Art‑inspired summers are a long‑standing tradition at Alfred University. Making and creating have always been central to both the educational experience and the community itself. That belief continues to shape Summer Arts at Alfred, a series of workshops and residencies designed for artists at different stages of their lives. For parents of high school students and adult artists alike, these programs offer something increasingly rare: immersive learning experiences that prioritize process over pace, curiosity over productivity, and reflection over routine. Two workshops take place in Maine, where the landscape itself becomes a vital part of the creative experience.
Along Maine’s rugged coastline, the Keyes Residency provides a setting intentionally removed from distraction. Sweeping ocean views, rocky shorelines, and ever‑changing light create an environment that naturally encourages observation, slowness, and sustained attention.
This balance of structure and openness is particularly appealing to parents seeking meaningful enrichment opportunities for their students, as well as to adult learners looking to reconnect with their artistic practice. Instruction is guided and purposeful, yet the residency environment leaves space for quiet exploration and self‑directed discovery.
Within this setting, Alfred University offers two distinct—but complementary—Summer Arts workshops, each approaching creativity from a different perspective.
