Artist Residency Reviews

I was lucky enough to be part of Ma Umi residencies in Ishigaki, during February and March of 2026, for a total of four weeks. The living studio is beautifully decorated, and well kept, and the land on its own is incredibly inspiring and full of resonance. I was introduced to key places for my research around underwater cables and oceanic timing, as well as people from the island. I was lead to museums and cultural centers, shown works tailored to my research. Both Val and Fu were incredible helpful and fun, and really value the specificity of the island, going to local shops and restaurants, which convey how ethically embedded they are with the place. This allows for the guests to be able to engage in a very careful and thoughtful manner with the people and histories of Ishigaki and neighboring islands, such as Taketomi island. I would recommend driving and renting a car to go around the island, since public transportation is a bit tricky as in most islands. My stay has prompted me to go back to continue the research, and Ma Umi residencies is a very welcoming space, silent when needed and always full of life.

I stayed at Delfina last summer and highly recommend it. It’s important to note that this is not a production-based residency; while there are no private studios, you have the opportunity to present your work or research in an Open Studio at the end of the program. The core focus here is networking. You’ll connect with a wide range of professionals, including gallerists, curators, and collectors. If you are focused on a specific research topic, the team can even facilitate and fund meetings with relevant academics. Because the program requires you to present your work frequently, it forces you to refine your artistic discourse—a process that led to significant professional growth for me. The team is exceptionally kind, supportive, and dedicated.

Truly an amazing experience—the best I’ve had. The only "problem" is that the environment is so stunning that it can be difficult to maintain a rigid studio schedule; the beauty of the Château is a constant, wonderful distraction. Additionally, four weeks feels far too short to fully absorb everything the site has to offer. While LNAF is incredibly generous—providing a stipend, room, and many meals—you should still plan for the personal investment of travel and specialized materials. Despite those costs, the rewards of the residency are incomparable.

My time at Sachaqa has been transformative, inspiring, turturing and deeply freeing. Living off-grid in the lush jungle of San Roque de Cumbaza offered a fertile opportunity to slow down, reconnect with my self and my creative practice. Experience the spirit of a place where land, human beings and materials are profoundly intertwined. For three weeks I dedicated my self to natural pigments, basket and ceramics. What touched me deeper has been weaving relationships with the local communities, learning from their hands, hearts and ways. Sitting and walking, harvesting and preparing clan and fibers with Petrona and Don Angel. Witness their hands at work, hearing their stories, feeling their connection with Land. These exchanges were rich, humble, full of wisdom, a sweet reminder that crafts and life are rooted in connection and relation. Trina, the heart and spirit of Sachaqa, holds space with her sensitive and intuitive, yet strong nature. Her grounded and laid-back presence, creates an atmosphere where things unfold naturally. Through subtle insight, quiet strenght and a very special way of looking into another artist she is able to support one manifesting visions and projects. Trina's long woven relationship with the local communities offers a fertile ground , allowing for authentic and respectful exchange/meeting. Her are and respect for the people and culture of the area shapes every aspect of the Sachaqa. This place found home in my heart. Un lugar a donde entregarse. I amfilled with reverence and gratitude for the time lived in San Roque and for Sachaqa's holding through the journey. I left soul-nourished.

If you are an artist that is disciplined and wants to work towards refining your practice, the resources available will definitely help you reach your potential. You must be ready to know what you want to gain from this program to be able to fully take advantage of the opportunity. Franca Marini has completely changed the way I approach paintings, and I could not be more grateful for all of Lisa Nonken’s support. Another very warm thank you to Valeria, who has been an exceptional and patient teacher for our Italian classes.

SIM is one of the best places to be creative and feel free. The way SIM operates and builds community is another level, which I really appreciate. I hope many artists can experience this.

Spending a month and a half at the Sachaqa Centro de Arte in the heart of Peru was a deeply enriching and transformative experience. My time there was dedicated to ecosomatic research, where I explored the medicinal plants native to the region and immersed myself in the flora and ancestral traditions of shamanic practices—all to inform and inspire my dance-based creative process. The residency offered a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world in an intentional and embodied way. The environment itself is breathtaking—surrounded by lush jungle, vibrant biodiversity, and a palpable sense of spirit and tradition that flows through the land. One of the most meaningful aspects of my stay was the guidance and support of Trina, the host of the residency. Through her generous network, intuitive understanding, and deep respect for local culture, she facilitated invaluable connections that shaped my research and allowed me to experience the richness of the region in an authentic and respectful way. Sachaqa is not just a space to create—it's a place to listen, to learn, and to grow both artistically and personally. I left with a deeper awareness of the interrelationship between body, plant, and place, and with an expanded creative vision that will resonate in my work for years to come. I am truly grateful for this residency and would wholeheartedly recommend it to any artist seeking a grounded, immersive, and soul-nourishing experience.

