The Godfrey Cheathem Arts Residency in Marlborough is for artists and writers. Living and working among the region’s famous vineyards in a peaceful setting, this is a place to retreat and find space to focus on your art or writing project, and offers an opportunity to share your work with the community.
Who is Godfrey Cheathem?
The Godfrey Cheathem Arts Residency is named after the main character in residency trustee Luke Elworthy’s novel.
Godfrey Cheathem’s last letter does not mention arts residencies. He might have been as sceptical about their benefits as he was about those of creative writing courses, which he described as “the very last place anyone would suspect you of writing creatively”. But others may agree with Godfrey’s brother Damon's assessment: “Frankly, he could have used the help.”
The residency
The purpose of the Godfrey Cheathem Arts Residency Trust is to create an inspiring living and working space for visiting visual artists and writers.
For the trust, seeing the work that is produced, and being involved in the journey, is stimulating. We encourage our residents to share their experience and knowledge positively with the local community, including with Marlborough art and writers’ organisations, and schools. We are a supporter of the Marlborough Book Festival, helping provide accommodation to visiting authors, and we work closely with the Millennium Public Art Gallery.
The residency is grateful for the generous support of Rock Ferry Wines, “real wines which speak of their home”.
Our residents will receive free accommodation at The Twig, a space to work, and a weekly stipend. A writer and visual artist may share the residency, for which additional purpose-built studio space would be provided, or a solo stay may be appropriate.
The Twig
The Twig is a spacious four-bedroom residence nestled in beautiful Rapaura, the heart of Marlborough wine country. Here, the wide skies and open landscapes sweep from vineyards to rugged mountains. Surrounded by tranquil gardens and carefully furnished, it is your place to create, be inspired, and find connection, naturally.
The Twig is located about 10 minutes from Blenheim and close to many wineries.
Length of stay
We know every art and writing project unfolds differently. That is why the length of each residency will be determined between the trust and the artist or writer. A residency could vary from several weeks to up to three months, depending on the project and available funding.
About Marlborough
Located at the northeast corner of the South Island of New Zealand, Marlborough is known for its incredible and diverse natural beauty and its wine. The region has an active arts and writers’ community, including Blenheim’s Millennium Public Art Gallery and the Marlborough Book Festival.
The Godfrey Cheathem Art Residency’s location provides easy access to the Marlborough Sounds, many wineries, wild Pacific coast and vast high country.
Marlborough is an easy 20-minute flight from Wellington, 1.5 hour-flight from Auckland, or four-hour drive from Christchurch.
Trustees
Left to right: Sam Robinson, Cressida Bishop, Nicolas Dillon, Rachel Quigley, Luke Elworthy.