RESIDENCIES & RETREATS - FAQs

​TIME OUT FOR THE BURNT OUT: REDISCOVERING YOUR CREATIVITY- Artist Development Residency

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TLDR - what is this? PlayWell Productions is offering this one week subsidised residency in order to better facilitate and unlock creativity and provide rural respite for urban artists, particularly those on low incomes.

 

Where is it: Hill View Cottages, Carmarthenshire

Hill View Holidays is a pairing of two 4 star cottages resting in the rural outskirts of the village of Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire. The residency will be held in Garden View, a 2 bed cottage accommodating 2 dogs, with its own hot tub. With views across fields and hills, this peaceful retreat is the perfect place to allow your creative mind to wander. The hot tub provides a place to relax and wind down after a hard days’ creativity! Further info about the cottage can be found at https://www.hillviewholidayswestwales.com 

 

Please note there are chickens and a very curious cat onsite!

 

How do I get there? 

By car - there is parking at the cottage and we will send directions for anyone driving.

By public transport - the nearest train station is Carmarthen, a 35 minute taxi ride (20 miles) and about an hour away by direct bus. Aberystwyth is about an hour away (30 miles) and 90 minutes by bus.

 

What’s included?

Your own cottage including bedding and towels plus access to a hot tub. You’ll take care of your travel arrangements, toiletries and any additional trips you’d like to make. You'll have your own kitchen to cater from (we're happy to take advance delivery of any online food order you wish to make - to be discussed once residency confirmed:

 

In addition, you can:

>Cook breakfast with fresh eggs from our rescue hens 

>Enjoy a mid afternoon pick me up with a herbal tea picked fresh from our garden (seasonality depending)

>Make yourself lunch from a home baked loaf

>Treat yourself to some homemade cake

 

Is there WiFi?

Yep!

 

Is the cottage accessible?

We’re really sorry, but the cottage isn’t wheelchair friendly. Please note there are stairs to access the bedrooms. If you have any questions regarding the cottages drop us a line at steph@playwellproductions.co.uk with the header RESIDENCY.

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Can I bring my dog?

Yes, Garden View can accommodate up to 2 dogs - please let us know if you intend to bring any pets.

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Who is running the residency?

Steph, a theatre producer and PlayWell’s founder. She will be on hand for a 1-2-1 if you’d like to talk through where you’re at, any ideas you’re working on etc. She, along with her partner Chris, will also share with you the outdoor mindfulness on offer, including wild crafts and local walks.

 

Steph is a theatre, festival and events producer with over 15 years’ experience in commissioning, fundraising and producing. Her favourite part of the process is when working with an artist to nurture their idea.

 

Chris is a horticulturalist and conservation site manager, with over two decades’ experience with designing and maintaining outdoor spaces and delivering outdoor activities. 

 

What is outdoor mindfulness? 

It could be something as simple as going on a plant walk, noting what is growing across the 1 acre site. It could be sitting and enjoying chicken TV - a surprisingly enjoyable way to let your mind wander! Or perhaps you want to help make a fire, build a bird or bug box, learn how to prune - or just go for a stroll in the local forest.

 

Why is it helpful?

We know that being in nature is grounding; that focusing a hands-on task provides a mental pause, pulling our mind away from other worries; that taking a long work allows allows our mind to wander, making it ripe to receive new ideas.

 

Do I have to produce something by the end?

This residency is not output driven - if all you come away with is a clearer mind and an idea of where you want to go or what you do next, then great! We do ask that you leave us:

1) something inspired by your stay (a monologue, a poem, a sketch, some thoughts etc) that we can use to inspire future residency participants 

2) a testimonial or short description of your experience of your residency 

 

What if I have a question not covered by these FAQs?

Drop us a line at steph@playwellproductions.co.uk with the header RESIDENCY

 

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