I have participated in two retreats at Villa Capri, and each time it was an immersive, dreamy, trippy, creative, and funny experience. If you’re someone like me who loves authenticity, weirdness, and being surprised, then maybe this place is for you too. Set in the beautiful countryside of Mallorca, away from the effervescence of the city, it truly felt like a real retreat. The beautiful souls I shared this adventure with all brought something unique to our little household. We cried, we laughed, we danced, and we sang. I witnessed how much creativity and artistic minds can bring into life, and it was deeply inspiring. Lorena is passionate, raw, utopian, and a true free spirit. That is such a rare quality to have, and it inspires others to let go of the control imposed by this overly stressful, demanding, “you always have to be productive” kind of life. I can’t wait to reunite with this community. Mallorca has been a heart-opener, and I know there are more creative adventures to come.

I spent around 10 days at Villa Capri, and it was a deeply inspiring and nurturing experience. The residency is beautifully located, with easy access (by car) to stunning beaches and nature, making it the perfect setting to slow down and reconnect creatively. What made it truly special, though, was the group dynamic. I was surrounded by an incredible circle of creative women, and together we explored themes of femininity, safety, and expression. There was something powerful about sharing space with others who genuinely supported one another—it created an environment where ideas flowed naturally and creativity felt effortless. Our days were filled with meaningful experiences: painting in the forest, experimenting with food as an artistic and sensory practice, and grounding ourselves through yoga and oracle card sessions to align intentions. Each activity felt intentional and enriching. Lorena is an exceptional host. She not only introduced us to some of the most magical spots on the island, but also offered constant encouragement and inspiration. Her presence reminded me to trust myself, pursue my dreams, and stay connected to my creative path. This residency is more than just a place—it’s an experience of connection, inspiration, and personal growth that I will carry with me.

There’s a natural sense of community that forms, when you share a home for weeks, sharing meals, conversations, shared moments, and creating together. It created a space where I could step out of the pressure of productivity and reconnect with a more intuitive way of working. The residency I joined was mostly self-led, which gives you the freedom to shape your days at your own rhythm. It works best if you’re willing to take initiative and engage with what’s around you. I would suggest arriving with a defined idea, but also staying flexible and receptive to what emerges through the process and the people you meet. It was sweet to meet the local art scene in the open doors day. Everyone was really supportive. Looking forward to return.

Stepping into Sachaqa was an expansive experience for me as an artist. The magic and mystery of the Amazon rainforest is ever-present here, and Trina is an incredible connector – of people, plants, spirits, and beyond. She was a gracious host, nurturing my creativity and introducing me to my teachers in San Roque. I am so grateful to her and the community for welcoming me and being a source of inspiration. I highly recommend this residency to any artists who are excited about being immersed in nature and Amazonian whimsy. The opportunity to be in a community like this one is priceless, and I already want to return!

Spending time at Sachaca was a journey outside of my usual life and routine as well as a reconnecting with some of my core ways of being. Going to a village in the jungle from the hustle of New York City was a welcome change. I loved meeting the other artists that I shared time with at Sachaca and members of the village and surrounding community. I learned so much from these connections! Though much was new and unknown to me, being able to move through my days at Sachaca in a less scheduled way allowed me to better feel and act on what I needed from the experience- time and space to explore, reflect, and create. Being there felt like a return to myself. I really appreciate how Trina supported this process with logistical support, facilitating learning opportunities, like ceramics with Patrona and hiking in the area. We had plenty of interesting conversations along the way as well! Even as time seemed to move more slowly than usual, I did so many things and was able to make a lot of new work. I grew ideas that I arrived with and discovered new threads to follow. I’ll be unpacking this experience for some time to come!

Benefits: Amazing network and connections. Warm support from the team! Challenges: It's a comfortable private studio/accommodation (in the mezzanine area), but the team uses the shared kitchen/meeting area (not the mezzanine) as their office during the weekdays/day time, which can be a bit challenging if you need those working hours to be your own private working hours in the space. But for me, it worked nicely as I felt I was well supported with the regular visits, and also the team gave me space when I absolutely needed to have the space to myself alone even during the business hours. Practical advice: Have a site-specific project as it's a super special place. And ask for help! Make new friends. Local artists in Paris in Montparnasse are super helpful and kind. Costs vs. gains: The payment is not low, but you get a lot! Especially during the busy art week seasons in Paris! So many visitors you will get to your studio to present your practice!

