OBRAS offers artists time and focus for independent work. The residency is centered on sustained practice rather than production, emphasizing duration, concentration, and continuity. It is a place designed for work, attention, and depth.
About OBRAS
OBRAS is a Portuguese word meaning “work in progress.” OBRAS Art Residencies was formerly known as Foundation OBRAS. It began in 2002 and is expected to continue well into the 2030s. The general aim of OBRAS is to provide the space, support, and hospitality necessary for effective work in art and science. We look forward to hosting you. We hope you will feel freed from everyday business, family concerns, and consumerism. You are invited to focus fully on your artistic work, to explore paths that may lead to unexpected fields—or to nowhere at all, yet still make sense. If you are used to living in large cities, you may experience both the advantages and the limitations of the countryside. One of the advantages is that nature begins right at your doorstep. You can take wonderful walks and make herbal tea from plants in our garden. At night, the silence is profound, and the sky is filled with stardust. A possible disadvantage is that, without a car, trips to the supermarket take more time. We provide space for both working and living, and we respect your privacy and personal wishes. Making your residency productive is, first and foremost, your own responsibility. Generally, there are about five residents at the same time. We offer opportunities to give an artist’s talk or presentation in an informal setting. About once per five days, we share a communal dinner. Twice a year, we organize an open studio. The house is non-smoking, and pets are generally not allowed. In your application, you define a project or goal for your residency and summarize your professional achievements. Within three weeks, we will inform you whether we are able to invite you. The criteria for acceptance are artistic quality, professionalism, and our assessment of whether we can meet your expectations.
The Experience
Arrival and Welcome
On the day of arrival, we arrange a meeting to set some practical things: copy your passport, getting two telephone numbers of relatives who we can call in case of emergency, show you the buildings and direct surroundings, explain about the recycling, talk about your project and special needs and wishes and, if not done already, you pay your fee as indicated on your invitation letter.
Apartments and cottages
You will have your own private apartment and, if you wish, your own studio. You are welcome to rearrange the furniture in your apartment or remove paintings from the walls, but please return everything to its original state when you leave.
The kitchens in all apartments and cottages are equipped with basic amenities, including a refrigerator, cooking plate, microwave, coffee machine, electric kettle, and pots and pans. The tap water is of high quality.
Casa Principal
has eight apartments. In general, the apartments have a floor area of approximately 32 m², divided into a living/bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom.
Apartments 1 and 4 have a double bed.
Apartments 3, 5, 7, and 8 have two single beds.
Apartment 2 is currently used as the piano room.
Apartment 6 is currently used as a studio.
All apartments have both an inside and an outside entrance and a private terrace at the outside door. Apartments 7 and 8 have extended terraces.
Casa Vicente
has a floor area of 75 m² and consists of a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, and studio. It has three outside doors and two terraces.
Casa Miradouro
Has a floor area of 75 m² and includes a living room/studio, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. It has one outside door and three terraces.
The kitchen in all apartments and cottages has basic equipment such as fridge, cooking plate, microwave, coffee machine and water boiler, pots and pans. The tap water is of high quality.
Studios
We offer studios for visual art and performance work. Currently, all indoor studios have electricity but no other facilities. There are also many opportunities to work outdoors: in the fields, under a pergola (4 × 8 m), or in a patio (7 × 10 m). You are also welcome to ask us for advice on suitable working spaces. Casa Miradouro and Casa Vicente, both have studio space inside.
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 room with a sink (please ask about restrictions on using the sink)
Music room
5 × 6 m, with an acoustic piano and several other musical instruments
Outside temperature
This part of the country has a continental climate with some oceanic influence. From April until June and in September and October the temperature is very mild (20-30 oC). In August the days can be hot (30-40 oC), but the swimming pool is nearby and nights generally remain cool (15-23 oC).
Room temperature
The house has very thick stone walls (up to 1 m). Therefore, it remains cool even on the hottest days of the year. On those days it is important to keep the door closed in the hottest hours and to open it in the coolest hours of the night (the door has a mosquito net). There is a ventilator available but no air conditioning. The room temperature is regarded as pleasant by virtually all our guests.
Nevertheless, if you cannot cope with the summer heat, better not choose for a residency in August. And if you need an apartment with a temperature that is constantly higher than 20 oC, better choose June, August or September.
