Vélez Blanco, Spain
Joya: AiR, an artist residency program located in the Parque Natural Sierra María - Los Vélez in Almería, Andalucía, offers a unique interdisciplinary residency for artists, writers, and creatives from various disciplines. Founded by Simon and Donna Beckmann in 2009, it emphasizes sustainable living and creative work that regenerates the land. The residency provides private studio space, accommodation, and meals, fostering a communal atmosphere among residents. It encourages exploration, learning from the surroundings, and engagement with the local community and environment. Joya: AiR is an off-grid, carbon-positive initiative, supporting over 1500 artists since 2006 in one of Europe's sunniest regions. The program includes access to workshops, critiques, and the opportunity for artists to present their work, enhancing their creative journey in a supportive and inspiring setting.
For me, it was a quiet and mentally sharpening place. I was able to feel the life of plants by seeing kochia growing in a land without people or animals. And The people I met here were amazing. Because it's a beautiful place and Simon is organizer. I believe that good people attract good people. I would like to come back someday.
Joya is a wonderful retreat to spend time making art in beautiful remote surroundings. I made great friends there too. The accommodation, food and studios provided are really great quality too.
A tremendous place to go off-grid, in every sense of the word, and connect with one's creative priorities. Both without external interference, but also in the company of other creatives from many walks of life and different disciplines. Created by two working artists, the campus is very inspirational and affords all residents ample personal space but also wonderful communal spaces to navigate this dialogue between personal and public development. The site is about as isolated as it is possible to be in Iberia, but well worth the effort to reach.
Beautiful landscape, facilities, and human beings. A great balance between solitude and connection with others. It can be a little challenging & costly to get there if you’re not already based in Europe, but it was worth it. A focus on sustainability and fantastic meal we’re highlights!
This residency gave me the time, solitude and creative freedom I needed to dive deeper into my practice without the interruptions from outside noise. We were isolated from the rest of the world. One of the benefits was we had our dinner meal cooked every evening, nourishment at the end of a long day was a big deal. Its important to remember you are in the middle of a national park so you need to prepare in advance what type of work you will be creating or developing upon your stay, including all materials required. It was a small inversion for my career, I also believe it was necessary for me because I left recharged and with new work studies of developing ideas for future projects.
The peaceful, natural environment, and the way you are taken care of, make you let go of everything and just be an artist.
My time at Joya: AiR has been a unique opportunity to engage in my creative practice in a new environment without the usual distractions and demands of daily life as well as connecting with talented and beautiful humans. Joya’s location in the stunning Andalusian countryside provided me with a breathtaking backdrop for my practice. With its ethos centred on sustainability, it was just the perfect place for me to continue addressing the impact that the art industry has on the environment within my own practice. As an artist that embraces moving away from exploitative and extractive relationships with nature, and prioritises connection, slower living and mindful action, I felt more connected than ever even though we’re completely off-grid. I was also able to see my work with fresh eyes and gained new insights into my creative process which has helped push myself to new levels of creativity and self-discovery. Surrendering to the astonishingly beautiful landscape and letting the sublime simplicity of life being the protagonists, generated a fertile environment for observation and focused work. I spent time soaking up the peace and beauty of this incredible place, allowing myself the time for grounding, exploring, creating. Just observing and simply being in deep communion with Mother Earth.
Beautiful area.