photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Lisa Snook / ENG

‘I went to Joya: AiR to explore what it means to leave something behind. I am fascinated by the concept of transience and wanted to further my understanding of how embodied creative processes can heal old wounds and make space for new beginnings. Joya provided a welcoming home and incubator for all of these and more. What Donna and Simon offer is time, a rare commodity. Time to think, to be, to experiment and play, without objective or critique. Bliss.

During my residency I wanted to use the natural clay that is found in abundance around Joya.  I used bits of fallen wood for armature and made various figures, shapes and forms.  As always, some worked, some didn’t. I tried to adopt a more observant eye whilst working on these forms, noticing what emotions arose during the intimate process of moulding, smoothing and forming the clay. I definitely hit moments of unknowing. But as I began, what felt like ritual, placing the sculptures back in the landscape, returning the clay from where it came, I was immersed in a melancholy that felt more about what had been, as opposed to what was. I think the displacement of self in a place without distractions, allowed for a conduit to open between past and present, letting go of what was no longer needed. How utterly magical and transformative my time at Joya was. A heartfelt thanks to Donna and Simon for imagining and creating Joya: AiR’.

Lisa Snook

Lisa Snook studied at Chelsea School of Art (Foundation), studied a BA (Hons) Fine Art/ Art History at Goldsmiths University and an MA in Art Psychotherapy at IATE London. She is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Neide Carreira / PRT

‘Arriving at Joya: AiR I was a somewhat of an artist's block and struggling to find the balance to create amidst the grind of day-to-day worries and obligations. The vastness, calmness and beauty of this place struck me immediately, and it didn't take long for ideas to start pouring and for the will to paint to come back. I feel something in my practice has been reignited.

I spent the days hiking in incredible landscapes, sketching and photographing. From the photographs, studies and memories I collected, I would then work in the studio, producing several drawings and paintings and starting two series that I will now further develop.

These were days of silence and tranquility, where the only thing I “had” to do was reflect and create. The freedom , the time and the distance were truly a breather and what I experienced not only served as inspiration for the works I did there, but will do for many to come.

I really admire what Simon and Donna have created. Joya: AiR is a very special place’.

Neide Carreira

Neide Carreira is an artist based in Lisbon, Portugal. She studied in the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon, where she obtained her bachelor's degree. She has been exhibiting regularly since 2017, in Portugal and abroad (Italy, Poland, Japan, UK, etc). In 2022 she completed the intensive course on realistic oil painting in the Angel Academy, in Florence.
From Matter to Line, Galeria da Graça, Lisbon, Portugal and Art Olympia, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, are among the exhibitions she has participated in. She also counts with several awards and honourable mentions, such as 20th "Aveiro Jovem Criador" and the 5th "Infante D. Luís às Artes" Award.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Nina Zulian / BRA

‘During my week-long art residency at Joya: AiR, I had the privilege of immersing myself in an extraordinary environment. The whispers of the wind blended harmoniously with the melodious songs of birds, creating a symphony that resonated with the presence of almond and olive trees, as well as vibrant flowers adorning the arid soil. Watching the colourful sunset alongside my fellow residents was an unforgettable memory.

The atmosphere promoted a deep sense of tranquility, encouraging introspection and providing the perfect setting for reading, writing, and deep contemplation.

Aside from the inspiring setting, the unique community of residents who quickly became my close friends made this place even more special. Participating in critical social discussions on various current issues became integral to my daily routine. These interactions were transformative, enriching my experience and expanding my perspectives.

Witnessing Simon's extraordinary artwork was also inspiring, but what impressed me was his unwavering dedication to sustainability. His commitment to creating a space that positively impacted the climate, including the implementation of restoration agriculture and exclusive reliance on renewable solar energy, demonstrated a deep sense of environmental responsibility.

Likewise, the presence of Donna, not only an impressive artist but also a creator of delicious recipes that delighted the senses with captivating aromas and flavors, added an extra layer of beauty to the overall experience.

This artist residency at Joya was truly unforgettable, and I sincerely thank Donna and Simon for creating such a unique and remarkable environment. And also to Yvonne and Frida for contributing to the joyous atmosphere.

