The Residency

The Mawddach Residency provides the opportunity for selected artists-in-residence to fully immerse themselves in their work. We offer one two-week residency every month and welcome artists, writers and musicians of all kinds to apply as individual applicants or as part of a group of up to four. 

The residency is aimed at those furthering their artistic practice and artists working at a professional level, providing a fortnight working without distraction in a dedicated studio on the banks of the Mawddach Estuary. You can find details of the residency below and read more about how to apply here.

The Studio

The bright, north facing studio arguably has the best view in the house, with a window seat for you to enjoy a morning cup of tea while watching the sun rise over the estuary.
Alongside the stunning view, the studio is equipped with  travel and studio easels, folding tables, desk, daylight lamp, drying rack, drawing boards, and a printer-scanner. There is also a small etching press that can be used on request.
​As practicing artists we have a lot of equipment, so if you need to borrow any equipment for your stay, just ask! ​

The Accomodation

Artists-in-residence have their own private rooms on the top floor of the house including one double bedroom and one twin/double bedroom, providing space for up to 4 artists or for a parent-artist to bring their family. There is a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with bath & shower and a cosy living room with an open fire. 
We have filled the walls with our collection of prints, drawings and paintings, and the shelves are stacked with art books, wildlife reference, poetry and fairytales.

Your Hosts

The Mawddach Residency is founded on an attitude of hospitality and the idea that we can all be supported to make our best work in a welcoming and friendly environment. The self-contained residency rooms sit on the top floor of a house owned by the Cromarty family, above the home and studios of hosts Jake Spicer and Scarlett Rebecca, in Arthog, Gwynedd.
JAKE
Jake is an artist, drawing tutor and author of instructional drawing books. He is head tutor of Draw Brighton and runs the Draw online programme from his studio in Mawddach Crescent.
website    instagram
SCARLETT
Scarlett is a printmaker, specialising in lithography and relief print processes. She works from her printmaking studio at St John's Hall Gallery in Barmouth.
website    instagram

Accessibility, Food & Travel

While we aim to make the residency as accessible as possible, the accommodation and studio is at the top of a period building with no wheelchair accessibility. If you'd like to apply and have particular accessibility needs, please do let us know and we will do our best to make sure your needs are accommodated. 

FOOD
Residents are responsible for their own meals, although we are always keen to share a tea break and biscuits! Asda & Tesco deliveries can be ordered directly to the house and there are Co-ops in nearby Barmouth & Dolgellau. 

TRAVEL BY TRAIN
We are fortunate enough to be within walking distance of the Morfa Mawddach request stop on the famously picturesque Cambrian Line. We encourage visitors to come by train to limit their carbon footprint and we can meet you at the station. 

TRAVEL BY CAR
For any visitors coming by car, parking is available at the front of the house, at the end of a short private road.

Local Area & Weather

The Crescent is imbedded in nature and looks out across the Mawddach river estuary, with the front of the house just metres from the river wall. The sea and Fairbourne beach lie three miles to the West and to the South wooded hills rise up above Arthog towards the mountain of Cadair Idris. The tidal estuary is in constant flux, revealing sand bars at its lowest ebb which the water swallows twice-daily. The weather is reliably changeable, with the estuary often creating a wedge of blue sky between the cloud-topped mountain ranges either side. 
​Mawddach is pronounced M-ow-th-ach, (th as in leather, and ch as in loch.)