Let Me Bloom festival – calling all artists and teachers

Calling all artists, performers and teachers to attend our very first art festival. LAST CALL! Deadline: 28. FEBR, 2022.

Camino Art House is inviting artists, performers, instructors, teachers and coaches to participate in our Let Me Bloom art and self-improvement festival in Vega de San Mateo, Gran Canaria, on March 18 – 20, 2022.

Vision

Let Me Bloom is a mini art and self-improvement festival in the wild valley of Los Mireles, in Vega de San Mateo. Spring is the time when nature blooms and a new era of growing and maturing starts. We, as humans, need this growth more than ever. We need to unlearn our toxic habits and makespace for real, original values, like empathy, care, creativity, synchronicity and learning to live in harmony with nature and other beings around us.

Two essential tools on this journey are art and education. You can be creative or just let yourself take it all in; everyone will be part of the whole. We are inviting you – as an artist, performer, teacher – to use your skills and connect with our participants in your special, unique way so we all can enjoy and grow in different skills, like communication, creativity or empathy.

The festival will bea small, but inspiring three-day event in our magical valley. The venues of the different events, performances and workshops will be hidden in the land, in the caves, and under the trees. We imagine beautiful, inspiring and meaningful moments that we share while taking in, practising, or performing art in nature. The te mini stages will host all kinds of activities, they might be performances, where the audience is observing, interactive shows where the audience is involved, or workshops where the participants learn something new, or practise a special skill. The artists, performers, and teachers might perform their own show at one time and teach a connecting (or totally different) skill at another time in a different venue. We are all artists, and we are all students. Teaching and learning, performing and in-taking art are almost the same, we all meet in the beautiful line in the middle.

We invite all of you in the following areas of expertise (these are just ideas, suggestions, we are happy to enlarge the list):

Theatre / Theatre improvisation / Singing, singing classes and practice / Drawing / Painting / Free painting / The extraordinary world of illustration / Natural art making / Handpan music / Playfight, a playful method of connection and cooperation / Zen writing / Leaded meditation and visualisation / Collage making / Gypsy music / Jamming / African drumming / Dance / Free movement / Treasure hunting / Herbal medicines / Wild teas / Cooking workshops (vegan and raw) / Nutrition workshop / Food analyses / Enneagram and the art of acceptance / Whispering and storytelling / Men’s and women’s circles / Yoga as a whole / Asana practice / Mindful meditation / Music theory, where the trance comes from / many more..

Camino Art House

Camino Art House opened its doors in 2015. Since than we have offered accommodation and have run different projects with artists. This includes exhibitions, workshops in art, health and lifestyle topics, and many more events. We welcome travellers who are always happy to be involved in our daily life and share their own experiences with us.
We have an old building, which is the central house, and a large land, where the festival will take place. We have caves, meadows, and terraces to use. The house itself will not accommodate all of us, so we will open a special camp site for visitors and a special camp site for artists/performers/teachers.

Stages

We are planning to have ten mini stages. We have four caves that we can use for concerts, jamming, meditation, or other activities. The timing of each stages won’t overlap significantly, so participants can visit more activities/shows. We are located in a valley, but we have to be very careful with sound limitations. Our good relationship with our neighbors is very important for us We will have on-site supervisors, who will be responsible for safety and acceptable sound levels. .

Challenges

We are challenging you to keep the following recommendations:
1. Avoid drug consumption
2. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
3. Avoid loud, aggressive behavior
4. Avoid creating dangerous, reckless situations in nature
5. Not build fires or use open flames
6. Avoid littering
7. Avoid abusing nature
8. Be patient and understanding
9. Be careful when walking around in the valley or in the house (including the patio and the terrace)
10. Be helpful and courteous
11. Be quiet and caring
12. Be an considerate smoker. Please be polite and caring when you choose to smoke cigarettes, and always collect your cigarette butts in your personal ashtrays.

