Sfakiotes residency is a 2-storey, old country house in the mountains of Lefkas island in a tiny village of Asprogerakata. The house will be renovated for an artist residency starting in spring 2011.
The house will be finished by Christmas 2010 after a complete renovation. It will have water, electricity and an internet connection. It is possible to stay in the house individually or with a family. The house is 90m2 with a small terrace garden facing the valley.
Mission
Sfakiotes residency is non-profit housing settlement in North-Western Greece with a mission to provide artists from the fields of visual arts, film, art production, curating, research and music to live and work in a genuine Mediterranean surrounding for short periods of time. The house as well as the residency is owned by a private individual. This means that the residency and administrative structure of the residency can be kept light and the costs for the artist very low. It also means that the residents are supposed to respect the residency and leave it as clean and tidy as possible to the next one. The residency runs only as long as the residents will respect this rule.
Getting there
The house is located in the Sfakiotes municipality, a 20-minute drive to the mountains from the nearest city of Lefkada. Sfakiotes region has a total of 1000 inhabitants and the local busses drive there three times a day. Lefkas island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and it takes c.4-5 hours to drive from Athens or come by bus to Lefkada town. Lefkas island has no airport of its own, which has saved it from mass tourism so far.
During the tourist season (May-Oct) there are direct flights to Preveza airport on the mainland only from Berlin or through charter. Planes fly to Athens around the year where you must take a bus to Lefkada (5,5h) during off-season, and then change to Karya bus (20min). Helsinki-Athens-Helsinki costs around 150-300€, during holidays the fare can be double or tripple. To go by car or bus through Europe takes about 4-6 days starting from Helsinki. Boats come also from Brindisi, Italy, close to the mainland. At Preveza airport and Athens airport there are lots of possibilities to rent a car and drive to the island. Always use the well-known, big rental companies. Athens has also an excellent long-distance bus system. The direct bus from Athens bus station to Lefkada is highly recommended: busses are new, affordable, comfortable and fully air-conditioned. To drive through Peloponnesos can be difficult especially after dark: the last 150km from Parta to the island the roads are narrow mountain and coastal roads. The first 300 km the roads are in good condition, mainly motor or highways.
Getting around
It is recommended to rent a car or a scooter for the more remote areas of the island as the bus doesn`t reach the steepest areas of the island. From Vassiliki town it is possible to go by boat to south-western area of the island. Also, the busses can run with some irregularity which may lead to some 20-30min waiting. In summertime the temperature can rise up to +37ºC in the shadow, and most of the towns don`t have a bus stop or a shelter. The bus stops on the street from a sign. Bicycle is possible to use in the Sfakiotes municipality as all the nearby villages are within a 15-min reach in the same altitude of 450m.
Asprogerakata in Winter
In winter the temperature is between +20 and 0º C and rainy. At nights the temperature can drop close to zero. It is much more quiet on the island`s coastal cities that live from tourism during the season. The coastal towns can be very windy. The village of Asprogerakata has literally no tourism at all around the year. Some shops are closed during winter, but busses run normally. The main town of Lefkada functions around the year and has many internet cafés, shops and restaurants open always except national holidays, Easter and Christmas day. During 1-3PM siesta all the shops and restaurants are closed.
How to apply
To apply for spring 2011 go to APPLICATION, fill the form and and attach cv and a wish when you would like to come. The shortest time is 2 weeks and longest 1-2 months. A small rent covers internet, hot water and electricity. Art researchers, curators and producers are also welcome. Application deadline for 2011 is 30.9.2010.
Applying for 2012:
The application time for the year 2012 is 1.-30. September, 2011.
Rates
2011
37,5€ per week
The house is always rented as a whole.
In addition, a deposit of 100€ is taken for the key, which the guest will get back after the stay.
Rates for 2012 can change and will be informed later on this site!
Practical Information
The key to the residency has to be retrieved from and returned to Helsinki, Finland. Mailing is not accepted, so make sure you have this possibility before applying! A key deposit of 100 €, as well as full rent, will be paid before the journey. The deposit will be returned once the key has been returned.
Renting a car is strongly advised especially for families but also for everyone with a drivers licence. The island has exceptionally strong winds and some rain during winter – a feature which makes it a lush paradise in the summer. However, the temperature can still be around 20 degrees celcius during the day in mid-December. Also the steep nature of the island means that a distance of 2 km on the map can equal up to 3 hours of walking up the hill in heat or sudden rain in the mountains in winter.
The rent does NOT cover cleaning. This is a do-it-yourself residency. All residents are expected to leave the residency cleaned & tidy to the next one before returning to their homelands, wash all used sheets and towels + leave the laundry drying, and are expected to wet the plants on the terrace during their stay.
All guests sign a renting (residency) contract and pay the rent + key deposit before leaving. An insurance taken by the guest is recommended. The contract does NOT cover any water or other damages caused by the guest.
The residency has:
- air-conditioning & heating
- 1 double bed and 2 extra matressesa
- 1 table & 4 chairs
- 1 balcony table & 2 chairs
- small & medium size towels (summer season: please bring your own beach towel! Own towels are always recommended.)
- sheets & bed linen
- basic kitchen equipment: cooking equipment, spoons, knives, forks, plates, cups, glasses, tea and coffee cups, wine opener and a Moka master for 6.
- basic cleaning materials
- 1-2 bicycles (to be acquired during 2011)
- ONE key per guest. So please take care of that one key.
Please Note:
The first residency times of the year 2011 may change if the renovation is delayed!
The residency is CLOSED during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.
