EncaustiCastle

10/10/2026

What does it look like? Wax in Winter and Artist in Residence, at The EC - https://mailchi.mp/8ebf7f324bce/what-does-it-look-like

10/03/2026

This is Why Art - https://mailchi.mp/dc640feca4cd/this-is-why-art

09/27/2026

EncaustiCastle (The EC):
Programs, Retreats & Artist Residencies
Nestled quietly in Lexington, Kentucky since 2015, the EncaustiCastle (The EC) has long been a haven for deep material exploration, artistic growth, and community. Following a powerful evolution in our programming and our newly established nonprofit status, we are thrilled to throw our doors open wider than ever before.

What makes every experience here truly unique is our vibrant backdrop: 11 local artist studios are housed right here on the grounds, with artists working and creating all the time. In and around all of our happenings, their active presence brings a wonderful, organic vibrancy and spontaneous sparks of engagement to your time here.

Whether you are looking for immersive winter investigation, dedicated studio time, or a fully supported residency, here is a look at what we offer artists throughout the year:

Wax, In Winter, At The EC (January)
Kicking off our annual calendar every January, this week-long retreat is designed for intimate, focused exploration. Guided by the spirit of a residency but shared within a small, collaborative cohort, participants spend the week entirely immersed in their art, deep conversation, and tactile material discovery—bolstered by generous manufacturer support and material donations.

Funded Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Sessions (May)
Beginning in May 2027, our official funded AiR program offers a dedicated two-week immersion for artists working across various mediums (not limited to encaustic). Designed as a self-guided experience, resident artists enjoy private accommodations and studio spaces, with shared access to our communal kitchen, scenic grounds, and a vibrant community housing 11 local artist studios.

Independent Self-Directed Residencies (Year-Round)
Outside of our scheduled sessions, our residency spaces remain open year-round for artists wanting to gift themselves time, space, and uninterrupted focus. Artists design their own schedules and goals, with optional mentorship, guidance, and developmental support available. Pay your way to the ultimate gift of dedicated studio time.

Guest Instructor Retreats (Beginning June 2027)
Designed as 3-to-5-day immersive workshops, these intimate gatherings bring gifted guest artists to The EC to share their talents and techniques across a multitude of mediums and material practices. Perfect for artists looking for focused, high-level instruction in a small-group setting.

Stay connected: Reach out with any questions as they arise, and keep creating!

Visit the post for more.

09/26/2026

What can I expect? Wax, in Winter and AiR at The EC - https://mailchi.mp/568564d31b35/ah-so-here-we-are-9310797

09/19/2026

carry the sky with you - https://mailchi.mp/fc0ed4c8e151/carry-your-sky-with-you

09/16/2026

What to expect: Wax, in Winter and Artist in Residence at The EC
Subject Line: What to expect when you step into the quiet sanctuary of winter and creative incubation.

Within the sheltering walls of the EncaustiCastle, time stretches differently. We invite you to look inward—to peel back the superficial noise of the everyday and listen to the quiet, persistent rhythm of your own creative marrow.

When you choose to step into an immersive experience at The EC, you aren't just signing up for a workshop or a program. You are making a sacred pact with your own evolution.

What can you truly expect when you invest yourself in these spaces of profound transformation?

Wax, in Winter: The Rebirth of a Tradition
As the pale stillness of winter settles over the landscape, the creative flame catches fire inside. Returning home with a renewed spirit, our signature week-long intensive (held the last week of January) offers an intimate, deep dive into the quiet power of winter studio practice.

What to Expect: A dedicated, warm community gathered around profound technical exploration. You can expect to surrender to the slow, intentional rhythm of the season—allowing the cold exterior to contrast with the warm, rich alchemy of wax and medium. It is an incubator for deep technical breakthroughs and soulful artistic communion.

The Freedom Ahead: Freedom from distraction. Freedom to push your boundaries, experiment without fear of failure, and let the medium speak in ways you never thought possible.

The Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Experience at The EC
For those called to a deeper, self-directed pilgrimage, our twice-yearly juried Artist-in-Residence program (and our flexible, self-funded Independent Residencies) offers an unhurried sanctuary to completely inhabit your practice.

What to Expect: Complete immersion. You step away from routine entirely and enter a living compound of color, peace, and natural rhythms—walking through cutting gardens and urban farm spaces, resting under high-reaching historic turrets, and finding a profound sense of place.

The Freedom Ahead: The absolute freedom of space and time. Space to pursue latent visions, space to wander, and space to allow your art to unfold organically, supported by a non-profit mission dedicated entirely to the elevation of your soul’s work.

Visit the post for more.

09/12/2026

the ec here for you- https://mailchi.mp/68c8c292675e/the-ec-here-for-you

09/10/2026

A bit about The EC and what it is coming to be from a patron and partnering point of view!

The Opportunity for Impact
Investing in EncaustiCastle (The EC) is an investment in the physical and cultural infrastructure of Lexington’s arts community. Located at 290 E. Loudon Avenue, The EC is a rare model: an artist-run compound that successfully blends private production, public education, and residency-driven cultural tourism.

Core Assets
Established Infrastructure: Fully operational physical compound with working artist studios and dedicated teaching facilities.

Economic & Cultural Footprint: Active participant in the monthly Lexington Art Hop, driving foot traffic and public engagement to the local arts district.

Proven Leadership: Founded and operated by experienced artists and educators deeply embedded in regional and national creative networks.

Investment & Philanthropic Tiers
The Equity & Access Fund: Underwriting an Underserved Artist Studio

Investment Focus: Provide a fully funded, one-year professional studio lease for an exceptional, under-resourced local creator.

Impact: Directly eliminates economic barriers to entry, giving an ambitious artist a permanent seat, community backing, and the physical space needed to scale their practice.

The Education & Retreat Innovation Fund

Investment Focus: Support instructional capacity, visiting master artist fees, and workshop infrastructure (including programs like Wax, In Winter).

Impact: Scales our educational outreach, providing rigorous skill-building opportunities for regional artists of all levels.

The Residency Fellowship Sponsor

Investment Focus: Directly fund travel, accommodations, and studio stipends for our biannual artist residency cohorts (two artists, two-week intensives twice a year).

Impact: Brings outside perspective and talent into Lexington, fostering dynamic cultural exchange and opening studio doors to the broader public.

Partner With Us
The physical space is ready. The community is engaged. With strategic financial partnership, The EC can fully realize its capacity to uplift individual careers and cement Lexington as a vibrant hub for contemporary visual art.

By pbseggebruchencausticastle (The EC)

09/05/2026

May I call you, Artist, In Residence? - https://mailchi.mp/01aed967e215/may-i-call-you-artist-in-residence

08/29/2026

Wax(es!), in Winter, at The EC - https://mailchi.mp/9ae196084cd6/waxes-in-winter-at-the-ec