Agricultural Artistry
Where Art and Rest Meet on the Land
Here at the Art of Rest, we know that "rest" sometimes is creating better systems and working hard in the now for more easeful, sustainable futures. While we already intentionally practice this in our 1:1 guidance spaces and workshops, we are also looking at a bigger, intergenerational picture.
Part of our process is building deep relationships with the land and creating art supplies from our very own soil. By taking care of our physical land well in the present moment, we create more restful environments for future generations.
Each summer we grow a variety plants, but in current chapters we are focusing on flower farming to create pigments for dyes and paints and willow growing for wildcraft basketry. We are following dreams around building outdoor classroom space for artists to come, rest, and share their gifts. In the meantime, part of the cycle of rest is slowly and intentionally working towards the world we’d like to see.
Sliderock Ranch
—aka—
Sisyphus Farms
Sliderock Ranch is outside of Salmon, Idaho. As one of the most remote towns in the lower 48-states, the diversity of landscapes to explore is endless. In the past decade, the artistic community has been slowly growing, and is ripe for opportunity. With access to one of the largest wilderness areas in the country, millions of acres of additional public land, natural hot springs, iconic whitewater, and a cute, cowboy town of approximately 3,000—Salmon is a unique space to unplug for the summer. We’d love to host anyone who is interested in investing in our small community, and we would be especially enthusiastic about accommodating artists, creatives, and anyone with a background in permaculture.
If you, or someone you know is interested in getting their hands dirty this summer, please email us for more information.
Join Us On the Ranch
We’d love to host you at Sliderock Ranch! There are multiple opportunities to get involved including a week-long camping and farming opportunity as well as seasonal work/trade positions. Learn more below.
Getting Your Hands Dirty
Sometimes the most nourishing creative practice is the one as old as time—putting your hands in the soil and finding the rich, creative stories that live inside of it. Once a year we invite the community to participate in the process of prepping, planting or harvesting on the land. While we work hard during the day, we find time to play in natural hot springs, visit mountain lakes and rivers, share meals together around a fire and rest on the sage-brushy land together. We have plenty of camping spots, and ask that people take care of their own breakfasts and dinners while we provide working-day lunch.
This year’s dates are TBD
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If you're interested in helping us...
Work Trade Opportunity — Planting Art In Rural Idaho
As we grow, we’re noticing an extra set of hands for the season would cultivate a great sense of ease and rest for everyone. We are currently looking for seasonal work-trade help on the farm. We have modest accommodations for 1-2 interested people and would hope for about 20 hours of work-trade in exchange for room and food staples.
The Fruits (or Flowers) of Our Labor
Although we’re early in our process, it is likely this coming fall we’ll begin to sell the fruits of our labor. Sometimes these are literal fruits, sometimes these are dried flowers for natural dyeing. Perhaps you’ll even be able to purchase a region-specific watercolor pallet.