We are sharing a small space in these three days, and the space will be filled with a wide variety of activities, so we all need to be attentive and patient.

Toilets/showers

The toilet facilities are limited in the main house. Please use the dry toilets and pop up showers. Please leave the places clean after yourself.

Quiet hours

From early morning until the end of breakfast we will follow the rule of quiet hours, which means that talking, using the phones or other devices are not allowed , so we can enjoy the sounds of nature and our inner silence. We can take a moment to look back to our last day and take in all the benefits of our participation in the festival.
In the night we need to finish all loud activity before 11pm.

Accommodation//food

We offer free camping to our artists/performers/teachers. The area will be separated from the visitor’s camp site. We provide complimentary food three times a day. Drinking water is available all the times.

Benefits and Pay

We offer 100% funds from ticket sales to our artists/performers, instructors/teachers/coaches. This means that this 100% will be shared with all of you who are willing to participate/perform in this festival. Beside this, you will enjoy accommodation and food for free. Alcohol is not included in our hospitality, but coffee and tea are 🙂 Please bring a sleeping bag, as blankets are limited.

How to apply?

If you are interested in participating in the festival, please write an e-mail to bea@caminoart.org, or contact via whatsapp or phone on +34 633339903. Please briefly introduce yourself, your project(s), and write a few sentences about why you would like to participate in the festival. Please attach your portfolio or website. We are happy to see references of your work, if you have photos, sound recordings or videos of your earlier shows/performances/workshops please attach them or send a link.

The call is open until 15. February, 2022. Please send your application before the deadline.

We hope to see you at Camino Art House!

Narrative writing: going deeper

– a 2 days creative writing workshop –
Camino Art, Vega de San Mateo
10-12th December, 2021

Want to shape your experiences into effective stories you can share with the world?
Work with experienced storyteller and published author Philip Charter to unlock your authentic voice. This narrative writing workshop is your place!

Located in the beautiful surroundings of Vega de San Mateo, this weekend writing retreat will get your head out of the city and your stories onto the page.

It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time writer or an accomplished storyteller, an English learner or native-speaker, these inclusive and practical workshops will inspire you to get writing and stay motivated. Transform your work and reach your writing goals.

What you’ll get:

Four 60-minute writing workshops: Narrative Time, Real-Life Dialogue, Framing Stories, and Sound in Writing.
Campfire storytelling group session
Book exchange and discussion
A one-to-one feedback session with Philip
The opportunity to read at the story performance event
All accommodation included (shared or private)
All meals included (vegan options available)
Morning yoga session with Bea

Benefits:

Improved understanding of writing technique and story
Opportunity to meet and inspire other writers
Feedback on your work and tips for steps toward publication
Reading recommendations
Increased sense of focus and connection with nature

Schedule:

Friday 10th December

6pm Registration
7pm Dinner
8pm Story campfire session

Saturday 11th December

8 am Yoga
9am Breakfast
9.30-10.30am Workshop: Using Time in Narrative (60 minutes)
Break
11am – 12am Workshop: Real-Life Dialogue (60 minutes) – write and perform two-minute plays.
Lunch
Individual feedback sessions / personal writing time (all afternoon)
7pm Dinner
8pm Book exchange + reading from Philip’s book The Fisherwoman and other stories.

Sunday 11th December

8am Yoga
9am Breakfast
9.30-10.30am Workshop: Framing Stories (60 minutes)
Break
11am-12am Workshop: Sound in writing (60 minutes)
Lunch
Personal writing time.
4pm Story Performance event – Reading of final pieces. (6pm finish)

Hosts:

narrative writing workshopPhilip Charter is an award-winning author and writing coach who teaches non-native speakers. He has authored two collections of short fiction, Foreign Voices and The Fisherwoman and other stories. His debut novella will be published by V Press in 2022. He hates oranges, but likes orange cats.
Website: philipcharter.com

narrative writing workshopBea Baltavari is founder of Camino Art House, hatha yoga and vipassana meditaion teacher, traditional thai masseur, passionate cook and art lover, enjoys to create space to inspire others, also enjoys to bring people out from their comfort zone.

