Applications will be accepted from February 1 – 28th, with residents announced by March 8th.
The Trailer Blaze Comics Residency takes place at The Sou’Wester Lodge and Vintage Trailer Park in Seaview, WA, April 13-18th, 2025. The Sou’Wester has a rich tradition of supporting artists and musicians and we are excited to be one of their partners.
Applicants must have a specific project to work on during the residency. Successful applicants will provide a clear description of the project (see below). Each year’s cohort is different, made up of a small group of returning alumni who serve as mentors, invited established artists and new residents. Our selection process is based on the strength of individual applications, as well as an intention to bring together comics artists who represent varying experiences, styles, and backgrounds.
This residency is women-centered. We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and we welcome trans women, genderqueer, and those who are non-binary.
Because of our fundraising efforts, this year’s residency fees [5 nights of lodging] are waived. However, residents are responsible for their travel to/from Seattle, and must arrive in time* for the carpool to The Sou’Wester.
Residents will stay in their own renovated Airstream trailer or a spacious Lodge room. Both have a bedroom, bathroom**, kitchen, and sitting room with desk or table. We will try to accommodate your preferences, but you may be asked to compromise.
Residents are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks, but each evening all residents convene for a group dinner. You will be partnered with 1-2 other resident(s) to prepare 1 of the 4 group dinners.
Your day is your own but it is assumed that you will commit to making major progress on the project you describe in your application. Most residents will work all day, with periodic breaks for walking or biking along the beach, reading in a hammock, sitting in the sauna, or taking in some of the numerous attractions in Seaview.
We will arrange several opportunities for you to show and receive feedback on your work. These sharing sessions are completely optional, but previous residents have expressed how valuable these sessions have been.
If you are a person who needs 5-star accommodations, this residency is not for you. April is often cold and rainy. The accommodations can sometimes be a little musty or moist (though they are always clean). But if you are on board for a true Pacific Northwest experience, and you are chill and go-with-the-flow, please apply!
Send application via email to short.run.info@gmail.com with “Trailer Blaze 2025” in the subject line. Your application consists of:
- 5-10 recent work samples that reflect the aesthetic of the project. Send direct links to work on your website or send a file sharing link (Dropbox or Google Drive) to your images. Images should be under 2 MB each.
- A 1 paragraph artist bio that answers the question, “Who are you?” Please include your city/state/country.
- A project description (up to 1 page) that includes:
- brief synopsis of the project
- anticipated # of pages
- timeline for the project
- any additional info that will help us envision your project
- what you hope to gain from a week-long residency
*Clarification of YOUR costs: airfare (or bus, train) to Seattle (resident MUST arrive in time for the carpool that leaves Sunday at 11 am); food (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and the cost of ½ – ⅓ of one group meal for 12-14 people, you pay for one group meal but get 4 in return!); mass transit while in Seattle (light rail, bus, cabs). Depending on the flights you are able to book, you might need to stay the night in Seattle the Saturday before we leave. If this is the case, we will try our best to find you lodging with a local artist or find you a discounted hotel room. Give us as much notice as possible please.
**A few trailers have a toilet and sink, but no shower. The Sou’Wester has 2 private shower rooms on the grounds, plus a shower in the sauna room, so there are plenty of places to shower (if that’s your thing!).
We welcome your questions at short.run.info@gmail.com. Also please take a look at our website for posts from Trailer Blazes past.