Book of Answers

How is the residency structured? 

Our residency, called "Ós" (Icelandic for estuary; Kvennaskólinn is located on the banks of glacial river Blanda overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean) is a non-profit organization run under the same management and with the same staff as the Icelandic Textile Center. Staff members not only manage the residency, but work on many unrelated projects as well, including research, community activities, educational programs, events, EU-funded projects and other international collaborations. There's a lot of grant writing, event planning, conferencing and project managing going on in the offices downstairs. There are not very many of us, so we've structured the residency to be self-sufficient.  

We want to enable artists to work with focus and no limits in time, and according to their own schedule. Ós provides artists with a home and studio space for the duration of their residency period, which typically lasts 1 - 3 months. Most artists arrive on the first day of a given month. Each artist in residence has their own bedroom, house key and room key. 

We invite everyone to an introductory meeting ("artist talk"), coffee chat and art exhibition or open house at the end of the month, but this is all optional. You are free to use your time as you please. There is 24/7 hour access to the main and dye studios, 7 days a week, so any schedule of working can be accommodated. Quiet hours do apply - please be mindful of your fellow artists in residence.

What type of accommodation will I have at the Textile Center? 

When you apply for a residency, you choose the type of room you would prefer (riverside / standard / larger room with extra space). Please note that Kvennaskólinn is not a luxury hotel! The main residency housing is located on the second floor of the (again, very old) building. There is no elevator. Some staircases are steep. On the residency floor, you have your own private bedroom, shared kitchen, shared bathroom, and living room. There are sinks in most bedrooms since the days of the Women's School, but they are not connected! The second floor is also where the main studio is located. Rooms are for one artist alone. If you have children and / or a spouse who need to be with you, please discuss this with us. We can not allow guests / children in the main house and studio space (see also info below) but offer accommodation in a newly renovated house right next door (no. 33), which can be rented as individual rooms or as a whole (4 guest max.) This might suit collaborators or groups, or simply anyone wishing for a bit more privacy. Same goes for house no. 35, which is also located right next door, but older and not newly renovated.

Prices for accommodation vary depending on location / size / view, but always include access to work facilities, equipment, and studio space in the main house EXCEPT the TextileLab. 

I have kids. Can I come with my family? 

Yes and no. We do have a "no kids policy" in the main house and studios - apologies, but we've tried and it just doesn't work. Kvennaskólinn with its steep staircases, small bedrooms and shared work space isn't a house well suited for families, and artists in residence are promised peace and quiet to focus on their work. If you are travelling with a partner who will take care of the kids while you are working, you can rent one of the houses we have next door (as a whole): House nr. 33 (a newly renovated three-bedroom) and House nr. 35 (older four bedroom house). Please note that there is no baby equipment (high chair, bed etc.) on site. If needed, we might be able to organize such things, but we can't promise it! 

Can I come with a partner? 

Yes and no. Rooms in the main house are single rooms and the shared kitchen and sitting room are small, so there really is no space for residents other than artists in residence. If you rent houses 33 or 35 as a whole, you can bring a partner or your family. This does not include your extended family; please book accommodation for visitors in town! Please keep in mind that we don't look at residencies as vacations: Ós residency seeks to promote an atmosphere of creativity, experimentation and reflection for artists and scholars working inside the textile field. You are of course free to schedule your time as you wish, but please be respectful of your fellow artists needs and expectations. If you are working with a partner and want to apply for a residency and stay here as a team, please apply as individuals and reference each other in the application! 

Do I need to travel with my own bed linens and towels?  

No. Unless you want to, of course! Artists are responsible for all living expenses. The Textile Center will assist and provide things like bed linens, towels, tea-towels, sponges, dish-washing brushes and consumables like toilet paper, dish soap, and washing machine detergent (not for textile work, though, e.g. felting). Please buy your own supplies to work with. 

Can I get a grant for my work at the residency?

We also recommend Kickstarter or other social media platforms, where you can campaign to raise money for your residency.

I am applying for funding to come to the residency and need a letter of collaboration / recommendation, could you write one for me?

We always recommend artists use the letter of confirmation we email once you have applied via the application form on our website and your residency has been confirmed. It includes an introduction & signature from our director and detailed information about Ós residency in general and your residency in particular. It has worked well for most grant applications so far! 

Are there any materials I should bring with me? 

We do have communal shelving in the studio where the community and previous residents have donated some items such as, but not limited to: fabric, paint, wood, wire, yarn, thread, sewing needles, etc. These communal supplies vary from month to month, though. 