Prices:

Two nights accommodation – shared – 99 Euro per person
Two nights accommodation – private – 139 Euro per person
(2 x Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch + tea/coffee and snacks included)
Limited to 12 people (Covid compliance)

What to bring:

Warm / waterproof clothes
Books to exchange
Notebook + pen
Alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks

How to book: email caminoarthostel@gmail.com to reserve, then confirm by paying a deposit of 50 Euros.

Your precious escape

Is it your resting time? Your escape time? Do you want some space for your thoughts? Are you looking to reconnect to yourself? Do you need a break from the city? Is it time for you to focus on your offline work?

We are happy to announce that Camino Art House is looking for residents.

In other words we have rooms available for min of 2 weeks to max of 6 weeks periods. Therefore, if you are looking for a quiet place close to nature, simple living, relaxing and inspiring vibes, an old farm-style house and a large land to take slow walks and pick fresh lemon in the mountains, please don’t look more..

Do you feel the call to join us? If yes, please apply with a short motivation letter describing the followings. First of all: what you are looking for in this period of staying with us, secondly: what is your goal/project, third: why you prefer to live in nature at this period and not in the city. In addition tell us a little bit about yourself and the time of your arrival, and the ideal length of your stay as well. After getting you know a little bit and look at your request of the timing, we certainly will be in touch with you.

Camino Art House is located in Vega de San Mateo, 1.5km from the center of the town. There is an easy access by bus from Las Palmas. Please read more about the house. Internet is very slow in the house, however we have a special place in town where you can work freely and focused.

If you like to be part of our community please contact us on: caminoanddragon@gmail.com or +34633339903 (whatsapp)

Days OFF

Dear Digital Nomads (who needs a break)!

We are happy to invite you to enjoy a few days close to nature in an old house, far away from your daily routine but closer to your soul. We are an art house, with a big land, old caves, and long pathways to walk. You will find many hide away places here, and good moments to share ideas and talk about the big things of the life. You can spend days to look around at our place, and you will always find something new to discover. If you think you need any, or more of the followings, you found the best place for yourself:

Get creative
ConnEct
DisconnecT
Take bIg walks
Switch OFF your miNd
Switch ON your mind 🙂
Be Present
Find new Ideas
Rest
Get out of your comfort zonE
Do yoga

If you feel that you can connect with these activities in the list, contact us, and book your inspirational escape, which will be supporting our Association so we can keep doing what we love doing: make art, inspire others, teach and constantly learn.

Please find us on: caminoanddragon@gmail.com or +34633339903 (whatsapp)

We have hidden a password in the list above, if you find it, and you want to visit us, please send this short phrase by e-mail or whatsapp and we will give you a dinner for free 🙂

Your Escape

Dear Nature Lover Adventurous and Alternative People!

We are looking for you!

Our 4 private rooms are available for 8 weeks. We are looking for you if you love nature, alternative life is your choice, you are ok with weak wifi and you prefer disconnect from digital and connect to real.

If you are an artist who needs inspiration/time/space to create
If you are a digital nomad who needs a short escape from cities and parties and bars
If you are a cyclist who need a base for training
If you are secretly a gardener but you need to live in the city and you miss nature
If you are fresh lovers and you want to spend time in your nook
If you need a break from your everyday life and looking for reconnecting to yourself
If you want to spend a few weeks discovering the central part of Gran Canaria…

Camino Art House is your place.
From 13 May we are here to offer you a home. If you decide to stay with us, we are happy to receive your donation, which will support our Association. We are easily reachable by local bus, only 40 min from Las Palmas Old Town. Vega de San Mateo is only 20 minutes walk. If you are interested please whatsapp: +34633339903 or e-mail: camino@caminoart.org

These are the rooms that are waiting for you:

