Over the past three weeks, the village of San Lawrenz has enjoyed its first-ever artist residency programme, organised by the local council, and the village is now celebrating its successful conclusion.
This residency, an initiative of the San Lawrenz Local Council and part of the project Enhancing the Rural Artistic Characteristics of San Lawrenz, was co-funded by the European Union through the LEADER Rural Development Programme for Malta 2014–2020. The project aimed to explore the cultural, natural, and rural heritage of San Lawrenz while strengthening community participation through the arts.
Six talented international artists — Gabriella, Victor, Pep, Ed, Paulina, and Jamie — immersed themselves in the spirit and life of our village. Through their work, they uncovered and reimagined the stories, landscapes, and traditions that define San Lawrenz.
Beyond the beautiful artworks created, the real achievement of this residency was the bond formed between the artists and our local community. Groups such as the Folk Group, the Bells Group, the school, the parish and many other residents engaged wholeheartedly, making this project a truly collective experience.
Special thanks go to Artistic Director Elyse Tonna, whose vision and passion shaped this residency into a living dialogue between past and future. Deep gratitude is also extended to Michelle Vella for her excellent logistical coordination, and to Executive Secretary Josianne Cassar for her essential support throughout the process.
The positive feedback and encouragement we received from the community have been overwhelming, affirming our belief that San Lawrenz has a vibrant cultural spirit that deserves to be nurtured.
With such a successful first edition behind us, the San Lawrenz Local Council is more committed than ever to continue supporting artistic initiatives — and we look forward with excitement to welcoming new artists and ideas in the years to come.