Mentored Residencies
Rediscover Your Voice. Reignite Your Practice.
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 still feels alive.
A One-on-One Mentored Residency with Jen Tough 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, Capitol Records, Drew Carey, and Urban Outfitters — and nearly a decade as a gallery owner 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 hands-on critique, you’ll receive practical, actionable guidance to strengthen your voice and elevate your work — with no topic off-limits. Whether it’s refining your artistic direction and elevating your work, 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.
What You’ll Receive
Personalized Mentorship with Jen Tough
Work directly with Jen Tough — an accomplished art director, curator, and gallerist with decades of experience helping both fine and commercial artists refine their voice, strengthen their practice, and bring their work to its highest potential. You’ll begin with an hour long private one-on-one Zoom session prior to your residency to set clear goals and direction and learn how to prepare for your residency, in-studio mentoring during your stay in beautiful Santa Fe, and a year-long membership in our new, online residency community, so you can keep the momentum and connections going long after your mentored residency has ended.
Focused, One-on-One Studio Mentoring in Santa Fe
Spend a full week immersed in your art and guided growth. Each day (except Sundays) 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 Conversations & Critiques in Santa Fe
You’ll also engage with a hand-selected group of just 3–5 artists per session, creating space for shared dialogue, feedback, and connection. These discussions spark new perspectives, challenge your thinking, and foster genuine artistic friendships that continue well beyond your residency.
One-Year Membership: Online Residency Community
Keep the momentum going by participating in our online, past AIR (Artist in Residence) community, where you’ll connect with your artist group from Santa Fe long after your residency week, meet new artists on a similar path as yourself, and best of all… share your current work and get feedback.
How You’ll Benefit
Clarity & Direction — finally know where your work is going and how to get there.
Renewed Confidence — move past self-doubt with the assurance that your art matters.
Elevated Practice — create fresh, intentional, and impactful work ready for opportunities.
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 a one year membership in our online AIR community.
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.”
Artists seeking professional insight to move their practice forward.
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.
Artists who prefer to work in isolation without input or support.
Artists looking only for a place to stay in Santa Fe, without interest in mentorship.
Artists unwilling to commit to the program.
Your Mentoring Residency Includes
One hour Zoom session with Jen prior to your Santa Fe residency to discuss your practice and art, clarify goals and help you get prepared for Santa Fe
Transportation to/from Santa Fe Airport/SAF Sundays
Transportation for field trips to local Santa Fe attractions - optional, group choice (Canyon Rd, Meow Wolf, Railyard Arts District, Plaza, Museum Hill, etc)
Seven nights of private accommodations (Sunday - Sunday) at our beautiful and serene Santa Fe facility
Choice of Hummingbird, Sunflower or Raven
Private Studio w/ 24/7 access
Six private mentoring/meeting sessions with Jen, at least one hour (Mon - Sat)
Sunday night art discussion w/ introductions and light dinner
Group critiques as desired throughout week
All meals: continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee/tea, drinks and wine (vegetarian and gluten-free options)
One year membership in our online Artist in Residence community after your residency is finished to keep the momentum going, connect with old and new artist friends, and get feedback on your latest work
2026 PROGRAM DATES (3 ARTISTS PER WEEK):
Feb 1-8 | Feb 15-22 | March 1-8 | March 22-29 | April 12-19 | July 5-12 | Aug 23-30 | Nov 15-21
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.
And when you think about it, the investment is modest compared to what most artists already spend:
Less than the cost of a single art fair booth—often $5000+ plus travel
About the cost of one large, week-long workshop—often $4000+ with travel fees (and limited individual attention)
Far less than the price of a single semester of art school—but much more personalized with crucial, real-world advice
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 their own artistic voice. Without individualized guidance, it’s common for artists to experience creative blocks or a loss of momentum once the workshop ends, leaving them unsure of their direction or disconnected from their personal style. This is an inherent limitation of artist-led workshops: they naturally emphasize adopting the instructor’s process rather than fostering authentic, individual growth.
The Mentoring Residency is a solution to this. By helping artists to fully step into their own creative voice and owning their creative vision and path, they can take workshops without their practice being diluted or redirected.
The greater risk is doing nothing—letting another year slip by in the same cycle of doubt, uncertainty, and stalled growth. This program 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 Program 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.
Details / Fees
Fees: $5200 Raven Room & Studio | $5400 Sunflower Casita & Studio | $5600 Hummingbird Casita & Studio
Included: Meals, snacks & wine, local transportation, 7 nights private casita, 7 days private studio, 6+ private mentoring sessions, resident artist critiques, online community for one year post-residency, pre-residency consult, all facility amenities (fire pit, artist kitchen, dining room, art book library, unlimited coffee/tea, lobby lounge)
2026 PROGRAM DATES (3 ARTISTS PER WEEK):
Feb 1 - 8 | Feb 15 - 22 | March 1 - 8 | March 22 - 29 | April 12 - 19 | July 5 - 12 | 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 for everything, and you can pay by check, debit or credit card.
Do I need to rent a car? Basic transportation is provided, 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.
Can you provide for my food allergies/restrictions? We can accommodate gluten free and vegetarian by offering these foods at each meal, but selection may be limited. We are happy to do one grocery run to the local store on arrival Sunday.
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.
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. You can find travel insurance companies via google.
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
