We strive to create a residency environment that is welcoming to all. The following questions are meant to inform you of the kind of experience you will have here. Especially if you are not familiar with staying in the woods, please reflect upon the following conditions before you take time to apply.

Where is this? Is there public transit?

Stoneroot Retreat is in southern Appalachia, 1.5 hours north of Atlanta and 1.5 hours southeast of Chattanooga. It is 10 minutes outside of the town of Ellijay, which is a thriving, economically flourishing mountain town with plenty of stores, restaurants, etc. Our residency is set on 18 acres of temperate deciduous forest. The summers are hot (although the trees keep it reasonable) and the winters are cold, though generally it does not snow.

That said, we are in a semi-rural area outside of a town of 2,000. There is no public transportation and no Uber/Lyft. You will need a car. The closest grocery store is about 4 miles away and the closest pharmacy 3.5 miles away. If you are flying into ATL, you could hire a private shuttle service, but last we checked the cost was $175 one-way, plus tip (mid 2024), so renting a car makes more sense.

Is it in the woods? Will I encounter bugs, wildlife?

Yes, again, the property is in the woods. That means that you will surely encounter bugs and wildlife, especially as the weather warms. The cabins are insulated and well-built, but you may find a spider, wasp, or lizard inside. You will certainly encounter mosquitos and spiders outside, spot an occasional anthill, and perhaps run into a spiderweb or two while walking on the trail. There are wasps, bees, moths, and other beneficial insects, some of which you should be mindful of while on walks (especially yellow jackets: please notify staff if you see them near the trail or your cabin). At night, you will hear a lovely though loud cacophony of cicadas, crickets, frogs, etc. It is good to remember that we are all guests in this forest. We strive to maintain a respectful co-existence with the wildlife and insects who call the forest home.

All our buildings are treated for pests and climate controlled for comfort and safety, as well as cleaned before and after every residency.  

Can I change my dates after they are set?

Once residency dates are set, it is difficult for us to change them. We understand that life can be unpredictable and will work with you to reschedule your residency if necessary, but cannot guarantee availability at that point. We recommend a stay of 3 full days at minimum, plus travel days.

Is there funding available? A stipend?

Currently there is no funding or stipend available. We only provide accommodations and plenty of outdoor space to create, relax, and reset.

Are you open to the public?

To protect the uninterrupted time and privacy of our residents, Stoneroot is open to the public by invitation or appointment only. We have a very small staff and are generally unable to accommodate requests for private visits.

Who else will be there?

We can host up to three residents at a time. At times, you may be the only person on-site; at others, you could be sharing the common areas with two other residents as well as staff. Staff may include the caretaker and land manager, as well as Bruno and Willa who are on-site during the summer months and occasionally the rest of the year. Upon arrival you will receive an orientation packet with contact info for all staff. Please feel free to email or text us with any questions, or call us at any time in case of emergency. You may periodically see other people like the housekeeping staff and other maintenance workers. Bruno and Willa may have other guests from time to time; however, these will be limited to minimize disruption to all those staying on site. Learn more about us on our Who We Are page.

Can I apply as part of a collaboration or team?

We are a small facility and are only able to provide collaborative teams with two cabins. Each cabin has a bed and a pull-out couch, so depending on the privacy needs of your team members, we could host between 2 and 4 of them.

Can I have guests?

You are welcome to invite guests for small gatherings, meetings, studio visits, meals or project support. Significant others are permitted short overnight stays with advance notice. Any overnight guest will be required to sign a waiver. Larger gatherings are not generally permitted, but you could reach out to us to request an exception if needed. Residents are responsible for communicating all safety policies and community agreements with their guests. Please get in touch with us in advance at stonerootretreat@gmail.com if you would like to have guests in the property during your stay.

Can I bring my child?

Unfortunately, we are not able to have children stay overnight in the facility. If you are a parent and have further questions about how a residency might work for your situation, please contact us at stonerootretreat@gmail.com.

Can I bring my pet?

We are only able to host Service Animals as regulated by the ADA. This does not include Emotional Support or Therapy Animals. If you need to bring a regulated Service Animal, please let us know when scheduling your residency. Otherwise, pets or other animals are not allowed. We strive to be sensitive to potential allergies or phobias that staff or residents may have, and we want to do our best to ensure everyone is at ease while in residence.

What kind of space will I have?

