The ROCK -

artist residence in Norway -

Deadline for 2026 - 1. January 2026

Our residency

The ROCK artist residence is located on the beautiful 16-18th century
Eker Gård in Skammestein, a few minutes from the breathtaking
Jotunheimen area with more than 250 mountain peaks, including
Northern Europe largest peaks.
The farm offers a professionaly run gallery showing well-known artists, a barn with a capacity for housing concerts, parties, courses and studios.
We also have an ongoing development of a permaculture garden in collaboration with the Kvann organization.

The Artist in Residence program is open to Norwegian and international artists.
The individual program is designed together with the artist. The residency period is a minimum of 1 week and up to 4 weeks.
To work and live in Øystre Slidre is a true inspiration. Both on a
personal and an artistic level.
The culmination of the residency can be your own exhibition in a suitable location
on the farm at the end of you stay or later.

The name

So why the name Rock?

The Rock is linked to the place name Skammestein, which in
Norwegian means a flat rock.

Just above the farm towers the Valdres mountain Bitihorn … one iconic mountain In particular. In the field outside is a stone with history from the previous ice age.

Jotunheimen, which is a few kilometers from the farm, is one of Norway most beautiful and wild mountain areas.

Beitostølen (nearby) has for many years hosted a music festival called ‘Troll
Rock’.

The people

The program is run by sculptor Anni Onsager, and the Eker Gård Culture & Nature Company..

Anni Onsager, the owner, studied Visual Art-Sculpture at West Dean College in England ( Sussex University) where she
graduated with a masters degree.

Statement from visiting artist in 2023:

Eker Gård was a fascinating place for me to work as an artist. So close to nature with fascinating landscapes and views. It was a great inspiration for my drawing work.
My stay in the cabin was perfect, as was the large private studio in the barn where could work all day. I liked the farmhouse garden as well it’s beautiful and a good place to relax!
What certainly contributed to this pleasant stay was Anni and Einar's hospitality and helpfulness.

Practical information

Housing and studio

We offer accommodation in a small cabin with a dobble bed, private bathroom and your own kitchen and you can use the farm facilities; sauna and outdoor kichen. Vegetables and herbs can be harvested in the permaculture garden during the summer months. There are several rooms available for studio space.

We will also show you around to experience nature and culture in the area and help you with equipment and any other necessary
support.
Price is Nok 2000 ( food not included) pr stay. The price includes housing, studio, bed linen, towels, access to washing machine, private kitchen, bathroom and Wi-Fi.

Time period

A stay can be adapted to the artist`s wishes , but must be a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 4 weeks in the summer/fall.

Transportation:
You can bring your own car or rent a car at the airport. Or take a bus that has frequent daily departures to/from Oslo and several other places via Fagernes.
We can pick you up at the bus stop but it is also possible to walk to the farm from there.

Selection

Selection process for an Artist in Residency:
Your applications will be evaluated by

Anni Onsager and 1-2 experts in the artistic field.
The application process is based on professional assessment and
whether we can offer what the artist desires from his stay.
We also want the artist to experience and to make use of the inspirational surroundings, both natural and cultural, that the farm and Valdres in general has to offer.

We do not want to set strict limits on the type of application and we welcome artists in Visual Arts, Audiovisual art, Literature, Music and Performing arts .

Deadline for entry 1.1.2025 for 2025.

Hope to see you application soon!

Støttet av:

Application form

EKER GÅRD