Uncommon Threads: Weaving Art, Community, and Experience Across the Map

Dear Friends, Artists, and Culture Seekers,

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an artist, a Long Island local, and the Director of Guest Culture and Experiences at Sound View Greenport, it’s that creativity thrives where community and curiosity intersect. That’s exactly what we’re building—one artist at a time—through the Uncommon Artist Residency. What started as an intimate, week-long artist retreat on the shores of Long Island Sound has grown into something much bigger: a movement, a family, and a testament to the idea that art doesn’t just belong in galleries—it belongs everywhere.

THE RESIDENCY THAT STARTED IT ALL

When we launched the Uncommon Artist Residency in 2018 at Sound View Greenport, the goal was simple: give artists the time and space to create while immersing them in the beauty and culture of the North Fork. Each year, we welcome up to ten artists—painters, poets, photographers, and visionaries of all kinds—offering them not just a room with a view, but an experience that encourages exploration, collaboration, and connection. Originally created by hotelier & art appreciator, Erik Warner, the residency has continued to grow and inspire.

Beyond the artists themselves, the residency has become a bridge between creativity and community. Artists engage with locals and guests through workshops, open studios, and intimate talks, sharing their process in ways that make art feel less like something to admire from a distance and more like something to be part of. Every residency leaves behind ripples—conversations started, new projects inspired, and an ongoing dialogue between artists and the people who encounter their work.

FROM GREENPORT TO JACKSON HOLE: A CREATIVE EXCHANGE

As we deepened our commitment to fostering artistic experiences, we knew Greenport couldn’t be the only place for this magic to happen. In 2020, we expanded westward, establishing a sister residency at Anvil Hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here, artists trade in water views for towering peaks, finding inspiration in the rugged, untamed beauty of the West. This cross-country creative exchange has allowed us to build something truly special—a network of artists who experience different landscapes, cultures, and histories, bringing those influences into their work and into our spaces.

GROWING THE UNCOMMON FAMILY NATIONWIDE

But why stop at two? Creativity, after all, isn’t meant to be contained. Our dream is to expand the Uncommon Artist Residency across all our hotels nationwide, cultivating a network of artistic sanctuaries that provide inspiration in every corner of the country. Imagine checking into a hotel where art isn’t just something hanging on the walls, but something you can engage with, witness in real time, and even be part of.

Whether it’s in a coastal retreat, a mountain escape, or an unexpected urban oasis, our vision is to make Uncommon a nationwide artist collective, where each residency leaves its imprint on the local community and enriches the experience of every guest who walks through our doors.

AN INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE THE UNCOMMON

If you’re an artist looking for a place to create, a traveler seeking a stay that feeds your soul, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of art, we invite you to join us. Come experience the Uncommon—not just as a residency, but as a way of seeing the world.

Art isn’t confined to studios. It belongs in conversations over morning coffee, in the rhythm of the tides, in the vastness of the mountains, and in the spaces where people come together to experience something meaningful. That’s what we’re building. That’s what we’re growing. And we can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

With creativity and gratitude,

Kara Hoblin
Director of Guest Culture and Experiences, Sound View Greenport