There may be a store selling yarn in town (this changes constantly, stores come and go), but it may not be the type / colour etc. that you need. Supplies may also be bought online or over the phone from stores in Reykjavik who may post items to you. 

If you are coming for a TC2 residency, you need to bring your own warp. The material you are planning to use (mercerised if possible; we ourselves like to use white or black cotton 16/2, which we order from Sweden) might not be available in Iceland, or way more expensive, so keep these things in mind. We do have a warping mill on site which you can use. 

Again, please do not bring any unwashed wool. Icelandic or else. It may carry insects, germs and contagious diseases. Also, please don't use chemical dyes. Our dye studio is a small space best suited for making natural dyes, doing small dye batches, and wet work like felting, wool washing, or incidental dyeing of yarn/fibres. It is not ventilated and does not have an industrial sink, so it is not suitable for heavy chemicals or environmentally unsafe processes.

How do I travel to Iceland and Reykjavík? 

Arriving at Keflavík Airport (KEF) international airport (45 mins. from Reykjavík) by plane: Distance to Blönduós is 300 km. Many airlines fly to Keflavík. The Icelandic airline is called Icelandair. More info and flights can be found at www.kefairport.is.

Airport Shuttle from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík: There is a Flybus (www.flybus.is) from Keflavík Airport to the Reykjavík bus terminal BSI (duration is 45 minutes). If you are staying at a hotel or guest house, ask if the bus stops there. Tickets are bought online, on the plane or in the arrivals area after baggage claim.

How do I travel from Reykjavík to Blönduós? 

Bus from Reykjavik to Blönduós: The bus company is called Strætó (www.straeto.is). 
Bus 57 goes from BSÍ / or Mjódd bus station (Reykjavík) to Blönduós. Please note that you might have to take a bus to Mjódd, as this bus station is not located downtown. (Confusing, we know.) You can find bus times, fares, and other information on the Stræto website. We are often asked about bus tickets and where and how best to buy them. As far as we know, you can pay for your fare online, via the Stræto/Klapp app (for the capital city area only), or once you board the bus (cash/credit card), but please contact Stræto directly to make sure. They also have a Facebook site and booking phone number: (+354) 540 2700. 

IMPORTANT: Busses might do a stopover in Borgarnes and/or Staðarskáli gas station. Please don't leave the bus to get coffee etc. unless the bus driver says it's ok and you know for sure how long the break will be. Busses will NOT wait for you. 

Buses during your residency: A timetable is hanging up in the kitchen in the residency.

Where can I stay in Reykjavík? 

You may choose to spend some time in Reykjavík before or after your stay in Blönduós. There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels to chose from. We don't recommend anyone in particular (the guest accommodation landscape changes very quickly in Iceland), but former artists in residence have recommended a stay at the guesthouse of SÍM, Association for Icelandic Artists (www.sim.is). The guesthouse has 4 private rooms (shared kitchen and bathroom). It’s located in the centre of downtown Reykjavík. Walking distance to almost everything.

When should I arrive at the Textile Center? 

Residencies always start on the first and end on the day before the last day of a given month. During the month prior to your residency, you will receive an email where we introduce artists in residence to each other and ask about arrival times. If you haven’t received anything by the 20th of a given month, please contact the office or katharina@textilmidstod.is  If you arrive on a weekday (Mon-Fri) and during office hours (8am - 4 pm), we might be able to pick you up from the bus station and welcome you in person. 

"Does this mean I have to arrive on a 1st? Or should I be there the day before my residency starts, on the 31st? If I can't arrive until the 6th, is that too late? I can't make the weekday, can I come on a weekend?" 

No, no, no, and yes. Let's say you 're a November resident. You're arriving in Iceland on October 29th and would like to come to Blönduós right away. But that wouldn't work: your room is most likely still occupied by an October artist in residence and there needs to be time to clean, so we would ask you stay in Reykjavík until November 1st.

November 1st is, say, a Wednesday, so if you are able to catch the morning bus from Reykjavík, great. You'll arrive in Blönduós during office hours and we would come pick you up from the bus station.

Then again, you might prefer the evening bus. Which is fine, but then you would get here very late and we would not be able to pick you up. There are no taxis i Blönduós, so you most probably would have to walk to the residency. (It's a ten minute walk from the bus station, very manageable in summer if you don't bring a lot of luggage.) Same goes for weekends. In that case, we would email you information on how to get to and into the building. 

