Nestled between the countryside and the ocean, the Craveiral Farmhouse is located in São Teotónio, Alentejo, Portugal, and is part of the Blank Residency project, which is the result of a partnership with the London-based platform Blank100.
The project aims to offer guest artists accommodation and a workplace that goes far beyond the walls of an office. One of the purposes is to encourage them to develop their creativity outdoors. The Craveiral Farmhouse has already been the artistic residence of a group, according to Beatriz Neto, director of operations.
The program was carried out for the first time between January 5 and 26, 2021, thanks to a partnership proposed by Carla Benzing, German curator, and Nadine Cordial, who intend not only to foster creativity, but also to increase the sharing of ideas among artists. Another important goal is to stimulate the use of sustainable and reusable products.
1. A creative and inspiring project
Blank100 is a project supporting artistic exchange, started in a former furniture factory in Dalston, London. In just 15 months, Blank100 has developed exhibitions, talks, and events, connecting several visual artists.
The Craveiral Farmhouse provides each artist with an apartment, working materials, and the possibility to create outdoors. The program also intends to include lectures, activities and group dinners with the goal of promoting interaction among the participants.
To the first edition attended Alice Morey and Dennis Buck from Germany, Gonçalo Sena from Portugal, Marlene Huissoud from France, and Violetta Ehnsperg from Austria, “artists who used, for example, a tree trunk and a fishbone for their creations,” said Beatriz Neto. “This creative retreat will again receive artists between February 1 and 27, 2022, with an event on the 26th of that month, where several works of art will be on display.”
2. The bet on the planet’s improvement and sustainability
The concept that guides Blank100 is straight forward. The belief in the community, the conviction that the right platform is necessary for ideas to flow, and the respect for nature. One of the goals of the Craveiral Farmhouse, as a partner in this project, was to present itself as a space for reflection and creativity, with nature as a backdrop, in times of pandemic. Now more than ever it wishes to continue with the initiative, which aims to bring together artists from all over Europe, giving them a space to create.
According to Beatriz Neto, an important objective of the project is “the improvement and sustainability of our planet”. A goal that will certainly become more and more concrete as more editions are added. On the other hand, in each edition, the artists who are part of the initiative are invited to leave one of their works at the Craveiral FarmHouse, and some of the rooms are decorated with those pieces of art.
Known for its magnificent wild beaches and natural parks, the Alentejo region entices the artistic approach of each work to be different. Because of its unique nature, the Alentejo inspires refined creation.
This artistic retreat mainly supports those who wish to improve their environmental impact by using more natural and ecological materials, as well as betting on recycling processes. In short, the respect for nature at Craveiral Farmhouse is key. One detail that is worth mentioning is that the apartments are self-sufficient and if artists want, they are free to use and cultivate the orchards.
3. Other activities
The Craveiral Farmhouse offers the opportunity to admire landscapes cradled by the warm breeze of the Alentejo. At the farmhouse, time seems to stop and there are moments when the only thing you can hear are the birds. Besides the pleasure of doing nothing, you can enjoy a diversity of experiences that range from horseback riding, quad biking, yoga, and picking fresh produce from the vegetable garden.
You can also have picnics, bike tours and jeep rides, canoeing, fishing, scuba diving, and paddling. I would also like to point out that at Craveiral, the concept “from the vegetable garden to the table” is being created by Chef Alexandre Silva, holder of a Michelin star.
Soon the Craveiral FarmTable will be launched. It will have outdoor tables, in a wonderful communion with nature, betting on what is authentic, cooking with 70% of ingredients from the garden and orchard and 30% ingredients from producers in the Odemira region. If you want excellent and healthy meals, this is the right place.
If you have children, there are also activities available for them. If you would like to take your dog or cat on vacation, Craveiral is pet friendly, having created the ideal conditions to welcome your best friend.
In short, the Craveiral Farmhouse is creative space which values ideas, nature and art, and where, thanks to the partnership with Blank100, guests can interact with artists. They will have the privilege of observing the evolution of each work firsthand, while enjoying a unique space in deep connection with nature, always with eyes set on the plain and feet resting on the soil.