Nina Zulian

As the founder of Plural magazine, Nina has spent three years exploring contemporary design, art, and craft. Her passion is to make these fields accessible to everyone and promote a circular model that reimagines waste as a valuable raw material. She creates narratives that highlight the social and historical significance of these practices, encouraging critical thinking and preserving traditional knowledge.
Through Plural magazine, she has connected with creatives and industry professionals worldwide, all committed to driving circularity. Currently, she is enrolled in the International Curatorial Program at the Node Center in Berlin, and she holds a Master's in Editorial Design from ELISAVA in Barcelona. She has recently been invited to serve as a jury member for the second time at Apexart, reviewing over 50 proposals and helped select five exhibitions. In collaboration with The Beach, a social design studio, she is working to empower women in Amsterdam's Osdorp area to achieve economic independence through design and craftsmanship while emphasising the circular economy. As someone who has lived in Canada, Spain, and The Netherlands, she has met many new cultures. With her international perspective, combined with her Brazilian and Italian nationality and current Amsterdam residency, she brings a diverse vision to her curation work.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Vicky Luengo / ESP

idiomas castellano e ingles:

‘Voy a echar de menos el silencio que hay en Joya; hace mucho tiempo que no estaba rodeada de un silencio parecido. La vida fluye en armonía con la naturaleza, las horas que pasas en tu estudio, los paseos por el campo, la deliciosa comida cocinada por Donna y las conversaciones con las demás residentes. Vine en busca de paz, creatividad y enfoque, y me voy con todo eso y habiendo conocido a personas maravillosas. Siempre estaré agradecida a Simon y Donna por recibirme en su hogar’.

‘I'm going to miss the silence that exists in Joya; it's been a while since I've been surrounded by such a similar silence. Life moves in harmony with nature, the hours spent in your studio, walks in the countryside, the delicious food cooked by Donna, and conversations with the other residents. I came seeking peace, creativity, and focus, and I leave with all of that, having met wonderful people. I’ll always be grateful to Simon and Donna for welcoming me into their home’.

Vicky Luengo

Vicky ha sido actriz desde que tenía 16 años. Ha trabajado en 18 obras de teatro profesional y varias películas o series de televisión. Su verdadera pasión es el teatro y el espacio escénico, donde cree que reside la base del oficio de actor. Se formó como actriz en varias escuelas de Barcelona y Madrid. El último montaje teatral que ha realizado ha sido EL GOLEM, escrito por Juan Mayorga (Premio Princesa de Asturias de las Letras 2022), por el que fue nominada a mejor actriz en los premios de la Asociación Española de Artes Escénicas. Este año también estrenó la película SURO, por la que fue nominada a Mejor Actriz Protagónica en los Premios Goya.

Vicky has been an actress since she was 16 years old. She has worked in 18 professional theater plays and several movies or television series. Her real passion is the theater and scenic space, where she believes the basis of the actor's trade resides. She trained as an actress in various schools in Barcelona and Madrid. The last theater performance she has made was EL GOLEM, written by Juan Mayorga (Princess of Asturias Award for Literature 2022), for whichshe was nominated for best actress at the Spanish Association of Performing Arts awards. This year she also also premiered the film SURO, for whichshe was nominated for Best Leading Actress at the Goya Awards.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Yun-Jung Hsieh / TWN

‘I took this chance to do a project based on the idea of locality-focused via natural dyeing and weaving following previous interests and the concept of my thesis — Into the Skin (2021). During my one-week stay, I did a few walking to the surrounding area, picked up different natural resources, for example, soil and plant as dyeing material, and dyed the yarn into several color shades. As I planned to keep the process simple due to time limitations, I skipped the proper process for extracting dye baths and mordanting, so the final results were probably not the best in terms of the binding between fiber and colorants.

And, one thing very different from what I thought it would be was the final presentation of the dyed yarn. Instead of making several small samples with my little frame loom, I built up a loom, which I need to squat and bend my back to use due to lack of function, and made a larger wall-hanging piece out of it. Though many details could still be improved, this was my first time trying to set up the loom and warp by myself, and was very pleased with this mixed-media installation I made within a day.

My stay during the residency in short was experiencing unexpected things, including the weather, lifestyle, and my way of work. I felt the rainy days here in June (which was not supposed to happen), witnessed the huge double rainbow, and patted the gentlest dog (Frida) I‘ve met in my life so far. The organic creating flow ran through my brain and hands, enabling me to release my stress and just focus on the making of the textile itself’.

