INTENTION OF THE RESIDENCY The intention is to create an engaging, collaborative and inclusive learning environment, that emphases drawing, the local land and culinary practices. The focus is on relationship building between the residents as well as with the local community. The residency also aims to foster a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of our environment and of our place within the natural world. The visceral experience of being part of an ecosystem promotes a mindset that is regenerative rather than extractive, and in harmony with the environment. The tactile experiences of manual drawing and active engagement with the Tuscan land are used as pathways to mindfulness, aiming to boost artists' motivation and alleviate mental health challenges that many of us face in today’s fast-paced, competitive digital age. Nature provides the necessary slowness to enhance creativity. Collective creative exploration and drawing will be an important factor in the relational processes, where the residents are to experiment, learn and create together. METHODOLOGY Cross-pollination between residents will be fostered through various multi-sensory experiences. Values such as trust, respect, and deep listening, fostering spaces where all voices are valued, are crucial to this initiative. Artistic process, creative exchange, critical thinking, exploration and experimentation are prioritized over tangible outcomes. Creativity is seen as a deeply inherent human and spiritual expression, allowing individuals to connect with their true selves and with each other on a authentic level. Meditation and drawing will be approached as ways to tap into the subconscious and in order to process emotions and day-to-day experiences. Each resident is expected to connect their artistic exploration to the local community or/ and the land/ environment of the region. An openness and curiosity to experimentation and exploration is key to getting the most out of this residency. A carefully curated program with activities and excursions will guide the artists through the residency, supporting their creative process and strengthening the residency's intentions. DRAWING WORKSHOPS One of the core activities of this residency is participating in regular drawing workshops, which serve as tools to explore our relationships with each other and various subjects. The process of drawing can be meditative, and can bring the artist into a state of being in the present moment, exploring the subconscious and discovering the unlimited creative potential that everyone has. These workshops will include meditative drawing, connecting through drawing, still life drawing, and movement/performative drawing. After each workshop, there will be time for reflection and sharing individual experiences. The aim is for these drawing workshops to act as catalysts, supporting the development of an authentic and intuitive creative process that can aid artists in their individual work. WORKSHOPS BY RESIDENTS Each of the residents, as well as the organizers, are expected to take a moment during the residency to organize a workshop for the group. This can be to share practical knowledge about their creative process, or to share broader concepts, ideas, or values they live by. The format can be any that the participant feels comfortable with, such as a talk, an interact ive workshop, a nature walk, meditation, a performance, a game, etc. The idea is to foster active and engaged participation from each resident, offering insight into their artistic practice and ideas, and allowing for cross-pollination and exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing. This is also an important part of relating to each other, building bonds and connections, and fostering a sense of community among the residents. CHECK-INS AND SHARING An important part of community building among the residents and relating to each other is openness, sharing and transparency. This is achieved through morning check-ins at 10 a.m. each day. During these sessions, we share how we are feeling, what is moving through us, and any insights, new findings, joy or challenges we encounter, all within a curious and non- judgmental environment. This practice of active listening, where a person can share freely without direct reactions, feedback or follow-up conversations. This allows the person sharing to feel heard and supported by the group, and helps align the group and fosters a sense of trust. NATURE AND FOOD CULTURE This residency invites artists to connect with nature, the local land and the food culture of Tuscany. To engage with the local environment, it is important to first understand our location and explore the nature around La Tegolaia. Activities such as walks, experimental exercises and foraging will encourage artists to connect with their surroundings. We will visit a local farm to get a better understanding of the regional agriculture traditions and organic farming. A key aspect of community building are the seemingly insignificant collective activities like cooking, buying food, setting the table, conversing and sharing over meals and cleaning together. Previous residencies have shown that the magic often happens during these unexpected moments.