Art Residency & Sanctuary at a beach Villa in Pelješac /Croatia

About The Residency

Take time for yourself, plug off, recharge, and find inspiration in the culture of Pelješac Peninsula.

Be inspired by the wind, the sea, and the smells of organic herbs to be found in the surrounding natural habitat. 

Experience the breathtaking beauty of spectacular views on the island of Korčula from Villa Leila house, located amidst of majestic grandeur of the Dalmatian Islands.

Our Artist Residency Program offers local and international artists the opportunity to live in an old house by the sea, for your preferred period of time (residency space is open between mid-November - the mid May 2023), and for a space of dedicated creative work.

We welcome artists with a particular interest in nature, mythology, local culture, and fantasy; in the cultural realities of Dalmatia; and/or in the particular local experience of Pelješac. Artists could be seeking to work in drawing, painting, sculpture, writing, dance,  performance, land art, photography, or other art forms.

The beauty and serenity of Pelješac will support artists in imagining, and developing unique works of art; as they gather inspiration both from the natural surroundings, as well as from the local community. Also if you are burnt out from the constant pressure of producing art, you are kindly welcome to do nothing, because nothing is the beginning of everything.

Our belief is that art is wonderfully beneficial for the advancement of healing.

Our Vision is to offer unique and authentic experiences, always committed to nature and to the healing potentials of art, hoping that as our clients follow their journeys, they will disperse the seeds of the benefits of nature & healing arts consciousness around the world.

Artist Studios

Selected artists will have 24-hour access to working studios on 2 outside open terraces and one with a roof, plus a garage and a garden. The terraces have a spectacular & scenic view of the neighboring island of Korčula. 

Technicalities: 

The house (2 living area floors, 1 floor with gardens and terrace) is located 50 meters away from the public beach and has three double bedrooms upstairs. In each bedroom can be one person or a couple. There are two sleeping matrasses to be put on the floor in the living room and kitchen downstairs as well if some of you don’t care about having your own privacy. Also a nice option for the artistic group that knows each other and is ready to collaborate. You will share 2 bathrooms, kitchen and living room. The house also has 3 big (approx 25m2) outside open terraces that can be used as a working studio, garage, and garden. The house doesn’t have a proper heating system, and the heating is on electrical radiators (more expensive), but temperatures in winter in Pelješac usually don’t drop under 5 degrees celsius at night. Also, it is an old house, so don’t expect luxury, but rather be patient if something comes up to be fixed. We love wild & adventurous but also responsible,  handy, and practical people. 

Contribution:

We expect you to cover the participation fee of 1250 euros/ month. You can divide this fee among other fellow artists participants. The more of you there are, the lower is your participation fee. If you come for less than a month, we will calculate the costs accordingly. 

SUGGESTED TOPICS (just few ideas, but we have no expectations for you to follow them):

• for dancers: a place to recharge body, mind and spirit and perhaps to play & explore site-specific dance and videos 
• painters and sculptors inspired by Pelješac peninsula and surrounding nature, people, culture  
• a house as a living entity with all its invisible spirits, horrors, guardian angels, historic stories, ancestral lineage, or anything imaginative around the concept of the “house” itself
• photographs of the house, nature around, surroundings, people, portraits of villagers, etc. / whatever fascinates you in local area as artist
• mythology: specifically Greek Gods & Goddesses or if you are interested to research Slavic mythology of the region and create cards, paintings, sculptures on this topic etc. 
• you can create something in the gardens around the house: f.e.: zen garden, labyrinth, mandala etc.     
• if you are a musician, you can play with some nature sounds or create/recreate some sacred songs that honor nature
• etc.