Are Creative Retreats the New Way to Vacation?

A new artist residency and creative retreat space has opened in the remote wilderness of West Iceland, located just outside the Snaefellsnes National Park and in the foothills of the famous Glacier Snæfellsjokull, that Jules Verne wrote about in his famous novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth as the gate to enter the planet’s interior by way of volcanic tubes.

Providing a peaceful haven for creative expression surrounded by some of nature’s most spectacular scenery, Arctic Canvas welcomes artists of all disciplines to an immersive experience in an extraordinary setting on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, between the glacier and the ocean.

“Arctic Canvas offers artists the unparalleled opportunity to tap into the vast sources of inspiration found in Iceland’s incredible natural environment – says founder Birgit Gudjónsdóttir, the award winning cinematographer behind films like “Our Grand Despair”, and “Die Rueden” – From daybreak over the Atlantic to the otherworldly glow of the midnight sun, these ancient lands have captivated creators for centuries.

Our dream was to give contemporary artists a chance to explore that heritage in a new space designed with creativity in mind.”

The Arctic Canvas residency, a self-funded artist residency, features an open plan 57m² studio bathed in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows framing vistas of mountains, glacier, ocean and moss-covered lava fields. Just a short distance from the picturesque village of Hellnar, the secluded rural location allows artists to find profound solitude and focus amidst 360° panoramic scenes of rugged Icelandic beauty.

Individual residencies are open for terms ranging from 2 weeks to 3 months. The flexible timeframes enable artists to become fully immersed in their work while surrounded by the unique energy and mystique of this geologically-sculpted arctic landscape.

Alongside the Artist Residency, Arctic Canvas will also host group retreats and workshops promoting education, community and creative collaboration.

“Whether you’re a writer, musician, digital artist, dancer, painter, designer, craftsperson or any other creative soul, we invite the world’s artistic visionaries to experience the transformative power of creation amidst the primal forces of nature of Iceland,” said Hedi Jonsdottir, co-founder and a designer based in London. “This is a refuge for inspiration unlike any other.”