Yun-Jung Hsieh

Yun-Jung graduated from Aalto University with her master's thesis -- Into the Skin, research on sustainability and locality with a textile production sponsored by a local natural dye company published in 2021. Her work was then displayed in the co-exhibition -- Kinship (2022) with Praejeen Kunawong in Helsinki, and the group exhibition -- Dialogues (2023) curated by aaltotextiles in Espoo. Besides, the textile production from her thesis work was brought to the FutureBase international textile competition (2022) held by ITHIB in Turkey. The onion-dyed textiles she designed were re-produced on an industrial scale by a local mill and were made into garments by a local fashion house, which later got showcased during the final night in Istanbul.

Yun-Jung Hsieh

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Ciska Meister / DEU

‘The residency at Joya: AiR completely surpassed my expectations of what a residency can do for me and my practice. This place is so entangled with the world-building I am currently thinking through; not only in how to live climate-positively but also in how to align yourself with your natural surroundings in a responsive way. The building is made of the stuff it is surrounded by, it extends tentacles into clay and grass, hoping to be its companion, hoping to enter a union. The residency's environment is an invitation to stand still and listen with a keen ear. Being severed from the high-paced, ever-productive artist-, filmmaker- and city-life allowed me to newly find much-needed joy in being creative. At Joya, being productive wasn't a task or a chore, it came to me unobtrusively and encouragingly. What Donna and Simon have created here gives me hope for so many possible exciting futures. And, last but not least; Donna's food was simply mind-altering’.

Ciska Meister

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Merritt Spangler / USA

‘Upon arriving at Joya: AiR, I was immediately inspired by Simon & Donna’s commitment to both ecology and artists. This sustainable way of living, outside what we conventionally think of as society, deeply impacted me despite my brief stay at the residency. With new eyes I could see the life, both as an artist and a human being, that I’ve long desired to embody. Surrounded by snails on the property, I was reminded to move about my day slowly and methodically (that is to say with intention). This experience will impact my art practice for years to come. And I must not forget to mention Donna’s incredible cooking, as it is because of her commitment to evening feasts that I was able to connect so deeply with the other artists at Joya: AiR. I can only hope to experience La Joya again in the future’!

Merritt Spangler

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Ilinca Fechete / ROM

‘The precious time spent at Joya: AiR has been a truly unique gift and opportunity that has allowed me to engage in learnings of the self as deeply as in furthering my work in a tremendously rich environment - navigating consciously out of the usual distractions and demands of daily life - Joya has also gifted me time with the most deeply touching humans all whilst nourished with the most healthiest homemade dishes’.

Ilinca Fechete

Born in Romania in 2002, and growing up tri-lingually on the southern coasts of Canada, Ilinca Fechete’s artistic practice emphasizes conceptual methods to engage in political reflections and geopolitical preoccupations. Based in Munich, Germany since 2020 in new media at the Academy of Fine Arts, spacial concepts at the HBK, Ilinca is a recipient of the DAAD scholarship, the Max-Ernst Prize, and a scholarship holder of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Folkes and the John Templar Canadian Artist Award. Ilinca’s recent artistic publications have been exhibited at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, Karl & Faber Auction Haus, and the Max Ernst Museum des LVR. She is currently a part of the international artist collective 2.5 and co-organizes the academic lecture series, Jour Fixe of the Academy of Fine Arts Munich.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Odile Blanc / CHE

“Writing at Joya means writing on the sun, on a well or in the shade of an olive tree. It's finding refuge in a studio open to the outside world, the valley and the threats of storms. It's running during a break, on dirt tracks, through pine forests, almond and olive groves. It's sharing coffee, wine and fascinating discussions with inspiring friends, watching the dawn, and writing, writing before the sound of the bell announces the evening meal, cooked by the local culinary artist and host. It's about being inspired by the aridity of the land, by the sensations and emotions that run through: Joya inspires and, I believe, marks the existence, thanks to Simon and Donna”.

