Residency Dates
9 – 30 September 2025
Artist Images
Residency Images
Testimonial
"My time at Xenia has been truly transformative. From the moment I arrived, I was swept away by the beauty and tranquillity of the land and by the kindness of the Xenia team, who made me feel deeply cared for.
As a true city girl, the quiet magic of the countryside astonished me: wild deer and hare darting across open fields, the vast skies stretching out to the horizon, and the soft, constant chorus of birdsong and rustling leaves. Even when I was alone, I never felt lonely; nature kept me company in every moment.
I walked, wandered, and often simply stood still, drinking it all in. Autumn brought a tender mix of silence and softness, an invitation to slow down. I came to Xenia to listen, to quiet the noise inside my head so I could finally hear the world around me.
In this season of change, I found myself weaving and stitching with nature's gifts: pine needles, ash seed pods, wildflowers. Nature became my teacher, my inspiration, my companion, and my healer. After a difficult time this year, possibilities began to open, and I finally felt brave enough to transform.
The cosy living space, the warmth of Lucy, Felipe, Jaye and Bianca, and the beautiful light-filled studio made me feel safe and creatively free. Wandering the land, gathering small treasures, and breathing in the peace was a daily joy.
My practice grew in ways I could never have imagined. What might have taken months unfolded in just weeks. Since returning home, my work has gained the clarity and direction I had long been searching for. Something feels complete, and yet something new is beginning.
This retreat was a gift, gentle yet powerful. I will treasure it always."
Bio
Born
1986,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
About
Joanne is an Irish artist and maker specialising in woven textiles, often incorporating basketry techniques to create one-off artworks. As a contemporary basketmaker, she has her own expressive style, taking inspiration from nature and the ingenuity of makers that have come before us. Following a successful career of fifteen years in textile design, she completed her Master's at the Royal College of Art in 2023. Since then, she has been exhibiting her work across the UK, including as part of the London Design Festival, London Craft Week, and at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition.
Driven by the desire to connect with and preserve the beauty of nature, by tuning into the cycles and seasons, Joanne hopes to communicate what the planet has given us and inspire a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
“My delicate baskets have been inspired by my impressions and memories of the landscape, combining natural materials and textile processes to create intimate, yet expressive vessels. They directly connect to my experiences in nature, where colour and texture become tangible references to memory.’’
Visit Joanne’s website here: www.joannelambstudio.co.uk
Residency Dates
9 – 30 September 2025
Artist Images
Residency images
Testimonial
"My time at Xenia has been truly transformative. From the moment I arrived, I was swept away by the beauty and tranquillity of the land and by the kindness of the Xenia team, who made me feel deeply cared for.
As a true city girl, the quiet magic of the countryside astonished me: wild deer and hare darting across open fields, the vast skies stretching out to the horizon, and the soft, constant chorus of birdsong and rustling leaves. Even when I was alone, I never felt lonely; nature kept me company in every moment.
I walked, wandered, and often simply stood still, drinking it all in. Autumn brought a tender mix of silence and softness, an invitation to slow down. I came to Xenia to listen, to quiet the noise inside my head so I could finally hear the world around me.
In this season of change, I found myself weaving and stitching with nature's gifts: pine needles, ash seed pods, wildflowers. Nature became my teacher, my inspiration, my companion, and my healer. After a difficult time this year, possibilities began to open, and I finally felt brave enough to transform.
The cosy living space, the warmth of Lucy, Felipe, Jaye and Bianca, and the beautiful light-filled studio made me feel safe and creatively free. Wandering the land, gathering small treasures, and breathing in the peace was a daily joy.
My practice grew in ways I could never have imagined. What might have taken months unfolded in just weeks. Since returning home, my work has gained the clarity and direction I had long been searching for. Something feels complete, and yet something new is beginning.
This retreat was a gift, gentle yet powerful. I will treasure it always."
Born
1986,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
About
Joanne is an Irish artist and maker specialising in woven textiles, often incorporating basketry techniques to create one-off artworks. As a contemporary basketmaker, she has her own expressive style, taking inspiration from nature and the ingenuity of makers that have come before us. Following a successful career of fifteen years in textile design, she completed her Master's at the Royal College of Art in 2023. Since then, she has been exhibiting her work across the UK, including as part of the London Design Festival, London Craft Week, and at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition.
Driven by the desire to connect with and preserve the beauty of nature, by tuning into the cycles and seasons, Joanne hopes to communicate what the planet has given us and inspire a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
“My delicate baskets have been inspired by my impressions and memories of the landscape, combining natural materials and textile processes to create intimate, yet expressive vessels. They directly connect to my experiences in nature, where colour and texture become tangible references to memory.’’
Visit Joanne’s website here: www.joannelambstudio.co.uk
© 2020 Xenia Creative Retreat | Hampshire, UK
© 2020 Xenia Creative Retreat | Hampshire, UK