31st October - 22nd of November 2026

November is one of the most beautiful months in terms of light. Bright, crisp vistas, low hanging sun, tinges everything with a golden light.
Join your host Leah Heming as she takes you into the mountains for breathtaking inspiration and art days. November is ideal for artists who prise light in their creations and who are looking for a quiet retreat to delve deep into their creativity.

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AUTUMN LIGHT

A real local's month and completely out of tourist season, November is the month of the olive harvest. Only the locals remain, out in the fields, collecting and pressing the oil. This month offers a quiet, reflective time and the most stunning light and daily dramatic skies. If atmosphere is what you are looking for, this is the time to come. Leah will curate beautiful excursions in search of the light for you as well as support you through your creative process in the studio.

HIGHLIGHTS

🌿 Weekly art day island excursions around the theme of light
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 Regular hikes
🌿 Art in the outdoors
🌿 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

AUTUMN LIGHT ART RESIDENCY IS PERFECT FOR

🍂  creatives who love dramatic light
🍂  creatives who want to push their creative practice in a quiet setting
🍂  creatives who love hiking
🍂  creatives who are looking for inspiration from nature
🍂  creatives who want to join into the local communal island life
🍂  writers
🍂  artists
🍂  musicians
🍂  scientists / researchers
🍂  botanists
🍂  poets
🍂  PHD students
🍂  storytellers
🍂  photographers

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

AN AVERAGE WEEK AT THE AUTUMN LIGHT ART 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: Creative morning
                                       🌜 PM: Creative afternoon or //mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)

WEDNESDAY:       ☀️AM: Creative morning or// Excursion morning... choose from a selection excursions (hiking, plein air writing, archaeological visits, beach...)
                                         🌜PM: Creative afternoon or// Excursion afternoon... choose from a selection excursions (hiking, plein air writing, archaeological visits, beach...)

THURSDAY:            ☀️AM: Creative morning
                                        🌜PM: Creative afternoon or //mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)

FRIDAY:                     ☀️🌜AM+PM: Chasing the light art & hiking day tailored to the needs and desires of the group

SATURDAY:             ☀️AM: Creative morning or// mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)
                                         🌜PM: Creative afternoon // Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in

SUNDAY:                  ☀️AM: Go on a breathtaking hike with the local hiking or environmental group.
                                         🌜PM: Reward yourself after a big brisk hike with a traditional Sunday Long Lunch in a local taverna with friends and family.

YOUR HOST LEAH

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

NOVEMBER
WEATHER

November can still have some warm, crisp sunny days and a few rain showers now and then. Evening winter fires become more regular. Generally, the days are still fairly warm and the evening are cooler.

Bring winter clothes and mid season hiking clothes.
Swimming is still possible on a hot sunny afternoon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

🌿 Weekly shopping at the local market & village
🌿 Excursions around the island  (hiking, archaeology, beach, plein air...)
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 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
🌿 The island all to yourself!
🌿 Tailored residency to your needs

🌿 Immersion into the local community
🌿 Friendly cats
🌿 Communal evening cooking
🌿 Magical gorge with fresh water springs and swim spots
 🌿Cosy evenings around the fire
🌿 Stunning spring light & budding flowers
🌿 Yoga mats and blocks
🌿 Fully equipped shared kitchen
🌿 Private bedroom
 🌿 Shared bathroom
🌿 Excellent wi-fi

FEES FOR THE 2026 ORCHIDS & WILDFLOWERS ART RESIDENCY

RATES FOR 22 nights
€ 1250 per person *
(+ €700 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 Autumn Light art day with Leah Heming
✚ Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
✚ End of residency group presentation & drinks
✚ regular early morning hikes or trail runs
✚ Accommodation
✚ Pick up / drop off at the port upon arrival / leaving
✚ regularly cleaned bedsheets + towels
✚ Basic food condiments (salt, olive oil, etc)
✚ Fire Wood

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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