Maybe you're flying to Iceland on November 3d and won't be able to get here until November 4th. That is fine, too. You can arrive as late as you like, really, just keep in mind that you might not be able to make most of your time here if you succumb to the pleasures of the city (Reykjavík) and arrive on, say, November 15th. 

Your residency ends on November 29 (the day before the last day of the month), so you might want to leave Blönduós on the morning of November 30 - unfortunately, this is not possible. New artists will be arriving soon and there needs to be time for cleaning, so it would have to be November 29. We always recommend artists in residence keep an eye on the weather forecast, bus timetables, etc., so you might even have to leave earlier. Always leave room for a night or two in Reykjavík to make sure you can catch your flight back home, especially during the winter months (September - May). 

If you have any other questions regarding arrivals / departures, just send us an email at residency@textilecenter.is!

Can I connect with fellow artists in residence before coming to Blönduós? 

About one month before arrival, you will receive a group email from us, connecting you with your fellow artists in residence and giving you more details on how to get into the house after office hours, etc.  You might be able to meet in Reykjavík before getting here, share a rental car or cab to the bus station.

Please let us know in your application if you prefer your email address NOT be shared with the group. The same goes for information on our website: On our homepage, we list past and current artists in residence including links to their social media / websites. 

Will there be someone to meet and greet me when I arrive? 

This depends on when you get here! We are a small team and don't work on weekends, so if you arrive here after office hours (Monday - Friday 8:00 - 16:00), we won't be able to meet you right away or pick you up from the bus station. But no worries, you will receive very detailed information on how to get here, how to get into the house after office hours, your room number etc., and then we'll meet and greet you in person during office hours! 

Introduction Meeting and Artist Talk 

Around the time of your arrival, you will receive a welcome email from our residency manager with a timeline of what is happening when. But here's a sneak peak: Once everyone has arrived - no later than during the first week of the month - we have an introductory meeting to discuss urgent questions, practical info and tell you about events that might be happening during the month. There also is a monthly (and optional!) artist talk. This usually happens sometime during the first two weeks of a given month and gives you the opportunity to present who you are and what you work with (5 mins. max!). It's meant to be relaxed and informal, and there is no need to prepare a fully-blown presentation; showing your website or a few images of your work is fine, too. The artist talk is not open to the public. 

When can I start working in the studios?

The main studio and the dye studio are accessible 24/7. You can work on any schedule you like, at any time. Your work space is your responsibility – but please be mindful of your fellow artists - quiet hours do apply. Weaving on noisy looms in the middle of the night when everyone downstairs is sleeping is NOT a great idea. It is required that you clean your working space in the studio before you leave – the next artist should find a space as tidy as you did. It will include sweeping and wiping the desk and floor.

Music should be enjoyed via headphones, particularly if you work with sound art or film. Please respect that other people may need quiet in order to work. If there is only a couple of people in the studios, and they have the same taste and enjoy working to music, this may be ok. Please feel free to use the living room as well as the sitting room on the first floor as a meeting place.

What does the "artist of the house" do? 

Sometimes we have an "artist of the house" (AOH) staying at the residency. They are artists who have stayed with us before and can help communicate information to fellow artists in residence. They may assist with residency programming, e.g. artist talks, spontaneous initiatives, Open House exhibition/open studios, and involvement in town events/festivals. They are still artists in residence first and foremost and NOT here as a cleaner or staff member. Household chores, taking out the trash and putting away the dishes etc., are everybody’s concern and these tasks should be shared.

Please regularly check your emails as there might be information send to you regarding upcoming trips, etc. 

The AOH can let their fellow artists know when they’re available, e.g. on a calendar in the kitchen, so that they can keep their personal time for themselves and their projects. If there is an emergency, you can always contact the Textile Center staff. Phone numbers are listed on a message board on the first floor.

If you are interested in the AOH role and have been here as an artist in residence before (requirement!), let us know! 

Studio Guidelines

Weaving Studio Guidelines

Dye Studio Guidelines

We have now introduced a system where you can "book" specific times in the dye studio (on site) to make sure everyone gets the time they need!

House Rules

Please be mindful of the fact that you are living in a historic house that has its quirks! Also, please be courteous and considerate when sharing a house, which means not working on the looms late at night (the loom studio is located above the bedrooms) and cleaning up after yourself (including doing your dishes, cleaning your hair from the shower drain, wiping tables, cleaning the fridge, and throwing away garbage - see also "Cleaning" below). You must leave your accommodation as clean as you found it.

