Dark Skies, Wild Seas, Inspiring Landscapes - Group Artist Residency, Lizard Peninsula Cornwall (Monday, November 18th to Friday, November 22nd 2024). A fantastic opportunity to spend time with like-minded people in the awe-inspiring dark skies and ecologically important location of the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall. This fascinating arts-science-heritage opportunity is curated to inspire art practitioners, researchers and thinkers alike.

About the Residency

We reside at Penrose Estate on the Lizard in Cornwall, a wild, natural setting near the incredible largest freshwater lake in Cornwall. The SSSI Loe Pool is cut off from the sea by a broad shingle bar heaped up by heavy Atlantic seas. The lake is a popular space for overwintering birds. 

The coast at Loe Bar is a site of many historical shipwrecks. There is lots of coastal flora and fauna to explore - this is also a good time of year to spot the amazing Atlantic sealife - dolphins, whales and seals are regular winter visitors, but not guaranteed! 

Located right on the South West Coast Path the Penrose bunkhouse is the ideal accommodation for our creative groups to explore the spectacular Lizard peninsula.

Simple, but with all the basic facilities you’d expect from a holiday property, the bunkhouse is heated by a wood-burning stove in the living room.

As a group, we will visit the amazingly photogenic Church and Dollar Cove full of historic shipwreck stories. Walk to the traditional fishing village of Porthleven.

We will make a trip to the most southern point the Lizard Point a popular area for seal spotting. In the evenings we will stargaze under the dark skies, well away from any light pollution. 

There is direct access to the beach, with sea swimming a short drive away at Dollar Cove or Porthleven. 

We welcome all art forms with lots of outdoor space for site-specific working and an abundance of natural places and creative walks to fuel inspiration. 

We encourage creatives, researchers and enthusiasts of all disciplines; if you know anyone you think would be interested in the residency, please encourage them to apply.

Our residencies have a relaxed environment with plenty of time to immerse yourselves in your practice or research. We encourage everyone to share enthusiasm and relevant research.

Outcomes

We invite you to showcase your work through our networking channels and contribute to our online blog; this will be shared across our social media platforms.

Practicalities

This bunkhouse offers communal spaces, both indoor and outdoor. We will be adhering to all current Covid-19 regulations and government guidelines. Check out our FAQs and don't hesitate to get in touch using the enquiry form.

The hostel has a well-equipped self-catering kitchen. There is a lovely local pub serving great food, Helston is a short bus journey away with all its supermarkets. 

Further Details:

Taking the theme of 'autumnal seas, ecologically rich environment and dark skies' we consider the stories of stars and the wild coastline of the Lizard peninsular, looking at how people have lived and worked this special landscape since prehistory using and enjoying the ancient night skies and sea connectivity that we can experience today.

Highlights during the residency include:

**A mix of art, science and heritage discussions

**Informative and inspiring walks including Kynance Cove, Church Cove and around the Penrose estate.

**Phytograms and alternative film development using plants with artist Joanna Mayes

**Visit the 'Ancient cliff castles along the sea roads of the Lizard', with Carolyn Kennett

**Enjoy a sunset and low light opportunities (weather dependant)

**Star gazing in the wonderful dark skies of Lizard, with astronomer Carolyn Kennett as our guide

£299 - full price per person (£249 if you are staying in your own accommodation). 
Prices include shared accommodation for four nights in this stunning location and full use of the hostel. 

You will be sharing a  large dorm rooms in the bunkhouse with same-sex participants. If we cannot accommodate due to the mix of gender we can discuss alternative local accommodation. We will be offering off-site places to a small number of people who wish to stay at the local campsite, due to limited accommodation at the bunkhouse. 

We offer a welcoming atmosphere and work hard to be inclusive and make adaptations to ensure that people of all learning styles and levels of physical ability are catered for.

Please get in touch if you have any particular questions or needs you wish to talk to us about prior to application.

This particular residency does include some longer walks, so please chat to us if you have any concerns about this - all activities are optional, but we don't want anyone to feel left out.

Rolling decision- final few places