When the World Begins to Bloom Again
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"The deep roots never doubt spring will come." — Marty Rubin
All of the seasons are lovely at Oak Spring, but we look forward to spring most of all: as the earth thaws and the landscape begins to color with early flowers, one cannot help but anticipate the beauty that is to come.
This year, the arrival of the season is especially long-awaited. Following a long twelve months of uncertainty and isolation after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are feeling especially grateful for the health and safety of our families and friends – and hopeful that, this year, we will be able to share our site and resources with more members of our local, national, and global communities.
In addition to a wide range of fellowships and residencies, we're excited to offer a diverse roster of workshops and short courses in 2021 (both virtually and on and around the Oak Spring property) that are centered around plants and the environment. Scroll down to explore our current opportunities. We hope that you will be able to join us for what is sure to be a brighter year than the last.
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2022 Fellowship and Residency Applications are Open!
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We are thrilled to offer a range of residency and fellowship opportunities for 2022. The deadline for all applications is July 15, 2021. Note: there is one application to complete for all residencies and fellowships.
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2022 Fellowships
We are offering four fellowships in 2022 to support emerging leaders working in a variety of disciplines related to plants and the natural world. In addition to our Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study and our Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence, which we have offered every year since 2018, we are excited to offer the Fellowship in Plant Science Research and the Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology for the second year running. These fellowships each include a $10,000 individual grant and a 2-8 week stay at Oak Spring.
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Interdisciplinary Residencies
In 2022 the Oak Spring Garden Foundation will host four separate five-week interdisciplinary residencies, and two two-week interdisciplinary residencies. Each session is designed to support eight artists, conservation practitioners, researchers, scholars, scientists or writers who are pursuing work inspired by plants, gardens and landscapes. Each resident will receive a $2,000 individual grant, as well as time and space to pursue their creative projects alongside other residents of diverse perspectives.
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Botanical Artists in Residence
Applications are also open for the third iteration of our 2022 Botanical Artists in Residence program. This residency is designed to support artists who create beautiful and scientifically accurate depictions of plant species. Artists will complete their residencies during the spring, when the gardens and landscapes are in bloom. Awardees will receive a $1,000 individual grant, as well as an offer to purchase one final work on paper for $1,000 that will be accessioned into the OSGF Florilegium.
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2021 Workshops and Short Courses
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Spring Reading & Watching
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In 2018, OSGF partnered with Hedgebrook Women Writers Retreat on Whidbey Island to plan a residency for women environmental writers, or women writers who are inspired by subjects relating to the natural world at large. Due to complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the six writers selected for the program will instead participate in a residency at Hedgebrook at a time that is safe and convenient for them.
While we are sad not to host these writers on-site, we have instead developed a digital blog series, The World in Her Words, to support their work. Follow along as the series grows week by week with interviews and writing submissions from these talented women. After reading the work of these contemporary writers, celebrate Women's History Month by perusing our list of ten must-read women nature writers.
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Fighting Invasive Plants
Invasive plants species like tree of heaven, multiflora rose, and Japanese honeysuckle are, simply put, a pain in the neck. Fortunately, a solid management plan can help you get the upper hand on these pervasive plants. Visit our blog to see how members of our Arboriculture, Conservation, and Landscapes team tackle invasive plant species at Oak Spring. Want to learn more about controlling invasive species in our region? The deadline to apply to our upcoming one-day course with the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, "Invasive Plants of Northern Virginia," is next Monday!
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Formal Greenhouse Virtual Tour
One of the most peaceful and beautiful spaces at Oak Spring is the formal greenhouse. Designed by OSGF founder Bunny Mellon as a place to escape the bitter cold and tend to a range of warm-weather plants, it comes alive every winter with displays that include summer flowers, citrus trees, and Mrs. Mellon’s famous miniature topiaries. Take a stroll through the wings with us to see what's currently in bloom.
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