Spanish Immersive Residency
Learn the language by living it: through conversation, daily practice, and cultural connection in the heart of Antigua, Guatemala.
In addition to the creative focus and support offered in our two-week residency, this program is designed for artists who want to explore Spanish as a tool for connection. With daily beginner lessons, guided cultural visits, and practical everyday tasks, you’ll gain confidence using the language while deepening your relationship with place, people, and creative process.
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Each resident receives a simple schedule that includes Spanish lessons, a cultural task to complete each day, and suggested visits to local museums and markets to put the language into practice. On free days, residents create their own daily work schedule depending on their project and work/research methods. We host 1 to 3 artists at the same time and our staff and residents meet weekly for discussions.
We assist with project development and research as much as possible to create a platform of support, conversation, reflection, and accessibility. That said, all needs and desires are not always possible to access and the primary work does lie in the hands of resident themselves.
Applicants are encouraged to consider how their work or research will interact with Guatemala and it’s vast history, and to reflect on their role and responsibility as a maker learning and creating in a new country. -
Includes everything from our Independent Residency:
Initial call one month prior to residency
2 individual desks and large co-work area
Breakfast pantry
Assistance with research development, local introductions and navigation of the area
Weekly resident meeting to share work, engage in conversation and learn from each other
Portfolio-making workshop, focused on structure, sequencing and presentation
Once your portfolio is complete, a 45-minute portfolio review with a local curator, scheduled based on their availability during your residency dates
Guatemala City Airport pick-up and transportation upon arrival & departure ~ only for residency dates
PLUS
15 hours of beginner Spanish classes
Personalized, small groups (1–3 students)
Real-world tasks, cultural visits, and artistic context
Led entirely by Guatemalan staff
*Spanish Immersive activities will be scheduled within the same two-week period.
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2027 - 2 week Spanish immersive residency program - $1250 USD.
50% deposit due upon confirmation of attendance. Final deposit will be due two months before the program.
Deposits are non-refundable and residency dates are non-transferable.
We are happy to work with accepted residents on varying payments plans. Contact projects@graciagt.com for more information.*GRACIA programs are rooted in ethical and reciprocal cultural exchange. We work closely with teachers, and collaborators, and program fees help ensure their knowledge and time are fairly compensated, while supporting the infrastructure that makes these experiences possible.
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Our Spanish Immersive Residency is a seasonal offering for September - December of every year.
WINTER 2027
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2027
Opens: April, 2027
Closes: May, 2027
Live the Language
Past AIR Experience
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Emily Zadoretzky
My residency at GRACIA was an incredible, impactful experience that continues to inspire my creative practice and my life as a whole. I fell in love with Antigua. Every day, I woke up inspired to explore and create. From ancient Maya artifacts and traditional weaving and textile arts to Colonial-era ruins to contemporary cuisine, the city is this incredible blend of history and modernity. I had ample time to both explore the city and delve into studio work and Mafer was an excellent guide and resource. In my practice I explore the utilization of natural materials, dyes and pigments and really enjoyed taking both of Mafer's course offerings in that area. During my residency, I was exploring the materiality of corn/maiz as well as its cultural and political influences within Guatemalan culture and that of my own country, the US. Mafer put me in contact with a local restaurant owner that partners with growers of heirloom corn varieties and we were able to meet over delicious heirloom tortillas and have a very informative and meaningful chat. I am so grateful to Mafer for this experience!
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Kiara Aileen Machado
I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity of returning to Guate after so long. Not just returning to my mothers birthplace for leisure but the reason being that it was for an artist residency means so much to me. Seeing a procession in person passing through the callesitas de Antigua is much different than solely hearing stories from my family archived through their memories. Post residency there is so much to reflect on and I am currently working on a new body of work in reflection to my short time in Guatemala.
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Brooke Adams
GRACIA was an inspiring time of colors, community, and creating new art forms. Mafer, GRACIA founder and local host, connected me to people and places to help fuel my creative process in Guatemala. I loved wandering Antigua, being inspired by the colors and textures and people. Just as inspiring was the casita with wonderful light and space for creating. I came back from GRACIA ready to create and share my inspiration with others. I would return in a heart beat.
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Daniela Monzi
GRACIA is the perfect residency for any and all creative folks. Whether you're a seasoned vet with a degree in art or someone who dabbles on the side, it's truly a magical experience for anyone who does anything creative. Being in Antigua was so inspiring; there are so many colors, textures, lovely people, incredible food and epic landscapes. Thank you so much Mafer, for creating such a wonderful residency!
