Welcome to OBRAS
A Practical Guide for Your Residency

OBRAS is a Portuguese word meaning "works" or "work in progress."

OBRAS Art Residencies was founded in 2003 as Foundation OBRAS by Carolien van der Laan and Ludger van der Eerden. In May 2026 the organization adopted a new name, OBRAS Art Residencies, and welcomed a new board that includes Tim Gleason and Alex Bonine. While building on new ideas and perspectives, the residency continues its long-standing mission and philosophy.

The aim of OBRAS is to provide the space, support, and hospitality necessary for productive artistic and scientific work. We offer artists and researchers a peaceful environment in the Portuguese countryside where they can devote themselves fully to their creative or academic projects. Residents enjoy private accommodation, access to studios and shared facilities, and the freedom to work independently in a supportive and inspiring setting.
Surrounded by nature, OBRAS offers abundant opportunities for outdoor work, walking, and reflection. The residency hosts approximately six to ten participants at a time and encourages informal exchange through artist talks, communal dinners, and open studios, while always respecting each resident's privacy. Although a car is recommended for convenient access to shops and services, many residents appreciate the slower rhythm of rural life.
This guide provides practical information about travel, accommodation, studios, climate, internet access, laundry, shopping, artist materials, house rules, and medical services. For detailed information about applications, fees, and payment procedures, please visit www.obrasresidencies.com.

We hope your stay at OBRAS will offer a welcome break from everyday obligations, family concerns, and the distractions of modern life. Here you are invited to focus entirely on your work, to experiment freely, and to explore ideas that may lead to unexpected discoveries—or even to seemingly unproductive paths that ultimately prove meaningful.
If you are accustomed to city life, you may experience both the advantages and the challenges of the countryside. Nature begins at your doorstep: you can enjoy long walks, make herbal tea from plants growing in our garden, and experience nights of remarkable silence beneath a sky filled with stars. The main inconvenience is that, without a car, shopping trips require a little more planning.
 
Preparing for Your Stay  

Medical Services and Insurance
Medical facilities are available in Estremoz, where a 24-hour emergency clinic is located, and in Évora, which has a university hospital.
Residents are required to have valid international health insurance as well as third-party liability insurance. OBRAS cannot accept legal responsibility for illness, accidents, loss, or damage during your stay.

Travel Information
If you are flying to Lisbon, the most convenient way to reach OBRAS is by rental car or express bus. Express buses operate regularly between Lisbon Sete Rios and Estremoz. Timetables and online tickets are available at www.rede-expressos.pt.
We are happy to meet you at the Estremoz bus station and, if needed, take you to the supermarket before bringing you to the residency.
Alternatively, you can travel from Estremoz by taxi or by local bus (see www.rodoviaria.pt). The local bus runs three times a day on weekdays but does not operate during weekends. The stop closest to OBRAS is Parque de Campismo Alentejo, located directly at our entrance. From there, walk through the gate marked "Herdade da Marmeleira" and follow the unpaved road for approximately 400 meters to reach the residency.

Arrival and Welcome
On the day of your arrival, we will welcome you with a short orientation meeting. During this meeting we will:
make a copy of your passport;
record the telephone numbers of two emergency contacts;
show you the buildings and surrounding grounds;
explain our recycling procedures;
discuss your project, expectations, and any special requirements;
and if necessary, arrange payment of your residency fee as indicated in your invitation letter.

Living and Working at OBRAS
 
OBRAS provides space for both living and working while respecting your privacy and individual needs. Ultimately, the success of your residency depends on your own initiative. Our role is to provide the time, space, facilities, and support that allow you to make the most of your stay.
Residents are encouraged to give an informal artist's talk or presentation during their residency. Approximately every five days we organize a communal dinner, and twice a year we hold an Open Studio event.

Artist Materials
Basic art supplies are available in Estremoz.
For a wider selection, we recommend ordering online from Ponto das Artes, which offers good-quality materials at reasonable prices and provides fast delivery throughout Portugal.
Whenever possible, avoid shipping materials from outside the European Union, as customs procedures can be slow and import taxes may apply.
The region is well known for its exceptional marble, and sculptors are welcome to collect discarded pieces free of charge near the local quarries.
Cork is another characteristic material of the Alentejo and offers many creative possibilities.
Residents also have access to an excellent acoustic piano, flute, guitar, recorders, cajón, and several other musical instruments for informal use.

