Bound By SPACE
At first sight, Ryder Farm appears as most do in the state of New York. Garden vegetables, herbs and flowers dot the 126-acre landscape with ponds, trails and rundown farmhouses filling in the gaps.
Between the months of July and October, however, the organic farm on 404 Starr Ridge Road in Brewster welcomes new life to inhabit its rocky soil and rolling terrain. With the help of its scenic atmosphere and contained solitude, Ryder Farm serves as a workshop for artists looking to escape the normal hustle and bustle of New York City life.
Known by producers, actors, writers and other artists of various disciplines as “SPACE” on Ryder Farm, the nonprofit aims at providing those looking to perfect their craft an alternative workspace to the confines of the big city. Executive director Emily Ryder Simoness, a Brooklyn-based artist and seventh generation Ryder, said her initial mission was to offer a “home away from home” by giving artists an open workshop to do what they do best—create.
“I thought about how could I create the best cocktail, basically, for artists to create,” Simoness said. “The idea is to give artists a different kind of workshop that’s just surrounded by beautiful, beautiful farmland.”
Though the land had been in her family for 216 years, Simoness was born in Minnesota and hadn’t gotten the chance to visit her roots at Ryder Farm until early 2009. The 27-year-old Apple Valley native remembers being “blown away” by the stunning scenery and openness that had eluded her for such a long time. She immediately knew she wanted to share it with those around her—hence, the concept for SPACE was born.
After a year of getting the proper paperwork in order and renovating some of the land’s infrastructure, Simoness was able to open the doors to Mother Nature’s workshop for the 2010 summer and fall seasons.
“SPACE not only serves as a workspace, but as a retreat, too,” Simoness said. “Artists can get away from the busyness of urban life.”
Whether it’s developing a particular script or shooting scenes for a short movie, an array of artists from different crafts grace the grounds of Ryder Farm to work on projects. At any given time throughout the season, up to 10 producers, playwrights, actors or singers can be found inside the Corncrib, a multipurpose office, or the Sycamores, the Ryder family’s original homestead.
Though the guests aren’t necessarily obligated to help, Simoness said artists maintain the land and cultivate produce to be sold at farm stands like the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City and the Brewster Farmers Market at 208 Main St.
“It’s not mandatory, but no one has a problem with it,” Simoness said. “It’s about giving back to Ryder Farm by enlivening the viability of it.”
Visiting artists pay a small, daily fee of $35 for the first day and $20 for each day after to pay for food and housing during their stay. The fee also covers the cost of a facilitator, who helps to fulfill a resident’s creative journey throughout their time at SPACE.
The organization also offers three five-day, fully-funded fellowships that are fulfilled through an application process. The 2011 season has attracted more than 100 different artists working towards the success of 30 different projects—from memoirs like “1,000 Boomerangs” by Laurel Holland to plays like “Loco Lahi in a White White House” by Larkin Clark, SPACE has brought some of New York City’s finest emerging artists to Brewster.
“It’s been amazing to see how SPACE has developed over the last year or so,” Simoness said.
While the nonprofit focuses on housing and fostering creative minds from New York City, Simoness hopes that SPACE’s presence will extend farther into Putnam County, the place that has given a home to her vision, creativity and community.
“We really want Brewster and the county to be a part of this experience,” Simoness said. “We want people to know what’re doing with SPACE and get them involved with this project, too.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.