Odile Blanc

Odile graduated from the University of Geneva and the EPFL with a master's degree in art history (2019), specialising in architectural theory.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Femke Bosma / NED

Arriving at Joya: AiR felt a lot like a release of tension. The pressure to move with the speed of daily city life immediately fell away and I would eat breakfast in the sun and enjoy the silence. In those moments I was able to reflect on my life back home and the way I had been working for the past years.
I remember the silence alternating with having fun with the wonderful people that where at Joya during my stay. Playing card games, eating great meals together, watching films and walking around the beautiful hills. I also had a lot of fun returning  to experimentation with photography, which was a bit of a surprise as someone who works mainly with audio. But it had meant I felt the freedom to follow the creative hunch that I felt while at Joya.

Femke Bosma

Femke studied crossmedia design at ArtEz Enschede. She focussed on audio-installations that combined documentary interviewing with sound design and location specific experiences.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / William O’Neill / IRE

While on residency at Joya: AiR, I planned to do one thing and then another happened instead! Breaking with my normal studio routine I made faster and looser still life paintings which I wouldn't have done if it were not for the inspirational and atmospheric surrounds where the residency is located.

Daytime, artists go off and focus on their work and then at night come together for banter AND to experience the incredible vegetarian dishes created by one of the hosts; Donna. I'm not a vegetarian but her food made me consider being one! 

If you're looking for a residency that's remote and gives you a feeling of escapism Joya is for you. The building, an old farmhouse, is perfect too, a testament to Simon's eco-friendly yet design-conscious eye with studios for all artists.

William O’Neill

@_williamoneill_ is an Irish painter who specializes in still life's. His paintings, which are process driven, are carefully considered compositional arrangements based on banal and simple everyday objects. The scenes he creates, photographs and then paints are fuelled by an interest in minimalism, the history of painting and the materiality of paint.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Lesley-Ann O’Connell / IRE

I loved my residency at Joya Air.  The landscape is spectacular, it’s very remote and I was struck immediately by its silence.  I did the residency jointly with my partner and we brought our young son.  While it was challenging for us to create work under the circumstances, we took turns in giving each other quality time to absorb the place and create. I did a number of figurative drawings of scenes that captured my gaze, taking out my pastels to draw what was in front of me without overthinking.  I enjoyed the freedom of a limited time frame and site-specific task and it showed me how much can be achieved with restricted time and a small bit of focus.  This marked a break in my abstract painting practice.     

Joya: AiR is an immense credit to Simon and Donna.  They've created a superb space, blending their beautiful Modernist yet traditional set-up with the surrounding landscape with huge integrity.  Simon’s understanding of the ecology of the area and awareness of our impact on climate change has made me rethink a lot of my own habits and how they can be improved.  Donna’s vegetarian cooking was so delicious! Wow, I looked forward to those meals every evening. Both Simon and Donna were very accommodating to our needs during our stay.

Lastly, one of the best parts of the residency was the people we met, given the communal nature of the set-up.  All were from a variety of different artistic backgrounds and places.  They were so interesting and fun to hang around with.  It jolted me out of my post-covid, post-baby social slump!  

Lesley Anne O’Connell

Kevin Kavanagh gallery-Lesley-Ann O'Connell

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Kathy Bussert-Webb / USA

Participating in the Joya: AiR residency changed my practice. I went from having every machine and tool in my U.S. studio to improvising, e.g., making paper with no blender, mould and deckle, or fabric (for blotting and couching), and using only a gallon of water total (3.8 liters) to conserve Joya resources. The texture and found objects on the Joya-made paper were more compelling! And since I had no sewing machine, I hand-stitched on paper, fabric, and sticks. Having access to every comfort in my U.S. studio made me complacent, so Joya pushed me to reveal my mark-making, making me feel vulnerable - naked, yet free as an artist. This opening in tools and materials also shifted my didactic work on eco-feminism and veganism to abstraction and playfulness on the same themes. I thank Simon and Donna for their hospitality, rides, conversations, input, and divine food, as well as Joya residents and hiking buddies for risk-taking with me. Last, I want to thank nature for being so generous.

