Artist Residence
Villa Nalu
Located in Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres, in the Caribbean of Mexico, NALU is more than an art gallery — it is a creative space where art is made, experienced, and shared.
Alongside Ulan Eatery, our gallery brings together art, food, community, and creativity.
Our new residency program goes beyond the traditional artist residency, welcoming not only artists, but also people who want to learn, experiment with new mediums, or simply immerse themselves in the world of art.
With access to our ceramic studio, grabado and printmaking spaces, and painting areas, residents have the opportunity to create, learn, connect, and experience the artistic process from the inside.
Casa Nalu
.png)
Artist Residency Program
Our Residency Options
Option 01 — Art. Residency. Exchange
LIVE & CREATE
Come to the island. Slow down. Be inspired. Create.
For artists who want to experience the island, slow down, and find inspiration while creating.
Stay at Casa NALU in Punta Sur, surrounded by nature, art, and the Caribbean. This residency is an exchange between the artist and NALU — you contribute a body of artwork in exchange for your residency experience.
It’s an opportunity to step away from your usual environment, immerse yourself in island life, and allow the surroundings to influence your creative practice.
Residencies can range from one week to months and include your own private suite with a bathroom and balcony in Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres. You’ll also have access to all of the shared spaces at Casa Nalu, including the communal kitchen, the lower level of the house with shared painting areas and access to the ceramic and print studio, as well as the swimming pool and barbecue area.
Price $ 150 USD / week + exchange of artwork (the body of work would depend on your length of stay and previous curriculum)
Note: Food, materials, and projects can also be discussed.
Option 02 — Art. Project. Residency
CREATE WITH US - Bring an idea. Work with us. Create something together.
This is the collaborative option.
Artists come to NALU with a project or concept and have the opportunity to work alongside us, develop something together, connect with the local creative community, and potentially exhibit and earn from their work.
Your project can be something you create while on the island, something you bring with you that is already in progress, or an existing project that you would like to develop further within the unique environment of Isla Mujeres. You also have the opportunity to exhibit your project in Nalu Art Gallery, Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres.
Residencies can range from one week to several months and include your own private suite with a bathroom and balcony at Casa Nalu in Punta Sur, Isla Mujeres. You’ll also have access to the shared spaces at Casa Nalu, including the communal kitchen, lower-level shared painting areas, ceramic and print studios, swimming pool, and barbecue area.
Price: $150 USD / week (opportunity to apply for a scholarship)
Unlike our artwork-exchange residency option, there is no required exchange of artwork for your accommodation in this residency. Instead, you pay the weekly residency fee and have the opportunity to develop and present your project during your stay. At the conclusion of the residency, artists have the opportunity to exhibit their work at NALU Art Gallery.
For works sold through the exhibition, the artist will receive an agreed percentage of the gallery sale price.
Ask us for more information on opportunities to apply for scholarships.
Option 03 — Art. Buy. Residency
ENJOY ART WITH US
Stay surrounded by art, artists, workshops and island inspiration.
For those who want to experience the NALU world without necessarily coming as a working artist in residence.
Stay at your own fully self-contained villa at Casa Nalu, surrounded by artwork, creative spaces, workshops and visiting artists. Enjoy the freedom and privacy of your own villa while being immersed in the creative energy of Punta Sur and the NALU community.
Your stay also contributes directly to supporting the artists we represent, with your nightly rate going towards purchasing artwork from the NALU Art Gallery catalogue.
So you can spend your time enjoying Isla Mujeres, discovering art, meeting artists, joining workshops, and soaking up the creative atmosphere — while taking home a piece of the NALU experience.
Come for the island. Stay surrounded by art. Take a piece of NALU home with you.
Price: 150USD / week + nightly rate ( The $150 USD base fee covers the residency experience, while your nightly rate becomes an art credit.)
100USD/night (September 1 - Nov 30)
150USD/night (May 1 - August 31)
200USD/night (Dec 1- April 30)
The longer you stay, the more art credit you build.
At the end of your residency, you can browse the catalog and choose one or several pieces that add up to the value of your accumulated nightly rate.
It’s a different way to experience a residency — stay with us, discover the island, connect with the artists, and invest your accommodation budget into original art that you can take home.
Option 04 — Art. Retreat. Residency
CREATIVE LEARNING RESIDENCY
This option is designed for artists, creatives, and curious minds who want to come to Isla Mujeres, immerse themselves in art, and spend their residency learning new techniques and working with different mediums.
You can build your residency around the mediums and techniques you’re most interested in exploring.
Choose to focus on:
Painting — explore different painting techniques, styles, and approaches.
Printmaking — experiment with different print processes and create your own editions.
Ceramics — learn hand-building, sculptural techniques, glazing, and other ceramic processes.
Mixed Media — combine different materials and techniques to create something completely your own.
Rather than following a set program, you can help shape your own creative experience. Tell us what you want to learn, what techniques you want to develop, and which mediums inspire you, and we can build your residency around those interests.
Spend your days creating, learning, experimenting, and connecting with other artists — while experiencing the beauty and inspiration of Isla Mujeres.
Price: $150 USD weekly residency fee + $200 USD per day
Your $150 USD weekly residency fee gives you access to the residency experience, while the $200 USD daily rate includes your accommodation and hands-on workshop experiences.
Come with curiosity. Leave with new skills, new work, and a whole lot of inspiration.
Please note: Specific workshops and courses are subject to instructor availability and scheduling. Some specialized workshops may require a minimum number of participants to run. We recommend discussing your preferred mediums and techniques with us in advance so we can confirm availability and help plan your residency.
Once we know a little more about your timing, preferred length of stay, and artistic practice, we would be happy to discuss the possibilities further and explore which residency format would work best for both sides.