A unique, non-traditional artist residency hosted at Watergate Bay Hotel on the spectacular north Cornwall coast. This partnership offers visual artists the opportunity to immerse themselves in a striking natural environment, using the hotel, its diverse outdoor areas, and its iconic two-mile surfing beach as a living canvas. Designed to embrace the hotel’s core philosophy of ‘active relaxation,’ the residency encourages artists to explore new ideas, techniques, and perspectives inspired by the shifting Atlantic weather, light, and coastal landscape.
The residency offers a fully flexible four-night stay at the contemporary 80-bedroom hotel, in return for the artist creating and interacting with the hotel’s spaces in ways that add magic to the guest experience, while respecting the tranquil nature of the guest stays. Due to the hotel’s vast ocean-facing windows, traditional exhibition space is limited; therefore, projects must organically coexist with the architecture and environment.
In line with Watergate Bay’s legacy of doing the unexpected, from hosting Cornwall’s first coastal ice rink to beach polo, the Open Spaces programme specifically seeks “non-traditional beachscape artists” who can bring brave, boundary-pushing concepts to the coast. Ideal applicants will integrate sustainability into the core of their practice, exploring the natural world or marine life through a fresh, unexpected lens that appeals to the inner child and brings the local community together.
Residency Details
- Duration: A flexible four-night stay at Watergate Bay Hotel, taking place in November 2026.
- Inclusions:
- Four nights’ bed and breakfast in a beach loft overlooking the Atlantic, for two.
- Breakfast each morning in The Living Space dining room.
- A three-course dinner for two (excluding drinks) in two of the hotel’s three restaurants (The Living Space, Zacry’s and The Beach Hut), with one evening left free.
- A treatment for one.
- A surf lesson for two.
- Content creation from the hotel’s marketing team, distributed across its website (70K users a month), social media (250K+ followers), and newsletter (80K+ subscribers).
- Please note: travel and travel expenses are not included.
- Requirements: Artists must propose concepts that are non-disruptive to guests and accommodate limited traditional wall-exhibition space.
- Dates: Exact dates to be confirmed upon selection; the hotel will work with the successful artist to tailor an itinerary designed to inspire their stay.
- Eligibility: Open to UK-based artists only.
Watergate Bay Hotel is a contemporary beachside destination known for striking a balance between getting outdoors and finding quiet, social spaces. With a DNA rooted in bravery and unique experiences, the hotel delivers a home-from-home hospitality that celebrates active experiences, seasonal Cornish produce, and the raw beauty of the coastline.