Kathy Bussert-Webb 

Dr. Kathy received a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in  studio art in May 2022. Kathy was a fellow at the Chautauqua School of Visual Arts (Chautauqua, NY), Azule (Hot Springs, NC), Art Farm (Marquette, NE), Elsewhere Studios (Paonia, CO), and Joya. She will complete a September 2023 national park residency at the Homestead National
Historical Park (Beatrice, NE). She has exhibited in several national/international juried and non-juried shows and has initiated several socially engaged art experiences with children and adults. Her solo shows include her MFA exhibition at UT-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV, March 2022), the Art Hub (May 2022), and the Brownsville Performing Arts Academy (June 2022). She published her art and poems/essays about it in U.S. peer-reviewed journals and two art reviews and an interview in GlassTire, a Texas art magazine. Dr. Kathy holds a Ph.D. in
Language Education from Indiana University, Bloomington. She is Professor Emeritus in UTRGV’s Bilingual and Literacy Studies Department, a Slemp Endowed Chair of Community Engagement, and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Honduras). In May 2023 she walked 200 miles in nature on the Camino Portuguese (from Porto) and received a Compostela certificate in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Sarah Phenix / USA

“During my time at Joya: AiR I reconnected with slowness, play, and re envisioned my art practice with the use of natural materials. I had the opportunity to go for long hikes every day and create within the landscape. After, I shared findings and conversation with artists I admire over Donna’s incredible cooking. This space helped me to engage with creating with the land in mind, with sustainability as a possibility. Joya: AiR was a beautiful and regenerative place for me.”

Sarah Phenix

Sarah Phenix is interested in connecting others through her relationship to the environment and her personal processing of loss and regeneration. She received the Bridges Fellowship from BAVC Media and worked with Other Cinema in 2018-2019 in assisting in running their 16mm archive. Her work has been shown and screened at Southern Exposure, The Roxie Theater, Image Flow, and more. Her work has been featured in Analog Cookbook, Nowhere Diary and Brooklyn Vegan Magazine (NY). She currently co-directs an analog production company, Rainbow Tunnel, hosting film workshops, screenings and creating independent film projects in the Bay Area, and is preparing for a show at the Mills Museum for Spring 2023.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Zoe Toakley / AUS

“Being at Joya: AiR was a fantastic experience that I am already missing. It was so fabulous to meet so many new and inspiring people over the 4 weeks I spent there, I feel so lucky to have been able to make connections with such amazing people from all over. 

Time has a way of moving very slowly at Joya, but it’s a wonderful way to work where you feel no pressure or rush but everything just flows quite naturally. I feel creatively re-energised and was able to build a foundation of work that I am very happy with. 

Thank you a million times to Donna and Simon for fostering this creative environment, and in such a beautiful space. It was so comfortable, nourishing, welcoming and open”. 

Zoe Toakley

Zoe Toakley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Majoring in painting at the National Art School, Sydney


EXHIBITIONS AND PRIZES

2022 – The Other Art Fair (New Futures Prize), The Cutaway, Barangaroo

2022 – CustomMad feature in recently renovated house, Balmain

2021 – I Came To See, Exchange Square, Barangaroo

2021 – Group show, The Allambee Club, Yass

2021 – Lost and found, aMBUSH Gallery, Sydney

2019 – aMBUSH Gallery Prize

2019 - National Art School Graduate Show – Drawing exhibition, Sydney

2019 – National Art School Graduate Show, Sydney

2019 – Enigma (Group Show), National Art School Library Stairwell Gallery, Sydney

2018 – Landscape (Group Show), National Art School Hoff Space, Sydney

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Suman Gujral / GBR

“Being at Joya: AiR gave me the luxury of time to reflect on my practice through working, walking, thinking and discussing my work with other creatives, in a beautiful, peaceful location.  At home, all my time is accounted for but here I was free to decide moment by moment what I wanted to do, which was very liberating. What I loved was walking every day and breathing in the peace and beauty surrounding me. The immediate impact of my residency is that it has made me feel very connected to the earth and even more aware of how we need to protect it. I can't explain how uplifting it is to be at Joya - you will have to come and see for yourself”.

Suman Gujral

https://sumangujral.bigcartel.com

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Jason Haberman / CAN

"The short stay I had at Joya: AiR was like a dream. When I got there I was greeted in the most welcoming yet casual way that I instantly felt a part of something bigger. The dry mountain air felt like clay on my skin. The smell of lavender and rosemary followed me wherever I went. It took a few days to discover how truly special the landscape I was immersed in was. So much passion and care go into every inch of the land and witnessing this made my imagination run wild. A truly humbling experience. I have so much respect and endless gratitude for Simon and Donna. The energy they cultivate here inspired me for a lifetime not only as an artist but as a human being. Thank you"

Jason Haberman

Jason Haberman is a multi-instrumentalist / artist and musician from Toronto ON. 