Accommodation
You will have your own private apartment or cottage and, if desired, access to a private studio.
All kitchens are equipped with the essentials, including a refrigerator, cooktop, microwave oven, coffee maker, electric kettle, and cooking utensils. The tap water is of excellent quality and safe to drink.

Casa Principal
Casa Principal consists of eight apartments, each measuring approximately 32 m². Every apartment includes a combined living and sleeping area, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Each apartment has both an interior and exterior entrance with a private terrace. Apartments 7 and 8 have extended terraces.

Casa Vicente
Casa Vicente measures approximately 75 m² and includes a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and studio. It has three exterior doors and two terraces.

Casa Miradouro
Casa Miradouro is also approximately 75 m² and includes a living room/studio, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. It has one exterior entrance and three terraces.

Studios
In addition to the apartments and cottages, OBRAS offers several studios for visual artists and performers. All studios have electricity but no additional utilities.
Available studios include:
Large Hall: 25 × 9 m, connected to a circular terrace with a diameter of 15 m.
Studio Branco: 6 × 10 m.
Studio Rossio: 5 × 9 m.
Studio K6: 5 × 5 m, with a sink (please ask about any restrictions on its use).
Music Room: 5 × 6 m, equipped with an acoustic piano and several other musical instruments.

Both Casa Vicente and Casa Miradouro also contain dedicated studio space. Many residents enjoy working outdoors. Suitable locations include the surrounding fields, the pergola (4 × 8 m), and the patio (7 × 10 m). We are always happy to suggest additional working spaces.

Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is located approximately 50 meters from the houses and cottages.
The water is slightly saline, which many guests find pleasant for the skin. The spacious terrace surrounding the pool offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
 
Wi-Fi
All apartments in Casa Principal are within range of our wireless network.
Casa Vicente and Casa Miradouro are outside the range of the routers. Residents staying there may prefer to use a mobile internet hotspot or work online from Casa Principal.

Laundry
An extra set of bed linen and towels is provided in your apartment.
Whenever you would like to do laundry, simply let us know. You load the washing machine, we will operate it, and you can hang your laundry outside to dry.

Shopping
A small supermarket is located in Évoramonte, approximately 5 km away.
For larger supermarkets and a wide range of shops, Estremoz is just 10 km away. Every Saturday morning, Estremoz hosts an excellent farmers' market.
We usually drive to Estremoz once or twice a week for groceries. You are welcome to join us or give us a shopping list.

Cleaning
Residents are responsible for keeping their accommodation clean during their stay.
Before departure, we ask you to leave your apartment or cottage in the same condition in which you found it. If you prefer, we can arrange final cleaning for an additional fee.

Community Life and House Guidelines
If you encounter any problems during your stay, please let us know. We are always happy to help.
To ensure a pleasant environment for everyone, we ask residents to keep noise to a minimum after 10:00 p.m. in the main house and on the terraces. Noisy activities should be limited to the studios or the pool area.
Smoking is prohibited inside all buildings. During the dry summer months, smokers are asked to be especially careful outdoors because of the high risk of wildfire.
Pets are generally not allowed.

Climate and Comfort
Outdoor Climate
The Alentejo has a continental climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.
From April through June and during September and October, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant, ranging between 20–30°C (68–86°F).
August can be hot, with daytime temperatures of 30–40°C (86–104°F). Fortunately, the swimming pool is only a short walk away, and nights usually cool down to 15–23°C (59–73°F).
Indoor Climate
The buildings are constructed with stone walls up to one meter thick, which help keep the interiors comfortably cool during the summer.
On hot days we recommend keeping doors and windows closed during the afternoon and opening them again during the cooler evening hours. All doors are fitted with mosquito screens. Apartments are equipped with fans but not air conditioning.
Most residents find the indoor temperature comfortable throughout the year. However, if you are sensitive to high summer temperatures, we recommend choosing another month instead of August.
During cooler months, all apartments have electric stone heaters. Casa Vicente has a wood-burning stove, while Casa Miradouro has both a wood stove and an electric heater. Heating costs are charged according to actual electricity consumption and are typically less than €5 per day.

For current rates, the application form, and payment information, please visit www.obrasresidencies.com.