Life at BMC
“I quickly found myself being as productive as I’ve ever been. And it was the best kind of productivity, too: the relaxed, fulfilling kind—not the over-caffeinated, deadline-driven, better-get-this-done-quick kind. The idyllic setting, the stimulating conversation of interesting writers and artists (who shared ideas and techniques), and above all the extended time away from the pressures of ‘normal life’ proved remarkably conducive to good writing.”
A view of residents working in BMC’s boathouse.
Blue Mountain Center is located in a turn-of-the-century Adirondack lodge on a 1,600-acre estate. Life at BMC is centers around our guests’ work, rejuvenation, and our communal life. The atmosphere is informal, cooperative, and curious. Since 1982, guests have gathered here in northeastern New York to work, converse, and find rest in a peaceful, supportive community.
Community
Blue Mountain Center’s foremost concern is creating a community in which our guests can reconnect with their work and find rest in a dynamic and inspiring community. Our community guidelines, sent out before each session, are one way we set our expectations for our guests. We are committed remaining open, adaptive, and responsive to our guests needs – whether that be an addition to the community guidelines, an adjustment to dinner, or doing our best to respond to your access needs. Residents also have multiple opportunities to pitch in and help with the life of the center. We appreciate when residents assist our small, hard-working staff in the garden, kitchen, and around the grounds.
Lodgings and Workspaces
Each guest stays in a room in either the “Clubhouse”, a late 19th-century clubhouse built by Adirondack Great Camp architect William West Durant, or the “Grey Cottage”, once the summer home of Harold K. Hochschild, a historian and founder of the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.
Writers stay in individual bedrooms that double as studios. Visual artists and composers are assigned studios a short walk from their bedrooms. Many residents choose to work outside or in common spaces, which include our Library, Clubhouse Living Room, Clubhouse or Grey Cottage porches, garden, dock, and more. We generally encourage a quiet environment for most of the day. Linens and laundry facilities are provided on site.
Our art studios are converted from an old barn, and are spacious rooms with a height of roughly 8-9 feet, with multiple tables and chairs. There are sinks in each studio, and each studio has a small cabinet stocked with basic items like extra lights, tacks, smocks, and rags. We have a small art storage room with scrap materials left behind from previous residents, drop cloths, glass jars for paint water, butcher paper, and several easels. There are a few images in the carousel below. Artists generally bring their own equipment and tools.
Our composer’s studio is in the back of the Grey Cottage. The studio includes a Steinway upright piano and a Yamaha Grand piano, as well as some other equipment: Technics stereo amplifier and speakers, M-Audio Key Rig Midi Keyboard, and a ViewSonic 20” LCD computer monitor. An image of the composer’s studio is available in the carousel below.
Meals
The food at BMC is simple, wholesome and often focused around seasonal ingredients. We gather together at the dining room table for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are served for an hour each, and guests are welcome to enjoy them any time during the hour. Snacks, cookies, and leftovers are available any time. Guests are invited to help with clean up, and occasionally other simple kitchen duties! Dietary restrictions are accommodated upon request.
Cell Phones & Internet
Cell phones are not allowed at Blue Mountain Center during our Residency Program (for reflections on our Cell Phone policy by a former resident, go here). We have a phone booth with unlimited long distance calling and a small Internet center with one public computer and ethernet cables / adapters for getting personal laptops online.
There is no Wi-Fi at Blue Mountain Center. The phone booth and internet center are available 24 hours a day. Family members and loved ones may call our office phone (518-352-7391) at any time in the event of an emergency. Video calls can be made by request.
Outdoors & Recreation
Blue Mountain Center is located within the Adirondack Park, the largest state park in the continental United States. Residents have access to over twenty miles of beautiful hiking trails. Four canoes and a rowboat are available for guest use.
The amenities — tennis court, canoes, lakefront access, and hiking trails — together with the surrounding wilderness, promise even the most diligent worker diversion and relaxation.
Beyond Blue Mountain Center
Blue Mountain Center is located in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, a hamlet of fewer than 100 permanent residents. Carpools to the Adirondack Museum (10-minute drive), the Indian Lake Theater (20-minute drive), and other sites of interest are often organized by staff and residents. Recently, BMC has become more involved in our surrounding communities with our Hamilton Helps project.