Other than that, please be mindful of the following: 

• There is a no shoes policy indoors, please bring slippers or indoor shoes with you.
• LOCKING UP: All artists have their own room keys and a key to the front door - there is a keybox with an emergency key for the main door (NOT YOUR ROOM!) at the main entrance. The door is left unlocked when the offices are open, but staff lock the doors when they leave, so always take your front door key when going out. If artists leave the house when the offices are closed, they must leave the door locked. Kvennaskólinn has valuables and expensive equipment. Don't worry, crime isn't really a worry around here, but locking up is still a must!
• Windows: When cooking in the kitchen, or showering in the bathroom, there is likely to be steam. So please remember to open the window to let steam out. Otherwise mould will form, damaging the house.
• The laundry room is in the basement, please arrange a schedule amongst yourselves. (Houses 33 and 35 have their own laundry rooms.) Make sure to open the window regularly and keep things tidy. Linens are supplied; artists must launder their linen upon departure. Sheets and towels must always be washed separately from other clothes and at a minimum of 60 degrees (Celcius). 
• If you are leaving the house for a trip, make sure ALL windows are closed (and fire doors), as you don’t know if the weather will change and bring a storm unexpectedly. Not fun to return to!
• Broken Items: If you happen to break anything, please inform us so it can be replaced.
• Your residency fee includes all bills and you do not have to pay for electricity etc. However please be eco-conscious, and turn off lights and heating if you are not using them. A good average gauge on heating is to keep it around ‘3’, and '1' in summer.
• Smoking is not allowed in the house no matter what time of year. You may smoke outside.
• Parties (as in wild, drunken orgies, not dinner parties ;)) and overnight visitors are not allowed either, and please make sure to keep the main house door locked during the night. 
• Do not forget your swimsuit. In Blönduós we have a great swimming pool and sports facilities.

Cleaning 

Yes, we do have a staff member who makes sure the Textile Center and Ós Residency is clean and presentable BUT said staff member does not come in every day and is not your private cleaner! We don't expect you to mop the floors, but please keep things tidy and acceptable for everyone sharing the work space, kitchen etc. with you.  Communicate with each other and maybe even set up a schedule together that works for your group.  If you make a mess, don't wait for someone else to clean it up.

There are cleaning supplies and a vacuum cleaner accessible on the residency floor. Glass bottles, cans and plastic bottles (only!) go into the recycling bins in opposite the kitchen. Living together isn't always easy, so communication and sharing responsibilities are key.  Let us know if you think things are not as they should be and you're frustrated because you feel like the one tidying up after everyone! At the end of the month, please make sure your room and work space looks the way it did when you first arrived, and take your personal belongings. ( See also the section "Leaving" below). 

Does the residency have internet and phone service? 

Wi-Fi internet is free in the Textile Center. While the Textile Center’s Wi-Fi is the largest plan available in Iceland, it is still limited. There should be plenty of net for everyone, but please do not download or stream large files such as movies etc. excessively or all at once. 

Artists are welcome to use the office phone for calls within Iceland if need be, during office hours.

When dialing in Iceland, there is no area code (do not enter +354). To find a listed phone number you can check the directory website www.ja.is.

What do I do in case of emergency or if I need medical or pharmacy assistance? 

Dial 112. In the case of emergency, please also notify Textile Center staff. Phone numbers are displayed on a message board on the first floor. 

In Blönduós: If you need a doctor in a hurry, there is a hospital in Blönduós which can take care of emergencies. It is the big white building with a red roof on the left after the bridge. Enter from the car park around the back (not the side of the main road). Location: Flúðabakka 2 | 540 Blönduós

You can call ahead to make an appointment: 455 4100

Find more info on the website: www.hsn.is

If the doctor at Blönduós has recommended it, you can receive more comprehensive assistance at the Akureyri hospital. 

For the dentist, you can take a bus to Sauðárkrókur or Akureyri, where there are excellent practitioners who speak fluent English. Check the phone directory www.ja.is for more info. That said, waiting lists have gotten quite long in recent years, so you might not be able to get an appointment right away. 

What can I find in Blönduós? 

The town is a small, rural village on the edge of the sea in the north-western coast line of Iceland. It is a remote place without city conveniences, so please be prepared in mind and when it comes to materials. The town has a population of approx. 940 people.

