Driftwood Studios is a small family residency where you will have private workspaces to develop be it in wood, metal, stone or ceramic media. They have also hosted writers and photographers. The Studio/Gallery is also big enough for drama workshops. Yoga, mindfulness and meditation classes are held regularly. Book an adventure nature walk down the hill on our beach. There is a canoe safari for birders, where you could easily spot all five species of kingfishers, a host of raptors, dolphins and whales. After a tough day doing art, treat yourself to very affordable massage therapy on-site. There is a network of artists and crafters, galleries and museums in the area that the organisers would share. The incredible bushman rock art can be visited with their local expert guide.

Driftwood is in the village of Rainbow Valley, adjacent to a pristine coastal dune forest and a few minutes walk to the sea. The beach has dramatic sand dunes, beautiful stones and of course driftwood to inspire and refresh all visitors. There are good local shops 5km away, including a supermarket, butchery, pharmacy, eateries, a fuel stop etc. and the city of East London is 20km.
Facilities and services inclusive of this price are, but not restricted to:

• En-suite bedroom with patio doors onto deck or paved area. Own kitchen, or shared if desired.
• For each artist a private workstation is provided with task lighting and drawing board or easel, whatever the artist requires. A workspace can also be set up in the main studio.
• Access to a variety of free/low-cost materials. There are beautiful driftwood and beach stones that can be utilized to a degree. However, you will need to purchase other art materials. Just ask and they can usually help source it for you at a preferential rate from local suppliers.
• Personal laundry and change of bedding & towels approximately weekly. There’s no TV but books and a hard drive of movies is available plus regular Netflix movie nights. WIFI throughout, sufficient for email, research etc.
• Airport/bus/train transfers to/from East London at the beginning and end of the stay if required.
• Transportation weekly to East London to places of interest, plus more regular trips to the local shops for those without own transport.
• Orientation of the area, from stunning beaches to local art suppliers, as well as the resources/equipment and skills at Driftwood Studios, focusing on your needs and interests.
• Community contact through a presentation of your work on a Friday before departure, usually for stays of at least 3 weeks. A quality image of artworks can be taken on their infinity curve. You provide assistance with food and a few bottles of wine and they will promote and organize it, including a slot with the local radio station.

Driftwood has a woodwork room, pottery studio, forge and studio spaces for artists and the spacious Gallery. Fresh wholesome and sustainable food is a passion at Driftwood and they grow fruits such as bananas, protected as best they can from the forest monkeys (!), and their own salad vegetables and herbs. Enjoy free-range eggs from their own ‘happy hens’. Residents are asked to recycle and contribute organics to the garden compost.

Driftwood Studios is an art studio facility developed and run by sculptor George Kockott’s wife Claire. Tragically George passed away in 2019. There is a display of his sculptures in the Gallery. Of course, George’s skill and influence are to be felt in all the spaces he built and created. Claire continues to run the residencies and live with their two teenage children in Driftwood House next to the Gallery.