Villa Lena: A 10-year Journey of Art and Innovation
Maja Karnowska
Writer, Literary and Cultural Analysis student
Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Villa Lena stands out as a beacon of creativity and cultural exchange. For 10 years, the Villa Lena Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to facilitate creative expression and support international contemporary artists. The organization's inspired approach fuses sustainable hospitality practices and art education to foster an ideal environment for multidisciplinary dialogue and expression.
About Villa Lena
Founded by wife and husband Lena and Jerome, the Villa Lena Foundation is a non-profit artist residency program held at the Villa Lena Hotel in Toiano, Tuscany. As curator and musician/ producer, respectively, Lena and Jerome began hosting residencies by inviting friends and creatives to stay with them for long periods of time. Over the years, this practice became increasingly structured, and eventually, the idea of combining hospitality and art education arose. From April to October each year, the foundation welcomes around 7 artists in 4-5 week residency programs. The villa also hosts curatorial, yogi and family residencies as part of its organization. Above all else, the Villa Lena Foundation strives to maintain and strengthen various national and international partnerships to reach as many artists from different backgrounds, communities, and countries as possible.
Surrounded by 500 hectares of wild forest and farmland, Villa Lena is committed to sustaining environmentally friendly practices. The villa preserves a symbiotic relationship with its estate and has even been awarded a Green Key certification for sustainable approaches. Farm-to-table cooking ensures quality and nutritious ingredients, and any products that are not home-grown remain consistently of Tuscan origin. The villa is dedicated to supporting local businesses by purchasing produce and art supplies from nearby vendors or by employing local carpenters for the conservation and restoration of its historic buildings. Engagement with the Tuscan community is likewise upheld as residency programs connect artists to regional artisans and businesses. Furthermore, the villa organizes open days and other cultural events where everyone from nearby villages is welcome. To read more about the extent of Villa Lena's sustainability mission, visit the responsible hospitality section of the hotel's website.
Creativity and Connection
All residencies vary from one another in some respect, but Villa Lena, owing largely to its existence alongside a hotel, retreat, and a collection of other things, is definitely unique in more ways than one.
Villa Lena's unique approach to accommodation truly sets its artist residency programs apart from others. Held on the premise of a remote Tuscan hotel, the villa's artist residency programs remain uniquely social, supportive, and motivating. Artists hugely benefit from this combined venture and close proximity to the hotel guests. The villa's foundation relies on the premise that art should never be produced in complete isolation. Artists often turn to creative ventures outside their studio walls, crossing paths with hotel guests and engaging in discussions.
As Villa Lena's ex-head of programming Annalisa noted in an interview, these exchanges have, at times, even allowed guests and artists to strike up meaningful connections. For example, one ex-resident, Jiyen Lee, noted that she created a lasting network with some of the villa's guests by regularly communicating with them through social media.
The sense of community was wonderful… We really built a family unit during our time [at Villa Lena], and this connection made the residency more special.
There is genuinely an ease of sociability and collaboration at Villa Lena, especially for those partaking in the residency programs. Artists spend most of their time together in small groups, discussing ideas and cooperating with each other on projects. The structure of these programs allows artists to move outside of their comfort zones and re-imagine their creative practices and methodologies. Against the increasingly withdrawn and desensitized landscape of contemporary existence, the Villa Lena residency is a chance for artists to live and create communally, taking inspiration from all facets of the villa's enlivening nature.
The Environment
The studio is surrounded by nature, and it was a great pleasure to discover new things every day. From the small ant caves to the setting Tuscan sun, it was a time of energy and inspiration. Living here, away from the fast-paced city life of Seoul, made me feel that both my body and soul became happier.
Located in a remote Tuscan village called Toiano, Villa Lena is enveloped by a vibrant, wild, and inspiring natural environment. Though not far from the bustling cities of Florence or Pisa, Toiano remains secluded from the frenzied cityscape, a serene escape for the body and mind. Creativity thrives at Villa Lena amongst the picturesque landscape of lush forest and prospering farmland. One can expect a profound and invigorating awakening of the senses here, as even the wind produces a unique soundscape that echoes deep into the souls of residents.
