Red House Residency

Elena Maza Borkland 

Elena was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the U.S. in 1961 as a result of Castro=s revolution, living in New Mexico with a foster family until her own family was able to leave. A resident of the Washington area since then, she studied architecture at Catholic University, gaining her first exposure to the arts working at Walter Hopps’ Washington Gallery of Modern Art. She started painting in 1970 and studied at the Corcoran School of Art. Elena studied botanical art at Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration and earned a Certificate in 2015. After retiring from work as an engineering design professional, she is currently a full-time artist and teaches botanical art. She and her husband Herb, a writer, live in Front Royal, VA area.

Sometimes the local art news isn’t about BCAA activities. Here, we highlight a creative initiative from one of our members. 

Last year, BCAA member Amanda McGuire of Sycamore Bend Farm in Millboro established the Red House Residency, a two-week artist’s retreat with accommodations at a cottage on her property. Amanda created this residency, offered solely to women in the arts, to provide an opportunity for visual artists and writers to focus on their artwork while experiencing Bath County at her beautiful farm along the Cowpasture River.

The first Red House resident for this summer, Elena Borkland, arrives for her two-week stay in late May. (Take a look at her impressive biography) As part of her residency, Elena will be offering a free outdoor workshop in watercolor landscapes for participants at any level. Amanda will let us know when she sets the workshop date.

For more information about the Red House Residency, visit: http://www.sycamorebendonthecowpasture.com/red-house-residency.html