Applications for the Artist Residency program are now closed.

Our Artist-in-Residence program welcomes artists and writers working in a variety of mediums and genres to live and work in the historic center of Padula, immersing themselves in our way of life here and becoming part of the fabric of the community for the duration of their stay.  There are no required activities for participants. We trust that residents will use their time in the way that best fuels their creative practice, whether that be to reflect and dream, work and produce, or experiment and play.

Residency periods last for 18 days, with the possibility for an artist to combine two sessions in order to have a longer stay.

We offer each artist a private room and a luminous private studio space. We currently host between 6 and 8 artists at a time.  We can also accommodate artist couples/pairs who wish to share living and/or working spaces. 

Residents are invited to be our guests at a group dinner every week. All other meals are the resident's responsibility. The kitchens will be supplied with staple items (olive oil, salt, flour, etc.) where you can prepare meals at home. For other options, Padula has several small cafes (for a coffee and cornetto in the morning or an aperitivo in the afternoon) and one restaurant in the historic center. ​

Accessibility

Please be aware that our village is on a hilltop:​ you must walk either up or down steep inclines, stone steps and narrow cobble-stone streets in order to access housing, the studios, local historic sites, and all shops, restaurants, etc. 

What our artists-in-residence are saying...

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 My time in Padula was extraordinary! The food, the town, the people - all of it was pure magic. I was able to collaborate with the local community and exchange ideas, stories and recipes. I finished the residency feeling even more inspired than when I had started and made many life-long friends along the way.

​Arielle Vetro, 2023 Torna al Sud Fellowship recipient

writer, producer

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Ontario, Canada

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​Being one of the first residents at Art Center Padula's "Artist-in-Residence" program was an exceptional experience for me. The architectural heritage of town has definitely inspired me as an architect. I was glad to encounter so many members of the local community and have amazing conversations with them.

Mahmoud Saiid

archtitect

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Alexandria, Egypt

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​​As an artist, it is my desire to have an authentic experience during art residencies. I loved staying in the small town of Padula. I was welcomed by the townspeople and was able to join in celebrating traditional festivals. Casa Padula is beautifully maintained and my studio space was perfect: natural light and gorgeous views of the town and mountains.

Rachel Van Dyke

painter

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North Carolina, USA

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​As an artist living right outside of New York City almost all of my life, I really didn't know how or what I would feel coming to Padula. My visit to say the least was life changing. As a single mom, trips and time in the studio are really priceless. The residency served simultaneously as a professional and personal growth opportunity. From the people to the food and culture to the breathtaking views and inspiring sunsets, I enjoyed every second of my time at Art Center Padula. It is a jewel in the south of Italy. 

Michelle Vitale (Woolpunk)

fibers artist

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New Jersey, USA

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This has been one of the most wonderful traveling experiences I have had in my life. Being a nêhiyaw visitor to the ancestral lands of Italian people,  I appreciated the beauty of the landscape, energy and peoples. The casa,  the mountain air, the sweet scents and sounds of Padula, all nurtured my creative spirit. The wonderful welcoming of your team gave me the reassurance I needed to get comfortable. There are many moments each week, where I meditate to get myself grounded and I find myself tapping into the peace and creativity I had in Padula. 

​Lana Whiskeyjack

multi-media artist

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amiskwaciy waskahikan, Edmonton, Canada

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The residency at the Art Center Padula provided a respite from the noise of the world.  Where I lived in the cradle of a beautiful villa near the top of the village with garden grounds. It felt like I had stepped back in time, to a simpler life.  The residency struck the right balance of solitude and community.  It offered a bridge between a small group of artists and the people of Padula.  It fostered an ecosystem of inspiration, creation and communion helping me to move forward on my novel as well giving me the space to create a visual journal of my stay in Italy. 

TAK Erzinger

artist and poet,

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Switzerland

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​We are pleased to share that the 2023 and 2024 Seasons of our Artist Residency Program have been made possible in large part thanks to a generous sponsorship by Savannah College of Art and Design.