There is an electrical stone-heater in all apartments. In Casa Vicente is a wood stove and in Casa
Miradouro both an electricals heater and a wood stove. When you use the heating (may be in April or October during the night), you pay for what you use (mostly not more than 5€ per day). For the electrical heating you can follow your electricity use on a counter.
WiFi
All apartments in Casa Principal are in the reach of two routers for wireless working. The two cottages have no reach: best is buying a devise for working independent of the routers or do your internet in the Casa Principal.
Travel Information
If you fly to Lisbon, the most efficient options are to rent a car or to travel by express bus. There are express buses from Lisbon Sete Rios to Estremoz. Please check the timetable at www.rede-expressos.pt. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Sete Rios bus station. At the Estremoz bus station, we will pick you up and take you to the supermarket before going to the residence. But if you prefer: you can also travel from Estremoz bus station to our location by taxi or local bus (see www.rodoviaria.pt). The local bus runs three times a day but does not operate on weekends. The bus stop is located at our gate and is called Parque de Campismo Alentejo. From there, walk through the gate marked “Herdade da Marmeleira” and continue along the unpaved path for about 400 meters to reach us.
On your day of arrival, we will arrange a welcome meeting to take care of practical matters: making a copy of your passport, collecting two emergency contact telephone numbers, showing you the buildings and the immediate surroundings, explaining recycling procedures, discussing your project and any special needs or wishes, and—if not already done—settling your fee as indicated in your invitation letter.
Laundry
In your cupboard you will find an extra set of bed linen and towels. You decide when you feel it is necessary to do laundry. Please inform us when you would like to do so: you load the washing machine, we will operate it, and you will hang it on the laundry line. Each load costs €4.
Supermarket
In Évoramonte (5 km) there is a small supermarket. In Estremoz (10 km) there are several supermarkets, and on Saturday mornings there is an excellent farmers’ market. Once or twice a week we go to Estremoz for grocery shopping. You are welcome to join us or provide a shopping list.
Artist Materials
Some semi-professional materials (such as paper and paints) are available in Estremoz. You can also order supplies online. We have good experience with Ponto das Artes, which offers good-quality materials at reasonable prices and delivers quickly. For ordering or inquiries, see www.pontodasartes.com. They speak English. Telephone: +351 21 431 4830. Contact person: Sandra Diniz.
We advise against sending materials by post, especially from outside the EU. Customs procedures can be complicated and time-consuming, import taxes may apply, and delivery can take more than four weeks.
The quality of local marble is highly valued by sculptors; pieces can be collected free of charge near the quarries. Cork is another regional product with strong artistic potential. It is stripped from the bark in summer and stored and processed in local factories.
We also have a good-quality piano, flute, guitar, recorders, cajón, and several other instruments mainly intended for social or informal use.
Cleaning
During your residency, you are responsible for keeping your apartment clean. At the end of your stay, we expect the apartment to be left in the same condition as upon arrival. If you prefer not to clean it yourself, we can do so for you at your expense (see rates below).
Pool
The swimming pool is located about 50 meters from the houses and cottages. It contains slightly salty water, which is beneficial for the skin. The pool area has a large terrace and offers a stunning view.
Night Silence
After 10:00 pm, please keep noise to a minimum in the main house and on the terraces, and limit noisy activities to the working studios or the pool area.
Non-Smoking Policy
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the buildings. During summer, smokers must exercise particular caution outdoors to prevent fire hazards.
Insurance and Medical Services
In case of emergency, we are always available to help.
You are required to have international medical insurance as well as third-party liability insurance. Medical facilities are available in Estremoz (24-hour first aid) and in Évora (university hospital).
Obras does not accept legal responsibility.
PRACTICALITIES
Travel Information
If you fly to Lisbon, the most efficient options are to rent a car or to travel by express bus. There are express buses from Lisbon Sete Rios to Estremoz. Please check the timetable at www.rede-expressos.pt. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Sete Rios bus station. At the Estremoz bus station, we will pick you up and take you to the supermarket before going to the residence. But if you prefer: you can also travel from Estremoz bus station to our location by taxi or local bus (see www.rodoviaria.pt). The local bus runs three times a day but does not operate on weekends. The bus stop is located at our gate and is called Parque de Campismo Alentejo. From there, walk through the gate marked “Herdade da Marmeleira” and continue along the unpaved path for about 400 meters to reach us.
