Caryatis Farm is an artists’ retreat in rural Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Less than an hour north of Milwaukee, and only 2 hours from Chicago, we are your perfect refuge from the distractions of everyday life. Focus on your creative work and let us take care of the rest!
 

What’s in a Name?

We are named for The Empress, the massive shagbark hickory that stands in the field in front of the house. Her Latin name, Carya Ovata comes from the ancient Greek village of Karyai, renowned for its nut orchards and for the Temple of Artemis, located there. The priestesses of the temple – reputed to be particularly tall, strong, and Beautiful women – were called the Karyatidai and were the inspiration for The Caryatids, the six statues supporting the roof of The Erechtheion in Athens. When we first laid eyes on the Empress, she stood so tall and majestic over the fallow farmland that she looked like a natural Caryatid, holding up the sky.
 

Who Are We?

Food may nourish the Body, but Art nourishes the Soul. As artists ourselves, we feel this deeply. Alayne is a writer, poet and college professor, and Tony is a woodworker. We’ve been together since 2000, and for as long as we can remember, we have wanted to provide a place where other artists can step out of the pace of modern life and turn their focus to the creative process. Located on land that was once part of a 19th century dairy farm, we are unlike any farm you’ve ever seen. A place that uses the peace, open space, fresh air, and abundant natural surroundings not to grow crops and livestock, but Beautiful works and experiences. We are striving to build a community of artists across all disciplines – a collaborative artistic family that support and inspire each other to create. A family that thinks of our little patch of farmland as their artistic home away from home. This place, and what we do here, are a labor of love for us, and we cannot wait to share it with you!

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-Alayne and Tony Peterson