Parnonas Artist Residency
Tsintzina, Mt. Parnon
Parnonas Artist Residency
The Parnonas Artist Residency (P.A.R) is designed to provide a cultural immersion: living, working and dining in the mountain village of Tsintzina, in the Parnonas Mountains in Southern Greece. Near historical Sparta, we offer a relaxed, high-quality environment to think and develop ideas and projects. The residency welcomes artists of all disciplines,
Though located in the mountains, small group trips are organised to swim in the blue-green waters of the Aegean Sea and hike across the mountain range.
Mountains and villages are accessible via trekking or electric cycles. Or you can spend the time contentedly holed up in the peaceful solitude of a mountain village with abundant quiet corners. We encourage artists who wish to travel more around the area on their own to rent a vehicle, as the site is mountainous and public transport does not reach the village (travel is provided from Athens for arriving and departing artists in residence).
The residency includes accommodation and a traditional breakfast each day. Lunch and dinner are not provided but can be served daily within the village. Artists can spend time as they wish throughout the residency, and we offer the option to participate in small group workshops. TBC. Please see our Workshops page to learn more.
We will hold two residency sessions in 2023.
LOCATION
Polydrhosson (Tsintzina)
The village of Tsintzina (Polydrhosson) is located in the centre of the Parnonas mountains in the southeastern part of Greece and dates back to the 12th century.
Evidence suggests continuous habitation of the surrounding area from the
Nine century AD. St.Anargiroi Monastery was first built at this time and was rehabilitated between 1618 and 1622. The earliest known reference to Polydrohsson (Tsintzina) appears in a Byzantine Imperial Decree of 1292 AD.
In the mid-1700s, the village had a thriving production base, textile processing,
(wool, linen, cotton) and the construction of timber artefacts. Sheep farming and dairy products were traded in the well-established markets of Mystra and Sparta, and Tegea near Tripolis.
In the late 17th century, two French travellers included Tsintzina in their Laconian tour, and their travel memoirs were published in Paris in the late 1670s.
Tsintzina today is a village of many families whose ancestral line stems from the early Byzantine period. A small community with residents from America and mainland Greece, each home was rebuilt from the ruins of the original stone village to the specific taste of the owners, and no two residences are alike.
To navigate the village, artists must be happy to climb hills and stairs and tolerate heat and sunlight.
ACCOMMODATION
Artists are accommodated on the edge of the village. Linens are provided, and the accommodations are professionally cleaned every fourth day.
The residency includes a traditional breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not provided.
Meals are served family-style at several traditional tavernas in the centre and neighbouring villages at 2 pm and 8 pm. The taverna excellent sampling of authentic Greek cuisine; fresh fruits and vegetables from homemade sweet and savoury pastries, daily specials, locally produced red and white wine, and the local "moonshine" raki.
For artists that prefer to work through lunch, lunches may be packed to-go and taken to the artist's workspace. Accommodations for allergies and specific dietary restrictions can be made if notified beforehand.
Guests are not permitted during the residency session, but arrangements may be made for artists and guests that wish to stay additional days before or after the session. Pets are not allowed, and smoking is not permitted inside the residence.
EXCURSIONS
SPARTA & MYSTRA ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURS
We have developed optional excursions to allow artists to see more of the Peloponnese beyond our little village, whether hiking in the mountains, exploring an archaeological dig, spending some time at the beach, or sampling the coastal cuisine. ( The excursions, except for hiking, are subject to a majority vote by the group).
Mystra Castle - Ancient Sparta
When we hear the name "Sparta", we probably think of the name of one of the most famous kings in history, Leonidas. On our tour, we will see the modern statue of Leonidas, influenced by the ancient one found in the acropolis of Sparta. Then, we continue, with the world-famous medieval castle city of Mystras, which rises on a steep hill at the foot of Taygetus, with its magnificent mountain range, which dominates the valley of Sparta. Finally, our tour ends with the olive and Greek olive oil museum, a modern-themed museum in Sparta, one of the central olive-producing locations in Greece. It is the only museum in Greece that characterises the uses of the olive tree and its products over time.
