A multi-disciplinary creative retreat hosted by the town of Seaside, Florida since 1993.

Escape to Create (E2C) is a volunteer managed non-profit organization that represents the character of a community deeply invested in the arts.  2023 residencies are made possible through the boundless philanthropy of Seaside homeowner patrons and a generous grant from Seaside's Merchant Council and the Seaside Arts & Entertainment Corporation. Every contribution directly supports our residencies, educational outreach and cultural programming. 

RESIDENCY

Escape to Create is a cultural leader of a town founded on transformational ideas.  We are thrilled to welcome eleven multi-disciplinary innovators for our 30th Season into Seaside’s uniquely enriching environment. We hope you will join us in supporting the genre-defining works of our artists, writers, and musicians and celebrate their many contributions to our community. Escape to Create has gained national recognition for its impact in the region and in the creative lives of our alums. Over 200 writers, musicians, visual artists, and scholars have been awarded a month-long retreat as emerging and mid-career artists. E2C Alumni include nominees and recipients of our nation’s highest awards including Pulitzer and Pushcart Prizes; National Book Award; American Academy of Arts & Letters; The American Academy in Rome; ASCAP Awards; Aaron Copeland Award; Guggenheim Foundation; James Beard Award, Grammy Award and many more. We are honored to have furthered their creative work and celebrate their ongoing contributions to the arts.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Escape to Create, Inc. is a volunteer organization and a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.

D I R E C T O R S E M E R I T U S

Nancy Holmes, Founding Director of Escape to Create

Richard Storm, Former Executive Director of The Seaside Institute

E X E C U T I V E B O A R D

Marsha Dowler, President

Karen Holland, Vice-President

Sue Trucksess, Secretary

Cathy Toole, Treasurer

A D V I S O R Y B O A R D

Julia Eisenberg, Head of CRM, SQUARESPACE

Brook Stetler, Executive Director, The REP Theatre in Seaside

Kim Mixson, Principal, Seaside Neighborhood School