Watershed NOW

For more than thirty years, Watershed’s programs have offered a powerful combination of time, space, and community that changes artists’ lives and work. The campus facilities play an integral role in facilitating Watershed’s magic by providing an environment that sparks growth and connection. However, our original buildings posed a host of challenges, including a lack of full accessibility and security, and no weatherization. The outdated structures left artists at the mercy of the elements and constrained our program season to late May through September.

The Watershed NOW campaign has transformed the artist residency experience on campus and established key buildings to support the organization’s infrastructure. These necessary upgrades will encourage the growth of artists and our programs for years to come. 

Completed: 

Phase I: Project planning, feasibility study and conceptual facility designs, 2015-2017

Phase 2: Purchase and renovation of the Joan Pearson Watkins House, 2018-2019 

• This restored historic home holds Watershed’s Barkan Gallery, which offers space for exhibitions, lectures, and events. Watershed’s administrative offices are also located in the house.

Phase 3: Construction of the Studio Annex, 2020

• The Annex includes a multimedia workshop and flexible space for material storage and maintenance work. 

Phase 4: Windgate Studio, 2020-2021

• The 7,500 square foot, ADA-compliant studio supports an expanded residency and workshop season. Features include a state-of-the-art filtration and ventilation system, spacious glaze area, custom spray booth, plaster room, and a single-level floor plan offering a seamless transition between studio and kilns. 

Phase 5: The Commons design and construction, 2022-2024

• The Commons replaced the existing Thompson Hall. The buidling includes a dining hall and multi-purpose gathering area for artists, commercial kitchen, and ADA-accessible artist housing.

Support the Maintenance Fund 
& help sustain our new buildings!

Rendering of The Commons, as seen from Watershed’s lower campus

The final phase of the capital campaign provided artists with an ADA-accessible, secure, and weatherized gathering space to facilitate connections and community over meals and outside the studio.

Replacing Thompson Hall
Originally built to serve as a chicken nursery, Thompson Hall has taken on many lives. The building operated as a community dance hall before Watershed converted it into a dormitory, dining hall, kitchen and gathering space in the late 1980s. After decades of use, Thompson Hall was the last change to realize the Watershed NOW vision.

Windgate Charitable Foundation Challenge Grant
Thanks to an incredible response by a small community of supporters, we were able to meet the match by the end of 2022 and raise $350,000 – the remainder of the bridge loan for final studio construction costs. In turn, Windgate provided funding for the $3 million + Commons building.

Rendering of The Commons, as seen upon entering campus

Watershed’s vision to offer year-round programming in fully accessible, cost efficient, and sustainable facilities has been years in the making. We are immensely grateful for the support of individuals and foundations whose gifts and pledges to the Watershed NOW capital campaign have helped bring this vision to life.

Click here to see the list of capital campaign donors.