Convento São Francisco de Mértola
Residencies
The Artist-In-Residence programme at the Convento offers artists, designers, writers and musicians from all over the world, the opportunity to create work in an atmosphere of supportive creativity. Artists can use the Convento as a retreat but the energy created at the Convento owes itself to the mixture of people working in different disciplines coming together, in order to experiment and produce (a new body of) art. The grounds of the Convento can be used to produce and exhibit work. The grounds of the Convento (40 hectares) include: the biological gardens, woodlands, river, bird sanctuary and Water Museum.
The Convento is located in the village of Mértola, Portugal. While the nearby town can provide basic necessities of food (shops, restaurants, cafes, bars), the Convento is a quiet place for individuals to "re-tune" and meditate.
Often you will see other artists from around the world, but in some cases it is a place of solitary study, where you can get lost in the ancient ruins of a once functioning monastery (and now the luscious surrounding gardens)
The self-sufficient artist studios are converted monastery buildings and overlook the beautiful gardens and hills beyond.
For those in need of a place to work undisturbed the residency programme offers a quiet Cottage five minutes walk from the main building.
We can provide for each resident’s individual needs and there are large communal workspaces in which to work.
Residencies can be one week to two months, longer periods can be agreed on.
Artists are chosen on the basis of artistic criteria.
The artist in residence programme offers:
Individual Studio space, kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.
The grounds of the Convento to produce and exhibit work.
Studio with wood stove / cool in summer.
Computer and wired internet connection.
Workshop facilities and tools.
The opportunity to meet and network with other artists
If requested, to hold workshops with local residents
The fee for an artist-in-residence is normally €125 per week. Breakfast and a main meal can be provided for a small extra cost.
The Convento is situated in the Alentejo region of Portugal. This beautiful area is remote but accessible by bus and taxi. A daily express bus runs from Lisbon to Mertola and from Faro airport there is a car service on request.
See also the Frequently Asked Questions page
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