Art, science & Nature

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING
  • Spend a week with up to 10 people from various backgrounds related to art, nature and science
  • Opportunity to take the time to wander, ponder and create in a new space, set in natural surroundings 
  • A relaxed environment in our family home
  • A chance to be part of a community/ future alumni
  • ​Opportunity to shape future residencies with your ideas and feedback 
  • 5 acres or land around our family home to use as inspiration

​We are intentionally keeping this residency fairly informal: you choose to use the time that works best for you.
WHO YOU ARE
  • An Artist, Scientist (doing anything, from the Natural, to Biological Sciences), Environmentalist, Naturalist or Creative Practitioner from another discipline 
  • Multi/cross/Inter/trans-disciplinary interests: you might have a core practice in one or more of the areas above, supported by a natural interest or curiosity in the other areas/disciplines
  • You could be studying, recently graduated, teaching at a University, amateur or self-taught: we welcome people at all stages of their life/career/practice
  • People from all backgrounds welcome - we believe in equality. Diversity is one of our key criteria for the mix of people who join us
  • You’re a self-starter and also sociable, interested in community and conversation, as well valuing time alone
  • You have an idea, project or something else that is relevant to the focus of the residency (in art, science, nature) that it would be beneficial to spend time on.. 

Please note: We welcome people working in various mediums - however, this is a ‘clean’ artist space (i.e. no throwing paint around or using messy materials), so please bear that in mind when considering applying.

FLOW OF THE WEEK
Day 1: Wednesday 1st June evening - arrivals, welcome and relaxed evening meal together

Day 2 - 7: Thursday 2nd - Tuesday 7th June
  • Breakfast between 8-10, lunch around 1.00pm - both are help yourself
  • Communal dinners x3 (Day 1, 3 and 7) at around 7pm - We will share the cooking!
  • ​Each person attending is invited to do something for others (e.g. meditation, yoga, drawing class): these activities can be added into the visual paper calendar, attendance is optional

Day 7 late afternoon: Tuesday 7th June - closing circle and aperitifs 
​ 
Day 8: travel home / onwards
Sea-life spotted in Noirmoutier
COSTS AND LOGISTICS
  • The cost of the residency per person is £250: this covers all our expenses including WIFI, running costs for the accommodation, pick up / drop back from and to Nantes airport, cleaning and laundry. 
  • Kitty: Each person contributes up to £150 (estimated) to a shared fund for food and toiletries: we will do a large shop at the beginning of the week and top us as needed. This kitty will cover the 3 communal evening dinners, breakfast and lunch each day. 
  • Airport pickup: we can fit 3 people in the car plus regular sized suitcases
  • Other ways to get to us: buses to Noirmoutier run from Nantes - we can advise you of this if you choose to make your own way there
  • Easyjet Flights to Nantes from Gatwick are currently less than £80 return (Written February 20th 2022)
MATERIALS 
  • Please bring your own materials - there is little resource on the Island to find creative materials 
  • To minimise our impact on the Island and our natural environment please try and bring / work in natural materials if possible
  • This is a 'clean' space - please see note above and bear that in mind when applying
The family home
ACCOMODATION
We have basic, comfortable accommodation:
  • 2 double rooms available 
  • ​1 room with 2 adult sized solid wooden bunk beds
  • 1 room with 2 single beds

Please note: 
  • The rooms are traditional french style accommodation. This is a family home: you'll get an authentic experience of French family life :) 
  • If you prefer a room to yourself please note this in your expression of interest (there will be an extra supplement) 
  • Couples are not allowed, unless both are artists or want to actively engage in the residency. Both people need to apply separately but request to share a room in your proposal. Otherwise separate applicants will always be room sharing with someone of the same gender
  • We encourage artist friends to apply together 

Camping
  • Our space can fit one large bell tent with up to 4 people, or up to 4 smaller tents with up to 4 people. 
  • We have a shower and toilet room especially for campers 
  • Please note - we can discuss a small discount for campers
     Space to relax
DATES AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS 
Dates: Wednesday 1st June to Wednesday 8th June (NB: 2nd and 3rd June are Bank Holidays in the UK)
Cost of Flights: £63 approx return Easyjet plus baggage if bringing extra 
Length of residency: 7 days (6 solid days for creative activities) 
Flight info: If you choose to fly from London Gatwick, please book onto the flights below. This makes it easier for us to arrange transfers to and from the airport and saves on multiple trips / petrol. 

​Please note:  We have chosen this time as the flights are currently good value and it makes the most of the UK Bank Holidays on the 2nd and 3rd June
THE GIVE / GET
This is the first time we’re running this residency: we have set the fees at-cost to make it as accessible and affordable as possible. In return we ask that you:
  • Provide us with your ideas and feedback to improve what we offer on future residencies we may host
  • Become a part of our Alumni after the residency 
  • Share future residency opportunities with your friends and networks (as relevant) 
  • Allow us to take photos of you / your work that we can use to market future residencies
  • If you feel like it, you could leave an artwork of your choice in the home for others to enjoy :)
YOUR HOSTS
We are Laura, Thomas and along with our young daughter Matilda want to welcome you into Thomas’s family home. 

About Thomas
Thomas Fenal is an entrepreneur and aerospace engineer. He is passionate about nature, permaculture, our environment and maps. He worked in the Space industry for many years designing satellites monitoring the environment. He also spent some time in Madagascar working on renewable energy projects for an environmental NGO. He completed an MSc at CAT (Center for Alternative Technology) in 2019 studying sustainability and adaptation to climate change after which he founded Gentian, a startup combining Remote Sensing technology and AI to promote urban greening and monitor biodiversity.
LinkedIn

​About Laura
​Laura Melissa Williams is an artist, designer and paraglider working in the intersection of art and science. She blends 20 years of experience in design, business and futures with recent explorations in art, technology, data, systems and science. Laura’s work focuses on connection: with each other and with our urban and natural environments. Laura aims to dig below the surface, responding to changing social and behavioural trends, and exploring and creating artworks that reveal possible futures. She is currently studying an MA in Art and Science at Central Saint Martins, London. 
LinkedIn
Instagram 
Bio
KEY DATES
Deadline for expressions of interest: 11.59 Wednesday 9th March 2022
We will notify you by: Sunday 20th March 2022 (or before)
Non-refundable deposit of £75​ paid to secure place / flights booked (as necessary):  by Friday 25th March
Residency: 1st June 2022 

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
If you’re interested please click the button below to share your expression of interest. It will direct you to a Google Form. 
Deadline for expressions of interest: 11.59PM Wednesday 9th March 2022

Please note: If selected, a non-refundable deposit of £75 is charged to secure your place in the residency. 
​© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
​All works on this website are subject to the following creative commons license.