mas del taperal
ARTIST RESDIDENCY
spain
the residency
The house is the result of a long quest undertaken by the painter ClaudePanier and his partner, IsabelleParisod, in search of a place conducive to creation.
Nestled in a fertile valley in the Alicante region, it offers a commanding view of centuries‑old almond and olive trees on terraced slopes. From its inception, ClaudePanier designed it as a space of tranquility and light, conducive to artistic work. After his passing, IsabelleParisod continued the project by expanding and renovating the house to provide artists with an inspiring setting in which to develop their projects.
Today, she opens these spaces to creation and exchange, thus perpetuating the original vision of a refuge dedicated to art and expression.
Located at nearly 800 meters above sea level in the Alicante region, the house overlooks an open landscape of terraced olive groves, almond trees, and majestic pines. Just a few kilometers from Torre de la Mançanas—a picturesque village renowned for its mild climate and preserved natural surroundings—it enjoys ideal tranquility for reflection and creation while remaining easily accessible from Alicante. Built of “Taperal,” a local stone characteristic of the region, the residence offers several outdoor spots for working, reading, or simply enjoying the calm.Its privileged location, both isolated from urban bustle and open to an exceptional panorama, makes it a refuge conducive to inspiration and relaxation.
The studio dedicated to the artist residency is set up at one end of the house, with an independent entrance, while remaining connected to the main house if needed. It includes a small bedroom with a double bed, a living area with a sofa‑bed and wood stove, as well as a kitchen and a bathroom. Two “casitas,” small metal-and-glass cubes installed in the garden, can serve as comfortable bedrooms immersed in nature or be transformed into 3 × 3 m studios, thus providing additional spaces to work or relax.
In addition to the “casitas,” which allow for working in nature while enjoying the comfort of an enclosed space, a 7 m² dojo has been built at the back of the garden. Sheltered from the elements, it offers a suitable location for outdoor artistic or physical practices in a peaceful, secluded atmosphere, while maintaining a direct connection with the natural environment.
acces details
Open to all artistic disciplines, our residency welcomes you for creative projects with total freedom. However, please note that while the studio space is designed to inspire your work, it remains intimate in size. Likewise, you will not find any art supplies, heavy equipment, or machinery on site. You will therefore need to bring your own tools or devise creative solutions for any technical installations.
In line with a vision that supports and encourages artistic creation, no rent will be charged to our residents. As the heir to a house that once belonged to an artist, it embodies the spirit of sharing in the face of the economic challenges that creators face.
Nevertheless, as this is private property, a contribution of €100 per month is requested. This fee ensures the sustainability of the project and allows this unique place to continue serving as an inspiring and accessible resource for artists of today and tomorrow.
Drawing inspiration from the landscape’s transformations and climatic conditions, the residency is divided into four periods, each corresponding to a season. The panorama changes throughout the year, offering unique atmospheres conducive to creation.
The residency start dates are set on October15, January15, April15, and June1. To ensure an efficient selection process, applications must be submitted with a minimum notice of three months.
The availability of the next session is announced on this website (look a little further down).
To submit your application, please send us an email that includes a photo and a detailed presentation of your project, explaining your artistic motivations. We also invite you to attach a brief biography, your artistic CV, and a description of your artistic affinities.
This will allow us to better understand your creative universe and foster dialogue through the diversity of approaches within our residency.
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artists
in Residence
Born of an inspiration as fleeting as a flash of light through fog, Gaspard Delacroix is a self‑taught artist with an eclectic background, whose singular work draws on the imagination of forgotten dreams and childhood memories. Born in a port city, Gaspard has always been fascinated by the subtle interplay of shadow and light—a theme intensely reflected in his canvases. His work oscillates between abstract and figurative, as if inviting the viewer to decipher a secret language inscribed in his brushstrokes. Among his most enigmatic creations, the painting titled “The Enigma of the Tides” perfectly illustrates his artistic vision.
On a deep‑blue canvas, vivid splashes of ochre and silver streaks intertwine to evoke the hypnotic dance of waves under the sway of an infinite moon. In this painting, each shade tells a story and each texture seems to whisper a fragment of marine poetry. Although entirely imaginary, “The Enigma of the Tides” embodies both the fragility and the strength of life, inviting an intimate reflection on the passage of time and the harmony of natural elements. Through this colorful and moving journey, Gaspard Delacroix stands out not only for his ability to capture the essence of the moment but also for his subtle way of transforming reality into a permanent invitation to dream.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to experience a life-altering creative journey in such a magical place. For me, that magic unfolded at Mas de Taperal in Torremanzanas, where I became the first artist-in-residence. My space—a century-old Spanish farmhouse—was warm, inviting, and bathed in natural light, the perfect haven for artistic exploration. I began by painting within the garden’s embrace, my brush guided by the colors and textures of the land. Slowly, my work expanded beyond its borders, spilling into the rolling hills and winding streets of nearby towns, each crooked alley and sunlit corner offering boundless inspiration.
At the end of a full creative day, I’d walk the familiar twenty-minute goat trail into town, gathering food for dinner while plucking rosemary, sage, and thyme growing wild along the path. The rhythm of that routine, the quiet communion with nature, became part of the art itself.Returning to the States, I felt the weight of leaving that oasis behind. The transition was difficult—until my first exhibition of the works created there reminded me just how extraordinary the experience had been. At first, I hesitated to share it, guarding the memory like a rare treasure. But in time, I found myself shouting to anyone who would listen about the dream that had come true.
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contact
Questions? Would you like to apply? Or something else?
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