7th - 29th of March 2026

This month, we will be inviting chef Chrysanthi Koussoulis Greek and etymology teacher Alexandros Hatzinotas.
Your host and nature guide Leah Heming will take you on  beautiful hikes, share her passion for ecology with you and organise in situ art days immersed in local Thassian island life.

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EAT • PAINT • LEARN

This is the perfect opportunity to dive into Greek life with some Greek cooking skills, Greek history, etymology and art.

This month is for the artist who wants to live with the locals, get inspired by the stories of place and of the people. Together, we will do art days on location dedicated to the local life. We will choose from a selection of options (the fisherman, the cook, the old man in the cafe...) and head out with our pens, paper, cameras and curiosity.

HIGHLIGHTS

🌿 1 Greek etymology lesson a week with native teacher Alexandros Hatzinotas
🌿 2 full day cooking lessons and feasting with Chrysanthi Koussouli perfect for sketching, photography and storytelling
🌿 1 history day visiting, sketching and gathering stories from  churches, monasteries, and Ancient Greek shrines
🌿 in situ art days doing portraits of local Greek life in tavernas / cafes / fishing port, etc
🌿 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

EAT • PAINT • LEARN ART RESIDENCY IS PERFECT FOR

✏️ creatives who want to learn Greek and immerse in the local culture
✏️ artists
 ✏️ poets
 ✏️ screenwriters
 ✏️ PHD students
 ✏️ scientist or researchers
 ✏️ musicians
 ✏️ botanists
 ✏️ digital content creators
 ✏️ activists
 ✏️ journalists
 ✏️ comedians
 ✏️ translators

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 EAT • PAINT • LEARN 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 + morning art in situ at the market
                                        🌜PM: Head back to house and get creative or head out for a walk around the village or into the beautiful gorge full of                                                                                                                            springs and dipping pools.

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

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

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

FRIDAY:                     ☀️ 🌜AM-PM: Greek cooking day with Chrysanthi Koussouli or  history day visiting, sketching and gathering stories from  churches, monasteries,                                                          and Ancient Greek shrines 

SATURDAY:             ☀️AM: Creative morning or// mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)
                                         🌜PM: afternoon art in situ (location to be chosen for example: taverna / cafe / fishermen / Ancient Greek temples, etc)

SUNDAY:                  ☀️AM: Go on a breathtaking hike with the local hiking or environmental group.
                                         🌜PM: Reward yourself after a big 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

ALEXANDROS HATZINOTAS
YOUR GREEK TEACHER

Alexandros is our very own Greek teacher and neighbour. Living between Athens and Kazaviti, Alex works as a professional language teacher for individuals and companies. In another lifetime, he used to be a professional jazz pianist, playing in bars and jazz lounges across Athens.

He is fluent in French and English and is passionate about etymology. Alex will indulge us in the wonders of language, teaching us some Greek and diving into the historical origins of the words we learn.

Guaranteed to be fun, to laugh and to learn lots about the history of Greece.

CHRYSANTHI KOUSSOULI
YOUR COOKING TEACHER

Cynthia grew up in a Greek New Jersey diner, then went into the fashion industry in New York. Eventually, she moved to Northern Greece to start a family and open her own café.

We met on a stone age course in the Rhodopi mountains with Lynx Vilden. We instantly became friends. She is an amazing chef and a really good laugh. Not only will she wow you with delicious recipes from her family heritage but she will entertain you with endless life stories from her colourful past.

Cynthia assisted us in the autumn of 2025 with a photo shoot for artist resident and professional food photographer Jess Belnick. We had an amazing feast, washed down with biodynamic wine made in our village in the traditional amphora fermenting process.

MARCH
WEATHER

March can be very variable from snow, to rain to brilliant sunshine and warmth. You could be wearing shorts in the day and wrapped up warm in front of the fire in the evening.
Bring mid-season hiking clothes, good hiking shoes and warm layers for the evenings.
The weather should warm up as the month goes on and we enter Spring. If you are brave, a beach or waterfall swim is possible!

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
🌿 The island all to yourself!

🌿 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 EAT • PAINT • LEARN ART RESIDENCY

RATES FOR 22 nights
€ 1450 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 Greek etymology lesson a week with Alexandros Hatzinotas
✚ 2 Greek cooking lessons with Cynthia Coussoulis
✚ 1 history art day (sketching, writing, photography...) with your guide Leah
✚ Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
✚ End of residency group presentation & drinks
✚ Regular hikes
✚ Sunday morning hike
✚ 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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