The energy at Villa Lena is undoubtedly rare. Indeed, it is often speculated that the area's mystical quality comes from its positioning on the San Michele line - a geographical axis connecting seven monasteries from Ireland to Israel. According to an ancient legend, this line represents the blow the Archangel Michael inflicted upon Lucifer while casting him to Hell. The San Michele line is believed to carry a long-standing sacred energy, imbuing Villa Lena and its location with historical and spiritual significance. The villa's original name, San Michele, reflected this profound metaphysical connection. In this harmonious setting, artists at Villa Lena find themselves in a sanctuary where nature, history, and spirituality converge.
Nature as Muse
"Nature is a huge component of inspiration," notes ex-head of programming Annalisa, reflecting on the profound impact that Villa Lena's environment has on residents. Verdant surroundings provide a constant source of creativity for artists, many of whom center their practices around the natural world that envelopes them during residency.
Artists at Villa Lena often come to develop a symbiotic relationship with the ecosystem, drawing deeply from the earth's rich pool of natural resources. From foraging wild clay for pottery to making creative use of the Tuscan sun's vivid rays, artists at the villa consistently establish a deep-seated partnership with the earth. This unique connection allows residents to create works that are intrinsically linked to the surrounding land and atmosphere, culminating in exceptional works of art.
I wanted to create something slightly different from my regular practice by using what the surroundings were offering…
Beatrice is a native French mixed-media and textile artist currently residing in Harlem, New York. As a woman of mixed heritage, her practices center on exploring identity as a physical and psychological state and a powerful healing tool. Merging with sections of painted canvas, the artist weaves patterns, fabrics, and beads that produce a rich tapestry of narrative imagery. The interactions of each material with another culminate in what Beatrice refers to as a language "stretched between the limits of the imaginary and the historical."
This year, Beatrice participated in her first residency at Villa Lena. Embracing the Villa’s natural environment, Beatrice undertook cyanotypes as a new practice for her that deviated from her usual artistic methods. Unable to produce cyanotypes in her Harlem studio, Beatrice employed the vivid Tuscan sun as a tool for her work. By laying collected plants over chemically soaked pieces of fabric and leaving these out in the sun, she created utterly unique textiles to use in her mixed media artworks. In essence, the natural environment at Villa Lena became both canvas and collaborator to Beatrice's artworks, pushing the boundaries of her creative practices.
Artist educational strategies
Villa Lena's artist residency programs are thoughtfully designed to help artists achieve their goals. Conscious selection processes and supportive community structures are put in place so that residents can benefit from each other and the program as much as possible. The residency carefully curates a mix of emerging and established artists, fostering a lively environment where fresh voices are encouraged. Each artist's commitment to the residency is intentionally evaluated beforehand, ensuring that the group will guide and inspire each other throughout their time together.
Looking to the future, Villa Lena plans to deepen its engagements with the Italian community and expand its network of global partnerships. This will enable the residency to reach a diverse range of artists from every continent, enhancing the cultural exchange that makes Villa Lena so unique. Additionally, the Foundation aims to facilitate multidisciplinary work, broadening the scope of residencies to include science and research. Increasing support for artists is one of the villa's main objectives, notes Annalisa. Villa Lena's unique blend of hospitality and art education allows them to draw upon the hotel's assets to support artists' needs and resources in residency. The intention is for this exchange to continue and become even more supportive.
According to Annalisa, Villa Lena's second main objective is to increase the visibility of artists and their creations. Currently, most artworks produced during residency are displayed primarily within Villa Lena's halls. Showcasing these works in venues beyond the villa will allow the Foundation to significantly elevate the visibility of artists, the residency program, and the hotel itself. This broader exposure will open up exhibition opportunities, allowing Villa Lena to further support artists and expand its impact within the art community. Still, including unique, contemporary artworks in the Villa’s traditional Italian aesthetics has created a distinctive backdrop to the art's existence. For this reason, the villa regularly organizes open days to help attract and bring in visitors to increase the organization's visibility and impact.