In 2021 he released a full length experimental ambient L.P. with musician Isaac Symonds called 'Natura Sophia' and he has found much success and following within the ambient music community. With averaging 35k listeners a month and playlist spots such as Lava Lamp, Music For Plants, Electronica Romantica Jason says ‘I feel like my reach to more fans is closer then its ever been’. 

in the Fall of 2022 he released his second solo album called VOYA that has been described as "Exotica music for warm baths" - Brian Borcherdt (Holy Fuck)

Aside from his solo career as 'Yaehsun' he is a touring musician and has recorded / toured in bands such as Dan Mangan, Zeus, Jason Collett, The Wooden Sky, Dusted, Yukon Blonde, Jose Contreras and more.

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Romas Tauras / LTU

‘Splendid isolation in the great emptiness of the Altiplano Maria Los Velez in Spain. Painters privilege Northern light for its constancy. There’s everything to be said however for a vast studio window facing East. Every day begins with a sun salutation. Very grateful to Joya: AiR for making this space, and so much nourishment for body, mind and spirit available to me during my residency. All this in the ‘Grande Vacío’ of the Spanish interior. Where there is nothing. And everything.

El Grande Vacio has been designated noplace, a non-place. Socioeconomically it is a blank. People, industry, even agriculture have all flocked to the coasts. There is nothing to see here, and every day feels the same. And yet there is an infinite array of tones in the smallest piece of flint, the wildflowers are tiny dashes of pure saturated colour. And here are Simon and Donna, self-sufficient - thriving in fact - in a climate that conventionally deemed inhospitable. The future is here in La Joya, and they embody it’.

Romas Tauras

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Lucy Ridges/ GBR

‘I came to Joya: AiR for a short time only, without any heavy expectations of what I wanted to get done. I came with a few loose new ideas I wanted to work on, and a couple of almost-completed projects that I wanted to think over, consider, and complete. 

From the moment I arrived, I felt calm and welcomed, and I knew it was going to be a great week. There’s a real energy to the place, everyone is cracking on and doing their thing, but there’s a really beautiful atmosphere of sharing, support, and friendship. 

Donna’s cooking was a highlight! Some of the tastiest, most nutritious, wholesome food I’ve ever eaten. Meal after meal was just incredible. Sharing meals together in the evenings with the other artists quickly became one of my favourite times of the day. Enhancing the sense of community that I was already feeling. 

I’m really happy with the work I ended up producing, my studio was ample sized and filled with loads of natural light. I felt like I had so much time to breathe, in a way that I don’t really get at home. I love residencies for their ability to take you to a different place with your creativity, without distractions. The location is great, most afternoons I went for a big walk in the beautification surroundings.

I had some lovely talks with the other artists and writers, and it felt so nice to talk through my ideas with other people, who gave a different perspective to the work. 

I really hope to return to Joya: AiR soon! Thanks so much Donna and Simon. 

Lucy Ridges

photo Simon Beckmann

Joya: AiR / Kate Langrish Smith / GBR

‘I arrived at Joya: AiR excited by the prospect and luxury of spending two weeks immersed in a rural landscape, with other artists who would be living, exploring and experiencing this alongside me. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the countryside of the Sierra Maria as we drove to the Cortijada surrounded by magnificent mountains, almond trees and the parched white terrain. 

This parched white terrain was, as Simon informed me, mainly clay based  - and would form the focus of my creative exploration over my stay through collecting, processing, experimenting and then forming into vessels, inspired by the artefacts in Donna and Simons home and the surrounding materials. 

Joya: AiR enabled me to connect with the landscape and its ecology, the other residents, to share interests, creative practices and passions. This is supported by the vision, energy, care and nourishment that Simon and Donna create as part of an embodied expanded creative practice and home - exploring, learning, understanding and responding to the landscape and their place in it, and through compassionately sharing this space and knowledge, and encouraging and allowing others to explore and respond in their own unique way. A truly inspiring, energising and nourishing experience. 

I look forward to being able to return one year to collect and play with more clay and other local materials and possibly even fire work in the kiln’! 

Kate Langrish - Smith