I was part of the summer 2025 cohort. I do not think any of my fellow artists would recommend Oreum residency to other artists. While the website and marketing may seem nice, the actual residency was far beyond disappointing. The people running the program speak as if they will support the artists, provide opportunities, send emails in a timely manner, and follow through on their words. This was certainly not what happened for us. There were red flags from early on but they seemed nice enough to overlook. For example, they would promise to send some info over in a week but weeks or even months would pass and then they would write to us, sometimes only after further follow up, and tell us to get back to them in a day or two. There were so many moments where we were misled. After some looking into things, we learned that the gallery we were told we would exhibit at didn't even have an official contract signed. At one point, we were told the gallery had gone through renovation so we would have to take taxis over to measure all of the spaces ourselves. When we arrived we found that the gallery was exactly as it was when we had first visited weeks prior. These are only a few examples. After weeks of shirked responsibilities and delays, the exhibition was unilaterally cancelled less than one week before the final opening date by the people running the program even after asking us to make all sorts of accommodations for it. We had left our artwork behind in Jeju without insurance or anyone staying there to and were waiting for it to be shipped to us in whatever condition and whatever timeline. Again, these are only a few examples. It would take too long to write a full account of all the frustrating moments of this without triggering myself again. Some of us considered taking legal action. Hopefully cedar Hill and disilence and any other groups partnering with Oreum are aware of the mismanagement and verbal manipulation a little bit with this review. Running a residency is not a simple task and artists' time, resources and funds should not be used in such ways. Jeju is beautiful, but I believe you are better off renting your own stay and doing art there rather than doing this program.

Mallorca is a special place — yes, that’s a fact. Villa Capri boasts magnificent grounds: expansive space, a vegetable garden, nature all around, light-filled rooms, disconnection, rest, beautiful décor, exquisite taste, and every comfort you could possibly need during your stay. But do you know who truly gives it soul and makes everything come together? Lorena. Lorena is Villa Capri — a generous, creative, dreamy, attentive, and entrepreneurial soul who made the stay worthy of the finest resort. I leave with a full heart after sharing these experiences. This is my fourth year being part of the residencies, and I have nothing but words of gratitude. I will return soon to live another deeply healing experience in every sense.

Spending 2 weeks at Villa Capri was a highly enriching experience, both artistically and personally. The space itself is truly special, full of character, and so peaceful. It creates the right conditions for focus and experimentation. What stayed with me most was the atmosphere. It felt safe, nurturing, and genuinely supportive. There was space to take risks, to share work in progress, and to be vulnerable without pressure. The environment encouraged dialogue, collaboration, and deep listening (to oneself and to nature...). As Mallorca has become a luxury retreat destination, some people come here expecting that... Villa Capri provides a raw and real experience; you don't need a perfect studio space if you have the freedom to place your table anywhere you want in a huge garden... It is rare to find a residency that feels both intimate and expansive at the same time. I left feeling inspired, grounded, and connected. I would join again without hesitation and am already looking forward to the next nomadic residency outside Mallorca.

Excellent private bedroom with bathroom. Shared kitchen and living room. Beautiful, well appointed environment for day to day living. I'm a curator so didn't use the studio facilities. They also have relationships with off-site maker spaces. Staff on-site so they're available for help. I would have liked to been with residents who had a more complex and deep understanding of power dynamics and the relationship to class, gender and race. That could be explored more candidate interviews. Lots of interesting art organizations to visit in the region. Grocery store and gym in walking distance. There is a car available to residents but only those with an American driver's license can use it. Santa Fe and New Mexico in general is a place where a vehicle is necessary. Free to apply, no fees to pay but no funding.

The apartment they have residents stay at is on an incredibly male-populated street with men flooding the main street at all times. I did not want to walk outside at night and did not feel safe on the street. The organizers flounder and seem to not know what they're doing. It's run by volunteers but that doesn't mean you can charge artists money and then go AWOL. They have random guys come in to give critique on your work which is frankly unwelcome when the work is personal or feminist. It would have been cheaper to rent an apartment for a month and I wish I would have.

charge high fees and do not disclose them upfront in the application process

Caution notice: 1. The price posted on their website is not correct. It states a price for the season, then after booking it, raises the price. 2. They agree to be paid by PayPal, and after paying the fee, say you have to pay more to cover their vendor fee. 3. They never provided me with a signed residency agreement. I never saw all their requirements. 4. Because of the questionable pricing practices, I notified them 2 months before the residency that I was cancelling my stay and wanted a refund. They refused my request stating they have a 90-day cancellation policy. This was never stated before the day I cancelled. They said it was their rule. Since they never provided me a residency agreement, I had no idea of this rule. Avoid these people, they are unethical, greedy, and certainly not interested in cooperating with artists.