Open Days
We had an open day during the residency, which was wonderful. We displayed some of our work within our studios and were then visited by a variety of guests. It allowed me to meet wonderful people and network with local galleries and curators.
Open days at Villa Lena are ever-significant, as they profoundly inspire artists and strengthen local community ties. Typically held towards the end of an artist's residency, these energetic and magnetic events attract a wide array of visitors and facilitate powerful connections between residents and artistic communities. A spirited exchange occurs, as artists invite outsiders to observe the innermost vulnerable and creative workings behind studio walls. Local and foreign guests, curators, and collectors come by to strike up conversations with artists and share their passions with creative souls alike.
Celebrating a Decade of Artistic Excellence: Villa Lena’s 10th Anniversary!
As 2024 marks The Villa Lena Foundation's 10th anniversary, there is much to celebrate. Over the past decade, Villa Lena has supported more than 400 artists worldwide, fostering an environment of creativity, collaboration, and growth. The Foundation takes pride in its role as a catalyst for artistic development, with one of its most outstanding achievements being the growth and career advancement of its residents. Villa Lena continues to support their artists post-residency. One of their notable collaborations with follow.art featured the promotion of ex-resident artist and writer Hettie Judah’s book How Not to Exclude Artist Mothers (and Other Parents). This year, Villa Lena’s 10 year anniversary signals the commemoration of many more valued partnerships.
Villa Lena plans to organize special events and open days to celebrate their 10-year milestone. With the intent to strengthen territorial connections, these events include talks by Italian and Tuscan curators and weekend-long open days. Villa Lena believes that solidifying these local relationships is another way to celebrate and highlight their respect for the Tuscan tradition. Special exhibitions are also underway as the villa strives to commemorate previous partnerships with residents and curators. A series of 10 limited edition prints in collaboration with il Bisonte will be available soon on follow.art as part of an online event hosted alongside the upcoming exhibition in Florence, Italy. In other collaborations with Villa Lena, follow.art is currently hosting additional online events, such as the DONNE exhibition, with more exciting initiatives to come. These events are part of a broader ongoing effort to promote the villa's artists and expand their reach. By building solid partnerships and engaging in collaborative projects, Villa Lena ensures that artists receive the support they need to thrive. These connections help artists gain exposure, access resources, and participate in diverse creative exchanges. As in a conversation with follow.art, artist Beatrice Lebreton expressed her immense gratitude to her patrons Tiffany Lendrum and Liza and Georgia from CuraArt for making her residency at Villa Lena possible. This underscores the importance of fostering a supportive network that enables artists to participate in residencies, which provide the peace and focus necessary for artistic innovation.
The importance of Artist Residencies
Artist residencies are vital as they provide creatives with dedicated time and space, allowing them to deeply focus on their work without the chaos of everyday life. At Villa Lena, the supportive environment and large studios encourage experimentation and creative growth while fostering a network of feedback and productive interactions with residents, community members and fellow artists.
Take a look at what some ex-residents are saying:
“Residencies are important as it gives artists many opportunities: you work in a different environment which leads to new inspiration and use of other materials, you connect with other creatives. It is a change of pace, with more time to focus on your art, to investigate. You also get feedback and are able to showcase your work to a diverse audience.”
“The opportunity to escape from daily life and experience new environments and meet new people is a blessing for an artist.”
“I was surprised at how important this time and space was for my practice. To have an undisturbed month of time and a large studio space really allowed me to experiment freely…”
“The main selling point for me is the opportunity to spend an uninterrupted period of time solely focusing on one’s practice, whether [it’s] making work, researching or just thinking away from everyday pressures…”
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