The locations we will visit:
Statue of Leonidas - Acropolis - Mystras Castle - Olive Museum or the Museum of Sparta
Excursion duration: 10 hours
€35.
DAY TRIP TO MONEMVASIA
Monemvasia - Castle - Liotrivi
The islet of Monemvasia was a cape that was severed from the mainland after a devastating earthquake in 375 AD. It is 300 meters high and built entirely on a steep colourful rock. Little by little, it developed into a famous castle city. It became a strategic base of the trade and military fleet of the Byzantine Empire, from which one could control the Eastern Mediterranean while being the last stronghold of the Byzantines. Many peoples, including the Venetians, the Turks and the Pope, succeeded and occupied it by putting their stamp on it. Today, it is a lively and picturesque medieval castle town, preserving the narrow cobbled paths and vaulted buildings, with many traditional shops and taverns. Our guided tour will continue with the Liotrivi mansion, originally belonging to the family of the famous Greek poet Yannis Ritsos. Later, the estate was turned into an olive oil factory, where all the surrounding growers brought their output to produce the precious green juice, olive oil. Today, the traditional equipment of the olive mill of the 1920s can be viewed inside the original buildings.
The locations we will visit:
Monemvasia - Castle - Liotrivi
Excursion duration: 10 hours
€40.
APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW
WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 RESIDENCY SEASON
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The final submission deadline for this late summer residency program will be August 05, with two weekly sessions in late Summer on September 18 - 23 and September 25 - 30.
The application process is free and open to all. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Questions about the Residency Fee, Financial Aid, our Refund/ Postponement policy, or Travel? Visit our FAQ page.For further information, please contact: antony@antonywilder.com
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
While I’m sorry that you missed out this time, I’d love to see you at the next residency.
ABOUT
Antony Wilder is an artist, photographer, and founder of the Parnonas Artists Residency. He is a Camberwell College of Arts and Central Saint Martins graduate with a First Degree in Fine Art Photography and a Masters Degree in Contemporary Photography: Practices and Philosophies.
Working with the resonances of materials in the contexts of technological society, Wilder’s practice crosses abstract geometric forms, studies of circuitry and digital objects, and installations where natural and digital materials meet and jostle for prominence. Working with various materials, beginning with photography but expanding into site-responsive works with wood and plaster, he works with affectively-charged materials to seek critical positions questioning how contemporary society constructs systems of value, forms of power and discipline over the human psyche and nature. Wilder's work invites us to engage in a deeper conversation about the complex and evolving relationship between technology and the environment.
Of Greek heritage, living and working in London, Wilder organises exhibition projects and publishes alongside his practice. Publications include Architectural & Industrial for The Photographer and Holiday Homes for Urlaubs Architectur. His exhibitions include Ghost City Macai-Projects London (2022), Finally, Ugly Duck Gallery, London (2021), Three Humans, and Tension Fine Art Gallery, London (2021).
With an extensive experience in project management, business development and collaborative artistic practice, Wilder founded the Parnonas Artists Residency to share his experiences of Parnonas in a small, friendly and supportive environment. Fluent in English, Greek and Italian, he supports artists throughout the residency and provides the foundations for a relaxed and productive working environment.
FAQ
HOW DOES THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS WORK?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all available Residency spots are filled in both sessions. We are taking a maximum of nine artists or a minimum of five artists for each session in June and September 2023. A place in the Residency may be secured by submitting a deposit of 35% of the Residency fee. The remainder of the residency fee is due May 05, 2023, and August 05, so we may make all necessary arrangements.
Artists are selected by the Residency Committee, which includes the Board of Directors and a guest curator. Each member of the committee has an equal vote. The application process is free and open to all, but incomplete applications will not be considered.
PARNONAS ARTIST RESIDENCY REFUND POLICY
The residency fee is due no later than August 05, 2023. However, suppose the artist cancels their residency session until August 05, 2023. In that case, the artist's residency fee will be refunded in full, or the artist may postpone their Residency until a future date. If the artist decides to cancel their Residency after August 05, 2023, we will refund 35% of the residency fee.
PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR ARTISTS (DEPENDENT UPON THE CURRENT HEALTH SITUATION)
Vaccination and Testing. We require all artists planning to travel internationally to have been fully vaccinated before travelling. ( If Covid continues to be an issue). Airlines may require vaccination, or they may require testing, or they may require both before you travel. Research the Airline's COVID-19 policy concerning cancellation and postponement insurance on your ticket before booking your flight.
We suggest planning to fly to Athens Venizelos Airport. However, we ask artists not to travel before the Residency to protect themselves, our faculty, and the village's residents.
HYGIENE
The Parnonas Artist Residency is in a remote mountain village in the Peloponnese, which minimises the artist's contact with crowds, crowded spaces and enclosed public spaces. In addition, each artist will have a private bedroom and bathroom.
Accommodations will be professionally cleaned weekly and before the artist arrives. The shared communal space of the building is well-ventilated with windows and doors on all sides and is regularly cleaned.
While the location is rural, facilities are equipped with all the modern amenities, including modern bathrooms, clean mountain spring water from modern plumbing, and plenty of sinks and hand washing facilities. In addition, we will be conducting evening Artist Presentations outdoors on the P.A.R. terrace.
Workshops will be held in small groups, and the Closing Exhibition will be installed as a walking tour of the village. We have minimised the group excursions to Mountain Hike, Archaeology Excursions and small group trips to the beach. Still, we encourage artists who desire more travel around the villages to rent a car and plan trips for themselves before or after the Residency.
WHAT DOES THE RESIDENCY COST?
Early Bird applications ( before August 05 ) are £1050.00 for two weeks. If you stay one week on a self-directed residency, the fee will be £560.00. The residency fee includes transport to and from Athens Airport, breakfast, a private double room, a private bathroom and free Wifi for the entire week. See our pages for more information on the workshops page.
EXPECTATIONS TOWARDS THE ARTIST
Parnonas Artist Residency has no expectations towards the artist and hopes that this supportive environment, without pressure to produce, will aid creativity, experimentation and the development of new ideas. Parnonas Artist Residency offers all creative practitioners a change of pace and space to create.
DOES THE PARNONAS ARTIST RESIDENCY OFFER ANY FUNDING?
Yes! We certainly understand that times are tough. However, as an artist-run residency, we are doing our best to keep the cost as low as possible for the artists, as we realise many are self-funding their residences.
For Summer 2023, we can offer two artists needing financial aid a 30% discount on the Residency, bringing the cost down to £840.00, and £450.00 as self-directed without a workshop. We ask only artists without financial assistance to take advantage of the discount. We want to be transparent in the aid we offer, we are making this discount available to any artists who come to us with a request for financial assistance, but it is important to note that artists who can pay the residency fee without the discount are helping a fellow artist who is unable to do so.
CAN MY RESIDENCY FEE BE REFUNDED IF I HAVE TO CANCEL?
The residency fee will be refunded at 100% if the artist needs to cancel their residency session until May 05, 2023, or August 05, when it is due in full. The artist may also choose to postpone their Residency and apply the price they have submitted to the following year's residency sessions. We ask artists to raise the remainder of their residency fee and confirm their intention to attend the Residency by May 05, 2023, or August 05. After May 05, the residency fee will be non-refundable if cancelled two weeks before the session begins. If you are attending the late summer residency, we ask artists to submit the remainder of their residency fee and confirm their intention to participate by August 05 2023.
HOW DO I GET TO THE RESIDENCY?
Athens Airport Metro Line
Athens airport subway offers reliable and fast transportation services from and to Athens Airport. The Blue Line (Metro Line 3) connects Athens International Airport to Syntagma Square, the city's central hub, in just 40 minutes. Once in Athens, we will collect everyone at Syntagma Square station at 3 pm and then drive you to the Residency village, which is about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Leaving the P.A.R. is the reverse of arrival, but please remember the transit time. You'll want to ensure your return flight doesn't leave before 11 am to be safe.
WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO ARRIVE AND DEPART?
If your Residency begins on May 29, for example, you should plan to arrive in Athens at some point during the day on May 29 before 3 pm. (You might choose to come a day or two earlier and take the opportunity to visit some of the Contemporary galleries and museums before your Residency. The same applies to September residencies.).
