Pezzolo Retreat Residency
Messina, ME, Italy
The Pezzolo Retreat Residency is a self-directed creative retreat designed for artists seeking uninterrupted time and space to explore, rest, and experiment.
The residency is designed to provide time, space, and freedom, allowing each participant to set their own goals and rhythms.
Open to individual artists or small groups of up to three collaborators, across any discipline—visual arts, performing arts, writing, music, dance, or interdisciplinary practices.
We encourage applicants who:
- Value self-directed, reflective, and experimental work.
- Are curious, open, and respectful of a shared residency environment.
- Appreciate slowing down and engaging deeply with their process, rather than focusing on a finished product.
- May wish to share their work informally with fellow residents or the local community, though this is entirely optional.
- Are inspired by natural surroundings and a remote village setting, and who might draw creatively from this unique context.
There are no strict requirements for public presentations or collaborative outcomes, besides a final reflection practice. Participants may choose to take part in a small, informal sharing if they so wish.
Contact
residency@trinacriatheatre.com
Via Mendolara 1
Vill. Pezzolo
98138 Messina ME
Italy
Residency Program Information
Year Founded
2016
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Longterm/embedded in neighborhood
Embedded in intentional community
Residency Program Type
Retreat
Community-engaged
Residency Program Summary
Residency Length
1 week - 3 weeks
Languages
English
Other
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
3
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Acting
Architecture
Book Arts
Choreography
Costume/Fashion Design
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mathematics
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Application Information
Additional Eligibility Information
- There is a fee of €45/night, or €315/week to participate. Participants may apply for 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
- Participants must be 18 or older at the time of the program. There is no upper age limit on participation.
- Participants may apply as individuals or in small groups (no more than 3).
- Artists are responsible for securing their own passports and visas necessary for travel.
- The residency will primarily be conducted in English. Good working knowledge of English is necessary for all participants.
- Candidates advancing to the next stage of the application will be contacted to schedule a short, informal interview and provide a character reference.
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
3
Artist Stipend
0
Euro (EUR)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
315
Euro (EUR)
Fee Details
What’s included:
There is a fee of €45/night, or €315/week to participate. Participants may apply for 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
- Accommodation in a private room in Casa Trinacria (shared bathrooms)
- Fully equipped shared kitchen space
- Access to workspaces
- Pick-up / drop-off at local airport bus stop
- 1 catered meal per day
- Transportation 1 - 2 times per week to a local grocery store
What’s Not Included:
- Airfare
- Artist materials
- Travel medical insurance (required for all participants from outside Italy)
- Passport or visa fees
- Groceries for additional meals
- Alcohol or snacks
- WiFi or cell phone plans
For detailed information on location, housing, meals, accessibility, transportation, language, and technology, please visit the FAQ/Logistics section of our Artist Residency page here.
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Application Fee
0
Euro (EUR)
Application Type
Open application
Accessibility
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information
- Mobility: Our residency takes place in a village that is over 800 years old and was built on a mountainside. Unfortunately, many parts of the village are only accessible by footpath or stairs. The living quarters of Casa Trinacria can only be accessed by stairs.
- Distance: The village of Pezzolo is separated from surrounding towns by a winding drive up a mountain road. This road is 7km long and takes approx. 15 - 20 minutes to drive. It may be challenging for inexperienced drivers or those who experience motion sickness.
- Amenities: There is only one business remaining open in Pezzolo, which is a small butcher shop. The butcher shop also stocks a few other dry goods, such as pasta, rice, canned goods, beer, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. There is also a small pharmacy which operates on very limited hours. For all other amenities (such as grocery stores, supply shops, post office, ATM, etc.), it is necessary to drive to nearby towns, a drive which takes at least 15 - 20 min in both directions. Artists are encouraged to keep this in mind in their planning.
- Wildlife: There are several colonies of feral cats living in Pezzolo. Other local wildlife include small lizards and geckos. Mosquitos are common in the summer. Less commonly seen, but still present in the local area, are garden snakes, hedgehogs, bats, owls, and even occasionally wild boar.
- Heat: Summer in Sicily is extremely dry, hot, and sunny. Hydration and sun protection are essential. Artists are encouraged to always pack refillable water bottles, sunscreen, and protective coverings such as hats. Tap water in Pezzolo is potable, and there are additional public drinking fountains throughout the village, directly from fresh mountain spring sources, where bottles can be refilled.
Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Mariagrazia La Fauci
Accessibility Contact Email
mariagrazia@trinacriatheatre.com
Housing & Accomodation
Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Common/Communal Spaces Information
- Residencies are hosted at Casa Trinacria. This is a 4 story family home managed by Trinacria. The house consists of:
- Floor 0: A large garage which can be utilized as a workspace, including a half bath
- Floor 1: A fully equipped shared communal kitchen, communal living and dining room, terrace, and full bath
- Floor 2: Three bedrooms, each with 2 single beds (can be pushed together to create a double bed), and a full bath
- Floor 3: Laundry machine and large rooftop terrace
- All participants should expect to share the kitchen, bathrooms, and other living spaces.
- Rooms are not air conditioned. Fans are provided in each room.
Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
No WIFI in housing
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Additional Meals Information
Vegan meal options can be requested
Vegetarian meal options can be requested
Gluten-free meal options can be requested
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Studio & Facilities
Computer/Internet Access
No WIFI available
Studios/Facilities Details
- Working space is allocated and shared based on the needs of the individual artists participating in the residency.
- Casa Trinacria has a large street-level garage space with a bathroom which can be used as a studio or rehearsal room.
- We are often able to access the Sala di Santa Maria, a community hall owned by the local parish church. This is a large open space with a small stage and a bathroom.
- Pezzolo is a village with an abundance of abandoned or semi-abandoned spaces. Our resident artists often elect to create in open or public spaces such as piazzas, streets, and courtyards. We are sometimes able to arrange access to private spaces based on the needs of our participating artists. Prior to your arrival in Sicily, we will have a conversation about your working space needs.
- Artists should not expect air conditioning in working spaces. If necessary, a fan will be provided.
Studios/Special Equipment
Shared Studios
Exhibition / Installation Space
Theater
Dance Studio Without Sprung Floor
Easels
Large Sinks
Washer And Dryer
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided