Organizer Information

Founded in 2019 by Bart and Paulina Bielecki, REC.ON Spain is an independent, artist-run ecovillage and coliving art residency. The project stands as a pioneering model for rural revitalization, having transformed the century-old, abandoned stone buildings of a former goat farm into a functional center of true ecology, heritage preservation, and creative experimentation. Built on the core values of art, ecology, conscious community, and heritage, the village serves as a sanctuary for creators seeking to escape hyper-production cycles, recover from burnout, and reconnect with nature through mindful, sustainable living.

Title & Description

REC.ON Spain Art & Eco-Residency: October 2026 Cohort

REC.ON Spain has officially opened applications for its October 2026 residency block, inviting local and international creators to immerse themselves in a collaborative, environment-focused coliving village. Operating without a rigid or restrictive thematic framework, this open program allows residents from all disciplines to utilize the surrounding mountainous landscape, raw regional resources, and shared technical spaces to advance their independent studio work. The program is designed to foster deep interdisciplinary cross-pollination, blending self-directed creative experimentation with communal engagement, shared meals, and continuous ecological dialogue.

Categories

The residency operates under a fluid, multidisciplinary umbrella. It welcomes practices across

  • Visual Arts
  • Sculpture
  • Functional Upcycling
  • Material Crafts
  • Creative Writing, Research

Eligibility

  • Geographic Scope: Open globally to all national, regional, and international applicants.
  • Practice Level: Welcomes emerging makers, established environmental researchers, and independent creators looking for a dedicated spatial reset.
  • Project Adaptability: Ideal for individuals whose work interfaces with natural materials, rural architectures, or sustainable community frameworks.

Program Benefits

  • Ecological Accommodations: Private or shared lodging inside the uniquely, ecologically restored historic spaces of the stone farm village.
  • Technical Workspace Infrastructure: Full access to a specialized, practical technical workshop equipped for basic woodworking, metalworking, and advanced upcycling processes.
  • Exhibition Platform: Opportunity to present finished project prototypes, raw material research, or visual artworks inside the on-site REC.ON Gallery showcase space.
  • Conscious Community Lifecycle: Complete integration into an international peer network, including daily creative inspiration exchanges and shared communal meals.

Application Fee

  • Submission Cost: Free. There is no fee required to email an application dossier.
  • Residency Contribution Tiers: Because REC.ON Spain operates as an independent, self-funded, artist-run initiative, participants contribute a baseline fee to cover accommodation overhead, utility connections, and workshop maintenance. The funding tiers for the 4-week block are:
    • Standard Residency Fee: €980 per month for general creative projects, writing blocks, or digital nomad stays.
    • Special Eco & Zero-Waste Rate: Subsidized at €700 per month for selected projects that directly focus on environmental issues, bio-based construction methodologies, or the creative upcycling of local waste materials.

How to Apply?

Applicants must review the official application guidelines form, download or duplicate the document framework, complete all fields, and email their finalized dossier to the curatorial review committee.

Key Dates

  • Application Submission Deadline: September 12, 2026
  • Residency Running Window: October 1 – October 31, 2026 (4 full weeks)

Location

The physical residency is located live in Spain at:

  • REC.ON Spain Ecovillage, La Mata Bolaimi, Vélez-Rubio, Province of Almería, Andalusia, Spain

Additional Details

The village sits in the rustic, high-altitude enclave of Bolaimi, a quiet settlement composed of just 10 traditional houses. This secluded location offers immediate proximity and visual access to the protected landscapes of the Sierra de María-Los Vélez National Park, providing a rich testing ground for land art, outdoor photography, and deep ecological reflection away from standard urban distractions.

Website Link: https://rec-on.es/