In Blönduós, you'll find grocery store "Kjörbúðinn", flower / gift store / café "Húnabúð", two gas stations, several restaurants / bar, café "TENI" (they also do lunch and Ethiopian dishes!), a medical center and pharmacy, schools (kindergarten & elementary school), sports hall with a gym, excellent pool with two hot pots and a steam room, occasional dance or sport classes (badminton, fitness etc.). There's a hairdresser, bank, post office (across the bridge), mayor’s office, police station, church, several smaller companies, businesses and many farms nearby. The library ("Bókasafn") is located next to the post office. It's open 13-17 Monday - Thursday, as well as the first Saturday of each month, and has a small but good selection of English books. The Textile Museum is located next door to the residency. In the old part of town, there is a restaurant inside Hotel Blönduós and a café / gift store called "Apótekarastofan" (open in the summertime). At this point in time, there is no handcraft store or shop in town selling a wide variety yarns, unfortunately. In Sauðárkrokur, you can buy yarns at the local supermarket. 

What are the seasons like in Blönduós? 

Complete accessibility! The landscape reveals itself and invites you to have picnics and barbecues. The midnight sun means long days and hikes at 10pm. The sun does not set, it simply dips the horizon with the longest day on June 21. It never gets very hot in Iceland, but there are warm and sunny days. The weather can change fast, though, and it is recommended to bring warm woolens and rain jackets and prepare for cold and windy weather all year round. In Blönduós, temperatures are around 7 - 15 degrees Celcius during the summertime and there is almost always wind. There might be sleet and snow in the mountains and on mountain roads even in mid-July. 

Autumn (September, October, November)

The transitional season of autumn means a manageable weather forecast. The weather shifts can bring occasional rains, or warmer days reminiscent of summer, with cold snaps and snow storms soon after. There might be northern lights. "Réttir" horse and sheep round ups are held at the beginning of September/October all around the country. It is also blueberry season in Iceland!

Winter (December, January, February)

The short days bring a very particular and beautiful light. Often the roads are covered in snow and ice, and there might be blizzards that last a couple of days. We encourage artists to embrace the winter and treat it as an adventure. If you are prone to depression, or if you need light to wake up, it may be advisable to bring a dawn simulating lamp. In winter the sun rises and sets at different times every day; in December, the shortest day is December 21st, with about 2 hours daylight. The residency becomes very homey with a close knit group of artists who are less fazed by winter weather and inspired by its dramatic temperament. The increments between sunrise and sunset each day increases dramatically. By March, we are back to almost 12 hours night and 12 hours light. 

Spring: (March, April, May)

The spring brings a lot of bird life and activity in the landscape. The snow is still present but gradually melts closer to summer. The river runs with clear melting glacial water, and the landscape emerges before your eyes from its blanket of snow. The migratory birds will begin appearing for nesting come May/June. The northern lights will often still appear, and the landscape calms down with the winter storms subsiding. Days grow longer each day, and the seas outside our studio window can be rough one day and calm the next. It will be windy a lot. Weather is in a transitional phase and fog, rain, or warm clear days can appear. Be prepared to see Iceland in almost every state of being.

Does Blönduós have any local events?

April: The third Thursday of the month, we celebrate the first day of summer “Sumardagurinn fyrsti.” This is often held in a last snow storm, just to remind us that winter will be here again soon.

May: May 1 is a public holiday, International Labour Day, celebrated with a cake buffet in the local community.

June: The last Saturday of May or first Saturday of June is the “Fisherman’s Day” in Iceland. In our neighbouring town Skagaströnd, it is a big event with festivities and competitions such as rowing and tug-of-war. In the second weekend of June, Prjónagleði, the annual Knit Festival takes place in Blönduós. Iceland's Independence Day is June 17 with festivities, parades and some other activities. There's also a new festival in town, "Rhubarb Festival" focusing on all things rhubarb, which is held at the end of June. The summer solstice is on June 21st, the longest day of the year, the sun skims the horizon.

July: Blönduós is very close to the polar circle where the midnight sun never sets. The months of May through July are therefore very bright with only part dusk/dawn in the middle of the night. The sun in fact circles the sky, touching on north, south, east, and west. Húnavaka, the town festival, takes place during the second or third weekend in July. 

August: The first weekend in August, "Verslunamannahelgi" is a bank holiday, with town festivals and all sorts of events taking place all around the country - in August in general, until school starts again at the end of the month. 

September: The sheep and horse roundup is something not to be missed. This gathering of farmers and locals gathering hundreds of wild sheep and horses to bring them back home from the mountains at the end of the summer is a true event. There are often country balls after the round up. If you decide to visit one of the roundups, please keep in mind that - albeit fun - this is not a tourist affair, but actual work, and follow the set rules and guidelines. Dates vary year to year depending on the weather, it is usually the first weekend of September, but it can also be held earlier / later. 

