For most residents the colony means a few weeks or months of solitary days in one of the 32 isolated studios shielded from one another by acres of woods, punctuated by breakfasts and dinners in the central hall along with the other writers, composers, architects, filmmakers and visual artists.
Historically, the discipline of a dancer's working life has kept them relatively isolated within the studio or theatre.
"A big part of that video is being isolated in your studio and looking out on the city," Mr. Gartenfeld said.
"You're exposed to people who are isolated in their studios," says Ms Heebner.
When she moved to Hyde Park five years ago, Ms. Schaeffer said: "I was looking for a community of artists, not isolated in their studios.
Then it's up to the NY1 Rail and Road Studio, an isolated room down a hall and up a staircase, with bright green walls, thick dark shades that block the sun after dawn and a dozen screens showing various channels and maps.
Scottish Atlantic Salmon (Salmo solar) whole, isolated on a white studio background.
