Open Call for Spring and Autumn Self Directed Creative Retreats at The Warren Forest Garden & Eco Cabins
An opportunity for creatives to slow down, reflect and connect with nature. We are offering week long retreat residency slots for artists, writers and creative practitioners in Coll Cabin from October to December, and February to April. The off grid, low impact cabin is situated in our 2.5 acre Forest Garden and Regenerative Woodland on the Black Isle in Northern Scotland.
The cost to artists is £450 per week for accommodation (including linen/towels, electricity, firewood) plus a £150 damage deposit, and artists may apply for up to 4 consecutive weeks maximum. Retreat artists are responsible for all other costs (e.g. food, travel, materials, insurances etc.). Artists can apply for outside funding sources for the residency.
The open-plan cabin comprises both the accommodation and a small desk work space. As it is a live/work space it is ideally suited for creatives working on research, clean small scale work, or wishing to make work outside in the wider landscape context, rather than those needing a large painting/ sculpture studio. There is limited mains electricity and no Wi-Fi provided in the cabin, so the residency is suited to artists whose creative practice and needs do not rely on these and who would like the opportunity to experience living at a simpler and slower pace. A Yurt is also available for additional workspace or talks, events etc.
The retreat is ideal for creative practitioners working in the fields of sustainable and regenerative living, food systems, climate crisis and ecology, in dialogue with people, place and ecosystems. The residency offers creative practitioners time and space to develop their ideas and practice through reflection, simple living, research, inquiry and production. Artists would be welcome to hold a workshop or talk as part of the time here.
Artists at all stages of their career, whether emerging or established, are welcome to apply. The objective is to provide a live/work space and time for artists to reflect, connect with nature and strengthen their practice and explore open ended outcomes.
The Warren Forest Garden, woodland, eco household and arts studio is our livelihood and a place we nurture, therefore we seek an artist who shares our values and respect for the natural world, and who can use this as a framework for their work. The Permaculture ethics of ‘Earth Care, People Care and Future Care’ are embedded in everything we do and we invite applications from those who share this view.
Please download and read the application Key Practical Information and Terms below, which gives a full description of all the facilities at Coll Cabin and The Warren Forest Garden – it is vital that all applicants read it and are aware of what is available on site.
If the residency is suitable and you would like to apply submit the following to Black Isle Permaculture & Arts by email: [email protected]
- An outline of how you plan to spend your time on the residency and any themes or areas you wish to explore
- An artist’s statement (max 500 words)
- An up to date artist CV
- 6 to 8 images of recent artwork
- How you plan to fund your stay
- The dates you would like to stay (ideally first and second preference). We will try to accommodate artists first preference for dates but some flexibility will be required.