Support an Artist's Fellowship on the Shores of Crete
Every summer, we have the honor of welcoming talented artists from across disciplines, career stages, and the globe to our small village on the stunning island of Crete, Greece. For two weeks, they are given the rare gift of time, space, and resources to immerse themselves in their craft.
“Mudhouse was such an amazing opportunity for me, and I think it would be great for artists at any stage in their career”
—Jojo O’Neil, Mudhouse Resident 2024
They arrive as strangers, but leave transformed—having developed their practice, drawn inspiration from the breathtaking landscape, and formed lasting connections with a close-knit, supportive community of fellow artists.
“[Mudhouse] is a perfect environment for working”
—Susan Orlean, Mudhouse Resident 2024
This year, your donation will directly fund the Fellowship program, ensuring that an artist can attend the residency without the burden of cost. Your support helps cover the full expense of the residency—accommodations, studio space, and two daily meals—so the artist can focus fully on their creative work in an inspiring, distraction-free environment.
A highlight of the experience is the shared meals at the Kafenio, a beloved family restaurant at the heart of the village. Here, artists gather each day to enjoy family-style meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients grown in the gardens surrounding the village. These meals are more than just sustenance; they are a time for the artists to connect, share their experiences, and break bread together, building friendships and exchanging ideas in the warmth of a true Cretan tradition.
“The community just continues to build and motivate you, even after you’ve come home to wherever it is for you … Mudhouse never leaves you”
—Courtney Nicole Googe, Mudhouse Resident 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018
The Fellowship offers a rare opportunity: two transformative weeks on Crete, immersed in Mediterranean beauty and cultural richness, where the artist can focus on their craft, free from financial worries. Your generosity makes this experience possible.
No gift is too small! Every contribution helps make this dream a reality, giving an artist the chance to create something truly special.
Choose a thank you gift in return for your donation!
An original artwork made by Mudhouse alumni artists
A signed copy of 2024 writer-in-residence Susan Orlean’s new book Joyride
A special edition Mudhouse tote bag - only available through this campaign!
A calendar featuring artwork made at Mudhouse by 2025 artist-in-residence Kristen Palana
A chance to win a piece of Mudhouse swag
Where it all started 10 years ago...
Back in 2015, born of a dream between artists and friends, the Mudhouse began with just two artists in residence. Over the last decade, we have slowly expanded to hosting over 45 artists each summer across multiple residency sessions. Through this experience, we have come to realize that we bring life and economic vitality back to the small mountain village of Agios Ioannis, that had been largely abandoned by its original inhabitants.
Why call it Mudhouse?
As we were brainstorming a name for the residency, we were deeply inspired by the house where our vision first took shape. Surrounded by the warmth of the kitchen and beneath the century-old grapevines on the terrace, we began to build the community that now defines our program. This home—constructed in the traditional Cretan style using lime and soil, known locally as λασπόσπιτο or "mudhouse"—became the heart of our gatherings.
The name honors this connection to local heritage, paying tribute to the timeless building techniques that have long been a part of the island's history. It also keeps the residency grounded in its original mission: to create a community-focused space where artists can connect, create, and draw inspiration from the land and the people around them.
