4th - 26th of September 2027

In September, we are excited to be welcoming our guest teacher and published author Joanna Pocock to guide us on a nature writing workshop. 
Your host Leah Heming will take you for 'sketch' and inspiration days in picturesque local villages, beautiful gorges, stunning seascapes and mountains. We taking advantage of the cooling temperatures to take our writing outdoors.

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NATURE WRITING

September is a fabulous month to visit Thassos. A quieter and slightly less hot month, you can still enjoy the summer delights without the intense heat. This month brings the ripening of the last of the summer fruits, like grapes, Cornellian cherries, the last of the figs and many summer vegetables. September is also an excellent month to get those hiking boots back on and explore the hidden beauties of the island with your notebook or sketchbook.

HIGHLIGHTS

🌿 Weekly guided outdoor art days with Leah Heming
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 Stay in a traditional Greek house in a local community
🌿 Quiet working space and setting
🌿 Tailor made creative residency to fit your needs
🌿 Unforgettable experience
🌿 Nature, nature and more nature

NATURE WRITING RESIDENCY IS PERFECT FOR

🥾 creatives who want to learn more about the 'real' Greek island
🥾 creatives who are looking for inspiration from nature
🥾 creatives who want to push their creative practice
🥾 creatives who love the sun
🥾 creatives who want to join into the local community life
🥾 writers
🥾 journalists
🥾 poets
🥾 storytellers

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Water & Rock's ethos is that through art we can bring awareness and sensitivity to our natural world.
We are true believers that creative communication is the driving force for change.
Therefore if your work is inspired by nature and you are motivated to get stuck into to your project or develop your ideas, then we want to hear from you!

The residency is for you if...
 🌿 You are inspired by nature
🌿 You want to make change through your art
🌿 You have a project that needs nurturing & attention
🌿 You want to live in community
🌿 You want to immerse yourself in local culture
🌿 You want an adventure

THE PROGRAM

WEEK 1: see average week below
WEEK 2: 3 day intensive workshop with Joanna Pocock + weekly excursion (optional) + market
WEEK 3: see average week below

AN AVERAGE WEEK AT THE NATURE WRITING RESIDENCY

MONDAY:               ☀️AM: drive down to the local village market in Prinos where you will find beautiful fresh, seasonal vegetables from local small scale farmers.
                                                         Stock up for the week from the market, local fishmongers, butchers and supermarket, then finish the morning with a Greek coffee in the                                                                                   café with the local community.
                                        🌜PM: Head back to house,  get creative or head out for a walk around the village or into the beautiful gorge full of springs and dipping pools

TUESDAY:               ☀️AM + PM: Creative studio day

WEDNESDAY:       ☀️AM + PM: Creative studio day

THURSDAY:            ☀️+ 🌜AM + PM: Excursion day... tailored to the needs and desires of the group (secluded beach, mountain, mountain village...)

FRIDAY:                     ☀️AM + PM: Creative studio day
                                         
SATURDAY:             ☀️AM: Creative morning
                                         🌜PM: Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in

SUNDAY:                  ☀️AM: Go on a breathtaking hike with your guide Leah Heming.
                                         🌜PM: Reward yourself after a hike with a traditional Sunday Long Lunch in a local taverna with friends and family

THE WORKSHOP w/ JOANNA POCOCK

DETAILS COMING SOON

YOUR WRITING TEACHER
JOANNA POCOCK

Joanna Pocock is an Irish-Canadian writer living in London. Her writing has notably appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Nation and Guardian US, and she is a contributing editor at the Dark Mountain project. She won the 2018 Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize for Surrender and in 2021 she was awarded the Arts Foundation’s Environmental Writing Fellowship. Greyhound is her second book.
Joanna has been teaching creative nature writing for many years in London.

Joanna and I met at stone age living course with Lynx Vilden in 2017 during her research for her book Surrender. We instantly bonded and became good friends, bonding over laughter, ecology and creativity.

Joanna's book Surrender
Joanna's book Greyhound

YOUR HOST

Leah is an illustrator, art director & concept designer for TV and animation.
She is also a qualified nature guide who particularly loves ethnobotany. Additionally, Leah co-ran a successful art gallery for 10 years and once worked as a 'Jeep Safari tour guide' on the island taking people to beautiful mountains locations.

Leah has been living on the island of Thassos for 5 years and is passionate about the island's nature. She is a hiker and a trail runner, so she will be happy to take you out on long hikes into the mountains and talk endlessly about ecology.

Leah will be living next door to you, cooking with you in the evenings, working alongside you in the studio and taking you out on excursions.  

Leah's Instagram
www.leah-heming.com

SEPTEMBER
WEATHER

September is one of the best months weather-wise. The summer is still with us but the temperatures have dropped slightly and the tourists are leaving. The sea is at its best too. 

You can expect mostly hot summer weather but you might need a light jumper in the evenings towards the end of the month.

Bring light hiking clothes, swim wear and a sun hat.

WHAT TO EXPECT

🌿 Weekly shopping at the local market & village
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 Excursions around the island  (hiking, archaeology, beach, plein air...)
🌿 Desk in your room
🌿 Communal desk space
🌿 Many outdoor terraces with stunning views
🌿 A quiet place to concentrate
🌿 Community & other creatives to share ideas with
🌿 Peace and quiet
🌿 A local guide (Leah your host)
🌿 Delicious Greek delicacies

🌿 Immersion into the local community
🌿 Friendly cats
🌿 Communal evening cooking
🌿 Magical gorge with ancient trees and Roman terraces
 🌿Social evenings with friends and neighbours
🌿 Stunning turquoise sea water
🌿 Yoga mats and blocks
🌿 Fully equipped shared kitchen
🌿 Private bedroom
 🌿 Shared bathroom
🌿 Excellent wi-fi

FEES FOR THE 2027 NATURE WRITING RESIDENCY

RATES FOR 22 nights
€ 1750 per person *
(+ €800 for double occupancy)

3 ROOMS

🌿 Metamorphosis room: On the ground floor, next to the bathroom & the studio. With its original stone work, this double room is very cosy, like sleeping in cocoon!
🌿 Fern spirit room: Upstairs room with a view, original features and a small wood burner, this room can be made up as a single or double room.
🌿 Krana room: Upstairs, a smaller but double room with fantastic views and a lovely feeling with its original wattle and daub walls.

* 50% deposit required - see full Terms & Conditions here

WHAT IS INCLUDED

✚ 1 weekly hike & writing day with Leah Heming
✚ Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
✚ End of residency group presentation & drinks
✚ regular early morning hikes
✚ Accommodation
✚ Pick up / drop off at the port upon arrival / leaving
✚ regularly cleaned bedsheets + towels
✚ Basic food condiments (salt, olive oil, etc)

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

⊖ Extra excursions (optional) *
⊖ Personal laundry (€3 per load)
⊖ Travel insurance
⊖ Travel to and from the residency (except from the ferry port)
⊖ Entrance fees to the museum
⊖ Personal groceries and taverna outings
⊖ art materials

* Click here for list and pricing of extra optional excursions
Any more questions... visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or drop us an email!

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