THE SANDBOX

Play. Create. Imagine.

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A Desert Awakening

Where creativity finds its home

The Story of Al Sierra

In 2017, New York playwright Al Sierra embarked on a road trip that would forever change the trajectory of his creative life. Somewhere between the chaos of the city and the vast openness of the California desert, he discovered Joshua Tree.

What began as a search for peace and clarity became a profound love affair with the landscape—the ancient Joshua trees, the endless sky, the silence that speaks volumes. Al found himself returning again and again, drawn by something he couldn't quite name but deeply understood.

The Sandbox was born from this connection—a space where artists could experience the same transformation, where creativity could flourish in the embrace of the desert's timeless beauty.

Play

Rediscover the joy of creative exploration without boundaries or expectations.

Create

Transform inspiration into art within the nurturing embrace of the desert.

Imagine

Let the vast landscape expand your vision and redefine what's possible.

About

A sanctuary for artists in the heart of the desert

Design Excellence

Our primary residence was thoughtfully designed by the acclaimed architectural firm Brayton and Birks, whose visionary approach perfectly captures the spirit of The Sandbox. In recognition of their exceptional work and shared creative philosophy, Brayton and Birks were honored as our inaugural artists in residence.

Their design seamlessly integrates with the Joshua Tree landscape, creating spaces that blur the boundaries between interior sanctuary and desert wilderness—a physical manifestation of our belief that great art emerges from deep connection with place.

Our Vision

The Sandbox is more than an artist residency—it's a return to the essential. Inspired by legendary programs like MacDowell, we've created an intimate retreat where artists can disconnect from the noise of daily life and reconnect with their deepest creative impulses.

The Philosophy

We believe that great art requires five essential elements:

Space — Physical and mental room to explore without constraint
Time — Uninterrupted periods for deep creative work
Connection — To nature, to oneself, and to a community of fellow artists
Support — The resources and environment needed to take creative risks
Inspiration — The raw beauty of Joshua Tree's landscape

The Experience

At The Sandbox, artists work in private studios with full amenities, share communal meals, and gather for optional evening salons. The desert becomes both muse and collaborator, its stark beauty and profound silence creating the perfect conditions for breakthrough work.

Private Studios

Dedicated workspace with natural light, desert views, and all the amenities you need.

Communal Living

Shared meals and gathering spaces foster connection and creative exchange.

Desert Immersion

Direct access to Joshua Tree's trails, rocks, and transformative landscapes.

Residency

Join our creative community

Four artists. Eleven days in Joshua Tree.
The inaugural cohort of The Sandbox — July 30 through August 9, 2026.

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Karina Billini

Playwright & Poet

Brooklyn, NY

Karina Billini is a Dominican-American playwright, poet, and educator from Brooklyn. A recent graduate of Juilliard's Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program, she is a proud alum of the Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group, New Harmony Project Conference, Ensemble Studio Theatre's Youngblood, Pipeline PlayLab, and Gingold Theatrical Group's Speakers' Corner. Her plays have been workshopped and produced at La Jolla Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Teatro Vivo. Her play Apple Bottom received the EST/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation commission. She holds an MFA in Playwriting from the New School and a BA from Marymount Manhattan College. Through poetic language and NYC imagery, Billini captures the limitless hope, fierce perseverance, and quiet loneliness of first-generation, working-class, POC communities.

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Charles Chaisson

Painter

Arnaudville, LA

Charles Chaisson is an artist and New Orleans native residing in Arnaudville, Louisiana. His abstract paintings delve into the world of psychosoma, language, and perception. Charles studied at NOCCA|Riverfront, St. Augustine High School, The Ringling College of Art & Design, and SVA in New York. Over sixteen years of freelance illustration work, he became an adjunct professor at RISD before returning home to Louisiana to be near family. Since then, Charles has become a board member for Common Ground Relief, a New Orleans-based nonprofit focused on coastal regeneration and community aid. He also founded Levity, a nonprofit focused on designing systems to meet human needs in ecologically harmonious ways.

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Gloria Oladipo

Playwright & Journalist

New York (from Chicago)

Gloria Oladipo is a playwright based in New York, proudly from Chicago. She writes Black comedies about Black families who are generationally unhappy, who do not know how to love each other, but do the very best they can. She is a Public Theater Emerging Writers Group Fellow, a Velvetpark Writers Fellow, and the 2024 recipient of the Dramatists Guild Foundation Thom Thomas Award. Her work has been developed at New York Stage and Film, the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and Boston Court Pasadena. Gloria is also a cultural critic and journalist — formerly a race and equity reporter at the Guardian US, and the 2023 recipient of the ATCA Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Guardian. BA from Cornell; MFA in Playwriting from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

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Ambe J. Williams

Photographer & Director

Brooklyn, NY

Ambe J. Williams is a self-taught portrait and commercial photographer based in Brooklyn. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from the University of the Arts, and everything she learned in her decade-long experience as an actor directly influences her approach to photography — how she directs performances through the lens, capturing moments of humor and humanity. Recently signed to Great Friends Agency for commercial representation, her directorial debut Circle of Shame premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival and won the Audience Favorite award for Best US Short. Select clients include UMG Verve, Audible, The Lincoln Center, Viiv Healthcare, Novo Nordisk, and Banana Republic. Whether creating work for campaigns, key art, or editorial publications, her images carry a motif that evokes softness, depth, and joy.

Program Details

The Sandbox offers focused residencies for writers, visual artists, composers, and multidisciplinary creators. Each session accommodates a small cohort to ensure personal attention and meaningful connections.

2-4 week residencies
Private studio space
Accommodation and meals included
Access to equipment and materials
Optional critiques and presentations
Community of fellow artists
Surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park

Winter Session

January — March
Applications open September 1

Spring / Summer

April — August
Applications open December 1

Support Future Artists

The Sandbox is currently raising development funds to support future artists and expand our residency program. Your contribution helps us create more opportunities for artists to thrive in this inspiring desert landscape.

Every donation directly supports artist stipends, studio improvements, and program accessibility. Together, we can build a sustainable creative community that nurtures artistic excellence for generations to come.

Applications Closed

We have completed selections for this cycle.

Apply Now

Begin your creative journey at The Sandbox

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Artistic Discipline

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Preferred Session

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Statement of Intent

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Carry the spirit of the desert with you

Shipping: Flat rate $10 · U.S. orders only · After payment, reply to your PayPal receipt with your size and shipping address.

Patches

$10 + $10 shipping (US only)

Hand-crafted embroidered patches celebrating creativity and adventure. Inspired by the spirit of exploration, each patch represents a milestone in your creative journey. Perfect for jackets, bags, or your studio wall. 3" diameter.

Pay with PayPal — $10

After paying, reply to your PayPal receipt with your shipping address.

Sweatshirt

$120 + $10 shipping (US only)

Premium heavyweight cotton sweatshirt in desert sand. Featuring our embossed “THE SANDBOX — JOSHUA TREE, CALIFORNIA — EST. 2023” design. Perfectly oversized for studio comfort and desert nights. Unisex sizing.

Pay with PayPal — $120

After paying, reply to your PayPal receipt with your size and shipping address.