Double Nook

Family Green

Raktar Kucko

Birds’ Nest

And our land and house and vibes

Natural Movement Miniworkshop and Cave Meditation at Camino

We are very happy to welcome Eréndira Reindeer (Mex/Fin) dancer, performer, experimental theatre actress and craniosacral therapist and passionate dance teacher, to Camino Art House.
On Wednesday (22nd January), you can join us for a short introduction to contact dance, and enjoy free movement in our beautiful land. Eréndira will guide you through your doubts and show you the way how you can free yourself, let your emotions drive your body, and express yourself without words.
At the end of the two miniworkshops we invite you to a mediation session in one of our natural caves. These caves are perffectly silent, and perfect little spaces to switch off from reality and bring your focus to your inner peace.
Of course, as always, there will be healthy snacks, good company and inspiring vibes. We finish the afternoon with a magical (controlled) camp fire with live music by Gregory, our sweet guitarist and performer.
If you wish to sleep over, we give you a special price of 10€/person, but you can also catch the bus in the night hours at 9.30pm or 11pm.
TIMING:
1pm _____ Contact Improvisation on The Roof with Eréndira
We will learn our movement range, how to fall in a safe way, sharing weight with confidence, dance using different contact points of our body so we can lift, roll, and enjoy our learning, listening to our partner(s) and softness combined with a flow. No previous experience necessary and neither to be a dancer.
Also apt for those who already dance CI but would like to go back to basics. We will learn by playing and having fun!
Contact Improvisation is a form of improvised dancing that has been developing internationally since 1972. It involves the exploration of one’s body in relationship to others by using the fundamentals of sharing weight, touch, and movement awareness.
2.30pm _______ Snack time and sharing experiences
4pm ___ Natural Dance and Authentic Movement Miniworkshop
We will move and dance in the safety and beauty of the valley, connecting to ourselves, and to our surroundings. In Authentic Movement we move with our eyes closed, always taken care of by a partner, and let our truest dance express itself without pressure, without going after it, it appears when we sink into ourselves.
Nature will always hold us with her earthy smells, poetry, silence, sounds and open arms. Welcome to a different dance, your truest dance, to a deep connection with nature and therefore: yourself. No previous experience nor being a dancer necessary.
6pm _______ Cave Mediation
7pm _________ Music, Camp Fire, Snacks

Contribution for the whole event is 10€

Earth Days at Camino Art House

Do you dream about spending a few days connected to Nature around Christmas? This is your chance!

We are happy to invite you to spend two days at Camino Art House and do yoga, listen to music and connect to Earth. You will be able to learn about local plants, help in building shelters in the land, participate in handpan meditation and eat nice food made of local ingredients from the local market.

You can come only for a day, but feel free to book with us and stay over in our 90 years old farmhouse, or one of our cave rooms.

Here is the program:

20 December, Friday

  • from 4 pm arrival, landscape art-making, learning techniques
  • 7 pm – dinner (vegan)
  • 8 pm – sound bath in the cave
  • campfire

21 December, Saturday

  • 7.30 am – morning sound bath with yoga
  • 9 am – breakfast
  • 10 – 12 – Flora walk in the land, picking snacks
  • 12 pm – lunch
  • 2 pm landscape art-making, learning about permaculture
  • 7 pm – dinner (vegan)
  • 8 pm – music and wine

22 December, Sunday

  • 7.30 am – morning sound bath with yoga
  • 9 am – breakfast
  • finishing art/building projects
  • 1 pm lunch
  • free time, goodbye

Contributions:

stay over: 10€/night/person

one day: 15€ / person – including workshops, yoga, music and food on a full day (not including accommodation)

half day: 10€ / person – including workshops, yoga, music and food on a half-day (not including accommodation)

all days: 22€ / person – including workshops, yoga, music and food on all  days (not including accomodation)

Info and booking:

caminoarthostel@gmail.com

on WhatsApp: +34 633339903