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ATELIER ANAMÚ
hábitat para creativos
Atelier Anamú is a creative habitat where the moon shines bright in the sky.
An artist residency space in the southeast of the archipelago of Borikén — Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
Rooted in her ancestral calling, artist and professor Sofía Maldonado Suárez founded Atelier Anamú to decentralize her studio practice, connect to her inner silence, and nurture a forest of endemic trees and wildflowers that support pollinators. She welcomes artists from around the world to her farmland through the Atelier Anamú Residency Program. Immersed in a rural-coastal setting, the residency provides space to develop projects from a wide range of disciplines: visual art, humanities, sound, and cross-disciplinary approaches.
Yabucoa is an agricultural town with coastal turtle nesting areas, migratory birds, guajonales, and a rich cultural heritage. The residency is designed for professionals seeking a tranquil space to reflect on, deepen, or transform their practice within the everyday life of the Caribbean, where creativity and nature flourish.
Artists-in-residence can use Atelier Anamú’s open farmland as their experimental grounds. During their stay, they will receive a studio space and, if needed, mentoring from Sofía, a professional in their field, or we can coordinate an open studio. We provide accommodation on the premises in a fully eco-friendly RV camper, equipped with solar power and a water cistern. We are located two blocks from the beach, near a few “chichorros”, and about a 45-minute drive from Ceiba airport and the ferry to Vieques and Culebra.
To apply for the Atelier Anamú Residency Program, see the section below for more details on the application process.
If you are interested in a vacation stay, use the button below —Check Availability— to book accordingly.
The Art
Residency.
Atelier Anamú Residency Program welcomes artists and educators from a wide range of disciplines: visual art, humanities, sound, and cross-disciplinary approaches.
The program fosters self-reflection and creative freedom by encouraging residents to interact with the open farmland or nearby coastline.
It is self-funded and runs for two, three, or four weeks each month. Located on the farmland where artist Sofía Maldonado Suárez maintains her studio, the residency draws on her plein air painting practice but welcomes ephemeral, experience-based, and ecological projects. Residents are encouraged to slow down, observe, and engage with the land and its stories.
Artists may begin new work, expand ongoing projects, or pursue research during their stay. If they are seeking feedback, we recommend scheduling a mentoring session with Sofía during their stay. Our mission is to connect residents with Puerto Rico’s cultural, artistic, and environmental diversity.
Studio:
Artists-in-residence are encouraged to use Atelier Anamú’s open farmland as their studio or experimental grounds. For those who need a more traditional workspace, we provide La Casita, a private cement structure (8 ft. × 8 ft.) designated as a studio hub and equipped with a work table and sink.
We also offer resources to support resident projects, including a portable painting easel, scrap wood, a video projector, a sewing machine, and a wood-fired pit for local clay experiments.
Those interested in farming therapy will find ample space to explore this practice, along with our partnership with a local agro-ecological farm. We also recommend nearby hikes to Reserva Natural Inés M. Mendoza, Playa Lucía, or Punta Tuna.
Lodging:
Artists may stay two, three, or four weeks. We welcome only one artist or a couple per term. The experience is designed to feel like glamping!
The selected resident stays on the farmland perimeter in a private RV with a queen-size bed, dining/living area, full bathroom, and kitchenette. The unit also includes air conditioning, WiFi, and a TV. Residents have access to an outdoor gas stove, shower, and private patio. For added security and comfort, the property has solar panels and a built-in water cistern in case of utility shortages. Atelier Anamú is within walking distance of EL Negro Beach, a fruit shake stand, and a local bar & restaurant in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
Application process:
We accept applications year-round, with a particular emphasis on nature-immersion projects. The process is transparent and communicative. Use the subject line “Atelier Anamú Residency Program Inquiry” to email your proposal to: studio@sofiamaldonado.com
Project proposals should be limited to 500 words and include 5 to 10 images, along with a link to your website or social media. Be specific about your preferred dates and the length of your stay.
*Puerto Rican or diaspora artists may be eligible for a reduced artist’s rate and are encouraged to inquire if this applies to them.
Selection process:
Our main focus is to welcome artists whose work fits Atelier Anamú’s spirit. We review every proposal for creativity, intention, and compatibility with the residency’s facilities. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional details or invited to a video call interview to discuss their project in more detail. We will notify artists within 30 days of inquiry and include details about the artist’s rate based on the proposed length of stay.
Please let us know if you need a formal letter for funding.
Transportation:
A car is necessary to travel around Yabucoa and its nearby towns. While Atelier Anamú staff can assist with basic trips for groceries, hardware store, and essentials, the artist-in-residence is responsible for planning their own transportation logistics.
VIA AIRPLANE: International and mainland visitors should fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan. Arriving via Ceiba is also a suitable option, particularly for those traveling from other Caribbean destinations or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
VIA CAR: From San Juan, visitors can rent a car near the airport or take a taxi or rideshare service to Yabucoa. We will send a link with the pin location when residency is confirmed.
