Group Discussions, Optional Field Trips & Critiques
You’ll also engage with a hand-selected group of just 3 artists per session, creating space for shared dialogue, feedback, and connection which we will facilitate as guided by the group’s needs and desires. These discussions spark new perspectives, challenge your thinking, and foster genuine artistic friendships that continue well beyond your residency. At the group’s request, we’ll take you to some of Santa Fe’s most popular art destinations: Canyon Road, SITE Santa Fe, Railyard District, Museum Hill, Meow Wolf and more.
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Post-Residency
Membership in Our Online Artist in Residence Community
Keep the momentum after your residency as a member in our online Artist in Residence community, where you’ll connect with your artist group from Santa Fe and meet new artists who have completed a mentored or un-mentored residency at Jen Tough Gallery, Santa Fe. Best of all, you’ll be able to share your work to stay on track, stay accountable to your goals, along with giving and receiving feedback.
We also offer quarterly online residencies in our community, designed to foster deeper connection, accountability, and personalized feedback within small, supportive cohorts. These quarterly sessions are ideal for staying on track and greater connection with other artists, and are ideal for when you want to commit to developing a new technique, complete a focused body of work, or receive thoughtful, ongoing feedback.
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How You’ll Benefit from a Mentored Residency
Clarity & Direction — In addition to critiques and discussion with other resident artists, get the eyes of an expert on your work to identify what makes your work strong and uniquely you. With Jen, you’ll chart a course to achieve your dreams and elevate your work.
Renewed Confidence — move past self-doubt with the assurance that your art matters, and why it matters. Learn to identify what is “working” and what is not, how to elevate your practice, and how to get your work seen in the right places by the right people.
Elevated Practice — create fresh, intentional, and impactful work ready for new opportunities through intensive, highly personalized critique and feedback.
Connection & Support — join a small, intimate group of artists who understand your journey, develop a meaningful relationship with a seasoned gallerist, and continue the relationships and feedback with membership in our online AIR community, where you can share your current work with other AIRs long into the future.
Who This Program is For
Artists of all levels — from emerging voices to mid-career professionals.
Artists who feel stuck or stagnant in their practice.
Artists questioning whether their work is “good enough” to keep going
Artists seeking professional insight to move their practice forward, gain confidence and assurance
Artists who want to grow in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Who This Program is Not For
Artists who are not open to feedback or resistant to growth.
Artists who want quick fixes instead of sustained, meaningful development in their practice.
Artists who prefer to work in isolation without input or support.
Artists unwilling to put in the time and energy needed to achieve their dreams.
Artists afraid of success.
The Mentored Residency Includes
Pre-Residency Zoom session with Jen prior to your Santa Fe residency to discuss your practice and art, clarify goals and help you get prepared
Transportation to/from Santa Fe Airport/SAF
Seven nights of private accommodations with ensuite bath (Sunday - Sunday) at our beautiful and serene Santa Fe facility. Choice of Hummingbird, Sunflower or Raven
Private Studio w/ 24/7 access
Daily private mentoring sessions in Santa Fe with Jen (Mon - Sat)
Sunday night welcome dinner
Saturday night farewell dinner
Group critiques as desired throughout week
Optional field trips at request of group: Canyon Rd, Meow Wolf, Railyard Arts District, Plaza, Museum Hill, etc
All meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee/tea, drinks and wine
Access to all facility amenities: firepit, lounge, art book library, artist kitchen, dining room, patio
Membership in our online Artist in Residence community to keep the momentum going, connect with previous artists in residence, and get feedback on your latest work.
Investment Amount & Program Dates
INVESTMENT
$5200 Raven Room & Studio | $5400 Sunflower Casita & Studio | $5600 Hummingbird Casita & Studio
Included (pre and post support): all meals, snacks & wine, local transportation for optional field trips, SAF airport pickup/dropoffs, 7 nights private casita, 7 days private studio, 6+ private mentoring sessions, welcome dinner, farewell dinner, critiques, membership in our online artist in residence community, pre-residency consult, all facility amenities (fire pit, artist kitchen, dining room, art book library, unlimited coffee/tea, lobby lounge), new artist friends.
2026 PROGRAM DATES
Feb 1 - 8 | Feb 15 - 22 | March 1 - 8 | March 22 - 29 | April 12 - 19 | Aug 23 - 30 | Nov 15 - 21 | Dec 13 - 20
FAQs:
Is there a payment plan? Yes, we take a $500 non-refundable deposit at registration. The balance is divided into 2 equal payments, each due 4-6 weeks apart until paid in full. If registering less than 90 days, payment is due in full. We invoice via email and you can pay by check, debit or credit card.
