Joya: arte + ecología is an artists’ residency/opportunity based at Cortijada Los Gázquez, a ‘creative retreat/eco-guest house’ in the ‘Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez’ in Eastern Andalucía. Cortijada Los Gázquez, is an ‘off-grid’ location built around entirely ecological principles.

They are particularily looking for proposals which will utilise the land surrounding the cortijada in the form of permanent or ephemeral installations in any media or format.

The Cortijada Los Gázquez is now inviting artists to submit applications for the residency commencing in the autumn of 2011 through to autumn 2012.

Artists will have sole use of a thirty square meter studio and 20 hectares of land for a one to two week period. Accommodation and meals are included as is collection and return to the nearest public transport system. Resident artists will be featured on the Joya; arte + ecología web page, which will include biographical information and images. The work undertaken during the residency will also be documented and entered into their archive.

In return resident artists will be required to open their studio to Cortijada Los Gázquez‘s ’creative guests’ and talk with them about the issues that concern their work and their experiences as professional artists.

On completion of the residency artists will be asked to donate a small piece of the work (unless they have made a permanent or semi-permanent installation) they have created during the residency to the Joya: arte + ecología project.

Applicants should send an email/letter of application, saying briefly why they would like to come and what work they might make. The letter should include up to 3 links, where images etc. of the artist’s work can be found as well as the name and contact of someone who can act as a referee.

e-mail. info@losgazquez

post to. Simon Beckmann. Apdo. De Correos 4. 04830 Vélez Blanco. Almería. España.

website. http://www.losgazquez.com/en/joya/