Each resident has a private cabin with a bed, fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom, living room, and small dining area. Additionally, you’ll have access to other spaces shared by all residents. The Lounge/Library has a larger dining table and sink, but no bathroom. The garden is cared for by staff, but feel free to ask if you want to spend time there, do some gardening work, or harvest vegetables or herbs. There are platforms nestled in the woods that can be used for relaxation or work; these are shared by all residents.

What equipment is available?

Our cabins are minimally furnished with a desk and/or work table, and chairs. There isn’t artist studio space aside of your cabin, though the Lounge and Library may serve this purpose to some degree. You should plan on bringing with you all supplies and specific equipment you will need. We may have a selection of hand tools available—please contact staff about it below.

Cabin bedrooms are fully furnished with sheets, towels, etc. and the kitchens are stocked with basic pantry staples (oil, salt, pepper, etc), appliances (fridge, range with small oven, coffee maker), and cooking tools (pots, pans, cutting boards, knives, etc). If you have specific questions or facility needs please contact us at stonerootretreat@gmail.com.

Will you provide meals?

Residents are responsible for preparing their own meals.

Are the facilities accessible?

While we are committed to making our space accessible, the existing cabins precede our ownership and currently are not suitable for residents on wheelchairs. We hope to make the necessary modifications in order to accommodate them in the future. Please contact us at stonerootretreat@gmail.com if you have questions about accessibility.

Is there internet?

Yes. Each cabin has a network extender. For the best connection for network-intensive applications, such as zoom, you may want to use the library/lounge as it is closer to the modem/router.

Is there laundry?

Yes. The laundry equipment is in the basement of one of the cabins, so coordination will be necessary with whomever is staying at that cabin. We strive to conserve water, as it comes from a natural spring, but residents are welcome to do their own laundry including sheets and towels if needed during their stay. 

What if I get sick?

Stoneroot Retreat is a short drive away to an urgent care (MainStreet Family Care, 6 miles away) and a small hospital (Piedmont Hospital, 4 miles away), and there are at least 5 pharmacies within 6 miles (Huff’s Drug Store, 4 miles away). Additionally, you can find a few massage therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists in the area.

Our policies regarding Covid-19 are constantly evolving in compliance with guidelines set by the Department of Health and the CDC. For the care and safety of everyone involved with our program, as well as the greater community, we STRONGLY recommend that you be vaccinated before coming to Stoneroot. If you are feeling sick during your stay, please wear a mask and notify staff immediately. If you get sick before your residency, please notify us immediately and we’ll do our best to reschedule your stay.

Can I learn more about the history of the land?

The Appalachian Mountains are an ancient mountain range, much older than most other mountains in North America. About 1.1 billion years ago, the continents of Laurentia and Amazonia collided, creating the first mountains in the region. Around 480 million years ago, geologic processes began that led to the creation of much of the structure of the range that today constitutes the Appalachian Mountains. As such, these venerable mountains serve as home to some of the widest biodiversity in the continent.

Cherokee and Muscogee populations traditionally inhabited this land, and gave the name of Elatseyi to the village at the junction of the Cartecay and Ellijay rivers. The area was later colonized; Gilmer County was established in 1832 and Ellijay became the county seat two years later. The construction of a railroad in 1884 spurred a boom in the timber industry, and the later construction of a highway made it a popular spot among nature lovers. Over 60% of Gilmer County is public land, largely as part of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The plot of land where Stoneroot Retreat sits became the homestead of Essie and X Martin in the early 1900s. They used it as a cattle farm and built the original farmhouse, chicken coop, and barn. The farmhouse has been modified and updated through the years and is the main house in the property. The barn was turned into what is now Moonview cabin. The chicken coop is still here as the only intact original structure, though it is no longer predator-proof and will have to be taken down and turned into a new chicken coop eventually. In the early 2000s, two new owners built the two cabins and a couple of platforms, and turned into a bed-and-breakfast glamping spot often featured in local magazines, The Martyn House. It also was rented for events and offered farm-to-table dinners featuring local chefs, farms, and wineries. Willa and Bruno acquired it in 2022 to host fellowships for the Weavers Project, which ended in 2023. Stoneroot was established in 2024.

How do I apply for a residency?

Please visit our DIY Residency page and fill out the form. To stay up-to-date with open call announcements, join our mailing list (only occasional announcement emails—a couple of times a year)

Still have questions? Email us at stonerootretreat@gmail.com.