Residency staff will pick you up at Syntagma Station at 3 pm and bring you to the village of Tsintzina. We will have dinner on arrival as a group at the Koukounari Taverna.
If your Residency ends on June 9 or September 30, the P.A.R. staff will coordinate trips to take the artists to Athens. Breakfast will be provided for those artists still in the village during the day, and there will be lunch and dinner in the local taverna Koukounari. There will be no accommodations for that evening.
WHAT IS THE HOUSING LIKE?
All the accommodations come with bath towels and bed linens.
All rooms include a table, chair, and wall space if desired. There are windows with screens; it is bright with natural light and airy.
IS THERE WIFI AT THE RESIDENCY? CELL SERVICE?
Yes, there is Wifi in the P.A.R., accommodations, and building.
ARE THERE ART SUPPLY STORES NEARBY? DIGITAL PRINTING?
There are no art supply stores in the village. Sparta is the nearest town with a print and stationery store with a small cache of elementary art supplies. Artists must bring the supplies with them that they intend to work with. It is tough to mail supplies to Greece, so please plan to pack what you will use. Please coordinate with P.A.R. staff ASAP if you plan to work in a specific medium and cannot bring the supplies.
There is also a printing service in Sparta. They print on high-quality paper, are inexpensive, and can print all international A, Format sizes. This is an excellent option for artists who want to show large format digital work in the final exhibition but not spend a large amount of money on printing and not worry about travelling afterwards with large prints,
ARE SPOUSES/SIGNIFICANT OTHERS/CHILDREN/PETS ALLOWED?
Only spouses that are participating as fellow artists-in-residents are allowed. Children are not permitted as part of the Residency. We encourage our artists to think of this as quiet time, a respite from daily life and an opportunity to participate fully in a new community. Pets are not allowed.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather is typically warm during the day and cooler at night. It is not unusual for temperatures to reach 30 degrees Celsius (or higher) during the day in June (about 95- 100 degrees Fahrenheit). The rooms are well-ventilated, and all the rooms are built with thick stone walls that keep the rooms inside cool. Although nights may become very relaxed, artists are encouraged to bring light summer clothing and a warm sweater, jacket or long pants for a fantastic night. There is also the possibility of rain during the day, so having a rain jacket is a good idea. In addition, hiking shoes and hiking socks are recommended, as are comfortable walking shoes.
HOW FAR IS THE VILLAGE FROM THE BEACH?
The village is 50 km. There will be group trips to the beach during the Residency.
SHOULD I RENT A CAR?
You should rent a car if you plan to do much of your work outside the village, along the coast, or exploring the countryside. Cars can be rented at the Athens/Kalamata airport and are typically very cheap for manual transmission economy cars.
ARE THERE ANY STORES OR SUPERMARKETS IN THE VILLAGE?
There are no stores or supermarkets in the village. The nearest supermarket is in the town of Sparta. When you first arrive in Athens, you will have the opportunity to buy groceries.
WHAT ABOUT MY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
The Parnonas Artist Residency provides a light breakfast, and lunch and dinner are served at the Koukounari Taverna in the village. All allergies and dietary restrictions we are made aware of on the artist's application will be adhered to.
IS THE VILLAGE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?
It is not handicap accessible. It is an 800-year-old village built on the side of a mountain in rural Mt. Parnon, with many steps and stairs.
DO BRITISH CITIZENS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE?
Some travellers had expressed concerns that British citizens would need a visa to enter Europe after Brexit. This is not, however, the case. Although the U.K. is outside the EU, British citizens do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area and stay short-term.
Although U.K. citizens have no visa requirements, travellers must apply for ETIAS from 2024. In addition, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System are being introduced to improve safety and security across the Schengen Area.
Non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries like the U.K. will need ETIAS to cross an external border. ETIAS is not a visa and will be much easier to obtain. The application process is entirely online and will take just a few minutes.
The most significant change for U.K. nationals following Brexit is that the maximum length they can stay is now limited to 90 days per 180-day period. Once ETIAS is introduced, the permit will be valid for multiple stays of up to 3 months in any Schengen country.
British passport holders can learn more about applying for ETIAS from the U.K. below.