Do I need to rent a car? Basic transportation is provided and included, so car rental is not needed unless you want the freedom a car offers. We’ll pick you up and drop you off from Santa Fe Airport (SAF): Arrival Sunday: 11am - 4pm / Departure Sunday: 8am - 2pm or at Quail Run for Groome Shuttle drop off/pick up. Email us for details or to arrange pick up.
Can you accommodate my food allergies/restrictions? We can accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian by offering these foods at each meal, but selections may be limited. We are happy to do one grocery run to the local store on arrival Sunday or Monday. If you need to cook on your own, we recommend reserving Sunflower or Hummingbird, that have private kitchenettes.
What are the meals like? Breakfasts are always continental, with fresh pastries and bagels (flown in from NYC by our local coffee shop!), fruit, oatmeal, yogurt and cereals. We offer a variety of coffee and tea with dairy and non-dairy creamers. Lunch will be a spread with sandwich makings, soups and salads. Dinners will be a combination of take-out (order what you want from the menu), pizza and taco nights. On Saturday night, we’ll go out to Legal Tender Saloon in “Old West” Lamy. Throughout the day, there are unlimited snacks, coffee, tea and beverages. We will always offer vegetarian and gluten free options. With our small group, we are better able to provide personalized options for those with food sensitivities.
What airport should I fly into? We recommend Santa Fe (SAF) because we’ll pick you up and drop off, but flights can be limited than ABQ/Albuquerque (60 min away). If you fly into ABQ, there are many transportation options including Groome Shuttle, Uber (about $90-120) or car rental if you want the freedom of a car during your stay. If using Groome Shuttle, ask for drop off at Quail Run, and we’ll pick you up (please make arrangements with us prior).
Can I bring my partner/spouse/children? For mentored residencies, we are unable to accommodate partners or children as this is a solo experience.
Can I bring my dog(s)? Registered service dogs are always welcome. For mentored residencies, we are unable to accommodate pet dogs.
What if I need to cancel due to an emergency? After payments are made, we do not offer refunds unless we have an active waiting list and we can fill your spot. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance for any unexpected events causing a cancellation to your residency.
Where are you located? Our facilities are located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe / Plaza in the Eldorado at Santa Fe area, 30 minutes from Santa Fe Airport (SAF), 60 minutes from Albuquerque Airport (ABQ), 5-7 minutes to “old west” town Lamy
The Cost of Lost Time
Many artists spend years alone in the studio, circling the same doubts: “Is my work good enough? Am I moving in the right direction? Should I even keep going?” Without guidance, it’s easy to keep repeating the same cycles—making more work, but not necessarily growing.
The truth is, every year spent second-guessing yourself is a year you could have been building confidence, clarity, and momentum in your practice. The Mentored Residency is designed to change that. You’ll receive the professional insight, focused feedback, and personal support that can save you years of uncertainty and doubt, and put you on the right path to achieving your art goals. Instead of spinning your wheels endlessly, you’ll know where your work stands, where it’s going, and how to get there—with the reassurance of having a mentor by your side.
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Many artists spend thousands of dollars each year on workshops that, while valuable, can unintentionally lead to mimicking the instructor’s style or methods—often at the expense of your own artistic voice. Without individualized guidance, it’s common to experience creative blocks or a loss of momentum once the workshop ends, leaving you unsure of direction or disconnected from your own style and voice. This is an inherent limitation of artist-led workshops: they naturally—but unintentionally— encourage the adoption of the instructor’s process or style, rather than fostering authentic, individual growth.
The Mentored Residency is a solution. When artists learn to identify and define their own style, their work transforms—they step into a new level of confidence and creative authority. No longer influenced or diluted by external voices, they can approach any workshop, idea, or opportunity with clarity and intention. Artists who complete a mentored residency emerge with a deeper understanding of their unique artistic voice—mature, self-assured, and unmistakably their own.
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The greater risk is doing nothing—letting another year slip by in the same cycle of doubt, lack of direction, or continually adopting other artists’ styles. A mentored residency is your opportunity to break that pattern and step forward with clarity, confidence and community.
Ready to Invest in Yourself and Your Art?
This is your moment to step out of the cycle of doubt and step into clarity, growth, and renewed confidence in your work. The Mentored Residency with Jen Tough is intentionally limited to just 3 artists per week so that every participant receives the focus and attention they deserve.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally put your art first, this is it. Don’t let another year slip by questioning whether your work matters—it does. And with the right guidance, it can matter even more.
Email us now to express interest, and begin your journey of transformation.
Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and once all the spots are taken, enrollment will close until the following year. There is no application or review process, just a desire to improve and grow.