On your day of arrival, we will arrange a welcome meeting to take care of practical matters: making a copy of your passport, collecting two emergency contact telephone numbers, showing you the buildings and the immediate surroundings, explaining recycling procedures, discussing your project and any special needs or wishes, and—if not already done—settling your fee as indicated in your invitation letter.
WIFI
All apartments in Casa Principal are in the reach of two routers for wireless working. The two cottages have no reach: best is buying a devise for working independent of the routers or do your internet in the Casa Principal.
Supermarket
In Évoramonte (5 km) there is a small supermarket. In Estremoz (10 km) there are several supermarkets, and on Saturday mornings there is an excellent farmers’ market. Once or twice a week we go to Estremoz for grocery shopping. You are welcome to join us or provide a shopping list.
Artist Materials
Some semi-professional materials (such as paper and paints) are available in Estremoz. You can also order supplies online. We have good experience with Ponto das Artes, which offers good-quality materials at reasonable prices and delivers quickly. For ordering or inquiries, see www.pontodasartes.com. They speak English. Telephone: +351 21 431 4830. Contact person: Sandra Diniz.
We advise against sending materials by post, especially from outside the EU. Customs procedures can be complicated and time-consuming, import taxes may apply, and delivery can take more than four weeks.
The quality of local marble is highly valued by sculptors; pieces can be collected free of charge near the quarries. Cork is another regional product with strong artistic potential. It is stripped from the bark in summer and stored and processed in local factories.
We also have a good-quality piano, flute, guitar, recorders, cajón, and several other instruments mainly intended for social or informal use.
Cleaning
During your residency, you are responsible for keeping your apartment clean. At the end of your stay, we expect the apartment to be left in the same condition as upon arrival. If you prefer not to clean it yourself, we can do so for you at your expense (see rates below).
Room temperature
The house has very thick stone walls (up to 1 m). Therefore, it remains cool even on the hottest days of the year. On those days it is important to keep the door closed in the hottest hours and to open it in the coolest hours of the night (the door has a mosquito net). There is a ventilator available but no air conditioning. The room temperature is regarded as pleasant by virtually all our guests.
Nevertheless, if you cannot cope with the summer heat, better not choose for a residency in August. And if you need an apartment with a temperature that is constantly higher than 20 oC, better choose June, August or September.
There is an electrical stone-heater in all apartments. In Casa Vicente is a wood stove and in Casa
Miradouro both an electricals heater and a wood stove. When you use the heating (may be in April or October during the night), you pay for what you use (mostly not more than 5€ per day). For the electrical heating you can follow your electricity use on a counter.
Outside temperature
This part of the country has a continental climate with some oceanic influence. From April until June and in September and October the temperature is very mild (20-30 oC). In August the days can be hot (30-40 oC), but the swimming pool is nearby and nights generally remain cool (15-23 oC).
Disciplines
AS is a Portuguese word meaning “work in progress.” OBRAS Art Residencies was formerly known as Foundation OBRAS. It began in 2002 and is expected to continue well into the 2030s. The general aim of OBRAS is to provide the space, support, and hospitality necessary for effective work in art and science. We look forward to hosting you. We hope you will feel freed from everyday business, family concerns, and consumerism. You are invited to focus fully on your artistic work, to explore paths that may lead to unexpected fields—or to nowhere at all, yet still make sense. If you are used to living in large cities, you may experience both the advantages and the limitations of the countryside. One of the advantages is that nature begins right at your doorstep. You can take wonderful walks and make herbal tea from plants in our garden. At night, the silence is profound, and the sky is filled with stardust. A possible disadvantage is that, without a car, trips to the supermarket take more time. We provide space for both working and living, and we respect your privacy and personal wishes. Making your residency productive is, first and foremost, your own responsibility. Generally, there are about five residents at the same time. We offer opportunities to give an artist’s talk or presentation in an informal setting. About once per five days, we share a communal dinner. Twice a year, we organize an open studio. The house is non-smoking, and pets are generally not allowed. In your application, you define a project or goal for your residency and summarize your professional achievements. Within three weeks, we will inform you whether we are able to invite you. The criteria for acceptance are artistic quality, professionalism, and our assessment of whether we can meet your expectations.