“Living with the Land — artistic practice, landscape, craftsmanship, and sustainable ways of living”
Living with the Land is an international artist residency exploring the relationship between artistic practice, landscape, craftsmanship, and sustainable ways of living.
Located in the mountains of Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, Manchoza Art Residency hosts only one resident at a time, allowing each artist exclusive access to the accommodation, studios, and surrounding landscape. The residency emphasizes focused creative work, experimentation, and meaningful engagement with place.
Rather than following a fixed program, each residency is developed collaboratively around the artist's project and interests. Residents are encouraged to engage with the local environment, traditional crafts, and the rhythms of daily life while pursuing independent artistic research and production.
Artists from all disciplines are welcome to apply. We particularly value thoughtful proposals, curiosity, openness to experimentation, and projects that resonate with the theme Living with the Land.
Duration of residency
4–12 weeks
Flexible residency periods between January and June 2027.
Accommodation
Residents are accommodated in a private, fully equipped guesthouse reserved exclusively for one artist at a time. The house includes a bedroom with a queen-size bed, a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, living area, Starlink high-speed internet, and outdoor terraces overlooking the surrounding forest.
Located at approximately 2,100 metres (6,900 feet) above sea level in the mountains of Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, the residency sits on a 4,000 m² property with access to indoor and outdoor studios, gardens, walking trails, and workshop facilities.
Artists can enjoy complete privacy, uninterrupted working conditions, and exclusive use of both the accommodation and studios throughout their stay.
The residency operates with solar energy, rainwater harvesting, composting systems, and ecological water management, offering artists the opportunity to experience sustainable living alongside their creative practice.
Disciplines, work equipment and assistance
Manchoza specializes in sculpture, particularly wood, ceramics, and bronze, while welcoming artists from a wide range of disciplines. Residents have access to:
- A fully equipped woodworking and sculpture workshop.
- A gas-fired ceramic kiln and workspace for hand-building and material experimentation.
- Professional tools for wood and clay sculpture.
- The opportunity to collaborate with a traditional bronze foundry in the nearby town of Tapalpa, suitable for sculptures up to approximately 30–40 cm.
- Private chainsaw sculpture workshops available upon request.
For painters, the studio includes a large wall suitable for working on stretched canvases, adjustable lighting, and an outdoor covered terrace overlooking the forest that can also be used as a painting studio.
For writers and researchers, Manchoza offers dedicated workspaces with two writing desks, quiet indoor areas, and two private outdoor terraces designed for reading, writing, and reflection.
Disciplines:
- Sculpture
- Installation
- Ceramics
- Painting
- Drawing
- Photography
- Writing
- Literature
- Architecture
- Design
- Research
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Studio / Workspace
Flexible indoor and outdoor studios designed for focused artistic practice. Facilities include a fully equipped woodworking and sculpture workshop, ceramic studio with gas kiln, covered outdoor work areas, naturally lit painting spaces, adjustable lighting, and quiet workstations for writers and researchers. The surrounding gardens and forest provide opportunities for site-specific work, research, and experimentation.
Fees and support
MXN $22,000 per month (approximately USD $1,150, subject to exchange rate).
The residency fee includes:
- Private accommodation (exclusive use of the guesthouse).
- Full access to all studios and workshop facilities.
- High-speed Starlink internet.
- Utilities (water, electricity, gas).
- Weekly housekeeping.
- Artistic guidance and project consultation.
- Connections with local artisans and craftspeople when relevant to the project.
- Access to the ceramic studio, woodworking workshop, and shared tools.
- Airport pickup.
- Trips for materials and supermarkets.
Additional costs:
- Art materials.
- Bronze casting fees (paid directly to the foundry), approximately 750 dollars for 3 pieces.
- Chainsaw sculpture workshops (available upon request).
- Food, transportation, and travel expenses.
Selected artists will receive an official invitation letter to support applications for external grants, funding opportunities, or visa processes when required.
Expectations towards the artist
Artists are expected to focus on the development of their proposed project and to actively engage with the residency environment.
At the end of the residency, residents are invited to share their experience through an informal artist talk, open studio, presentation, or conversation about their work. This is encouraged but not mandatory.
Workshops, community activities, or collaborative events may be proposed by the artist or the residency when appropriate and are always optional, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.
Residents are also expected to respect the shared values of the residency, including care for the natural environment, sustainable living practices, and consideration for the local community and surrounding wildlife.
Application information
Applicants send their information by email to info@manchoza.com, including: full name, email address, website/portfolio, Instagram (optional), country of residence, artistic discipline, the project to be developed during the residency, desired residency length, preferred dates, allergies or dietary restrictions, medical insurance status, whether family members or pets will accompany the artist, and any specialized equipment or technical support needs.
About La Manchoza
La Manchoza is a small, self-directed artist residency located about 20 kilometres from Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, founded by sculptor Ana Paula Luna and programmer Juan Lanzagorta. It is not a retreat and not a structured educational program, but a residency designed for artists who value autonomy, experimentation, and uninterrupted creative time.
The property spans approximately 4,000 m² (43,056 ft²) of land with fruit trees, a botanical garden of medicinal plants, a chicken coop, native vegetation, and wildlife. Residents share the wider property while enjoying their own private garden beside the residency house.
The Private House
The residency house is a fully private, two-story house (4 × 11 m, 88 m² / 947 ft² interior) located about 30 metres from the hosts' home. The ground floor has a private bathroom with a composting toilet, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room with fireplace, a large studio wall for hanging canvases, space for easels and painting, a writing desk, and rear garden access. The upper floor has a bedroom, terrace, an additional writing desk, an outdoor workspace, and space for easels and painting. Included amenities: private house, Starlink internet, television, electricity, water, gas, weekly cleaning service, and a washer and dryer in the main house. Power is solar (110 V and 220 V at 60 Hz, up to about 1,500 W), with USB and USB-C ports at every outlet.