October through January: Because of the latitude of Blönduós, the sun plays a part with only about 3-5 hours of daylight in winter and the sun barely above the horizon, rising and setting in the south (south east to south west). This makes very long and beautiful sunsets. The coldest time of the year is December through February, but not as cold as you think. The gulf stream and our coastal location ensures the constant freezing then thawing as temperatures rise above and below 0°C. But it does get windy here in Northern Iceland, and the northerly winds in particular can be quite icy. From late November onwards, there will be Christmas-themed events such as the "jólahlaðborð" (Christmas buffets), Christmas markets, and plenty of Christmas lights and decorations all over Iceland. New Year's Eve is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks. 

What forms of payment are accepted in Iceland?

There are two banks (ATM's) in Blönduós, both near the supermarket. 

How are the living expenses in Blönduós?

Artists buy their own food, perishables or consumables, personal toiletries, etc. Ós residency provides housing and studios and some bathroom / kitchen essentials, such as soap, toilet paper, laundry and dishwasher detergent. Soap and dishwasher detergent for textile work (e.g. felting) are not provided. Please don't use the toilet paper we provide for work projects. 

Of course, each person’s living costs will differ according to their needs. Most will find that the cost of living in Iceland is much higher than in their home countries.

The supermarket Kjörbúðin is situated a few minutes’ walk from the Residency. It has a fair amount of everyday goods, vegetables, fish, meat and bread - but no longer sells yarn, unfortunately. If you’re able to, we recommend stocking up on groceries from larger stores (Bonus, Kronan...) located in Reykjavik and Akureyri. Prices at Kjörbúðin can be double what you might find at those supermarkets. 

There are a few restaurants here, but you may find them expensive. This also depends on currency exchange rates, of course. You can get (relatively) inexpensive fast food such as hot dogs and pizza at local hangout and gas station N1. The Hotel Blönduós Restaurant is located in the old part of town, next to the café Apótekarastofan" (not open in winter/spring). "On weekdays, "TENI" café serves a very good buffet-style lunch. 

How and where can I recycle glass, plastic, paper and metal?

• Plastic, glass jars and other non-drink glass items go into the trash or can be taken to the recycling center next to ISTEX wool washery on Efstabraut 2. The area is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. 
• All paper recycling items (including milk cartons and other Tetra Paks) go directly into the blue bins outside the front door (around the corner to the left).
• All recycleable bottles (glass and plastic) and cans go into the plastic bin in the spare room opposite the bathroom. Please rinse the bottles before dropping them into the box.

Swimming in the Sea

You might be interested in swimming in the ocean while you are here. PLEASE discuss this with us before heading out into the water - it's absolutely not safe to do this just anywhere, and definitely not in what we call the "Ós", where the river Blanda flows into the sea. 

Can I learn textile techniques at the residency or participate in workshops? 

Yes and no. The Textile Center is not a school; we do host international Field School programs and students from Icelandic universities and sometimes offer classes or  workshops (TC2 weaving, spinning, knitting, embroidery...) , but not regularly. Artists may chose to teach each other during their stay here (skill-share), but you can't ever expect it. Our weaving expert Ragnheiður Þorsdóttir comes in about twice a month to check on the loom studio and TC2 digital looms, but please note that she is very limited in her time. 

Can I buy wool at the Textile Center? 

Or in Blönduós? Anywhere in Iceland? On site or online?

We do find that people generally expect there to be more of a "farm shop" culture in Iceland than there is, lots of sheep farms and thus easy access to wool. This isn't the case. There are a few farmers who have started their own companies processing wool and selling yarn onsite and online (e.g. Gilhaga, Uppspuni, Hespuhúsið ...) and cooperatives like Ullarselið (Wool Center) and Þingborg who sell local yarn and handmade products made from wool, but these places don't necessarily sell unprocessed wool. Most farmers in Iceland sell their wool to the Ístex wool factory and wholesale. Their washery is located in Blönduós, so sometimes artists have been able to get small amounts of wool there (please NEVER buy or bring unwashed wool into the Textile Center - see also the section on materials), BUT this is not a given. Shearing season is from October - May.

Generally speaking, the demand for wool is increasing due to a fast decline in sheepfarming and an increased interest in handcrafts and products made from/with wool at the same time. It looks as if wool just might stop being a by-product of the meat industry first and foremost and become the very valuable, very sought after and much appreciated material we (the Textile Center team) always hoped it would be! Long story short, buying / finding unprocessed wool is possible, but might be more tricky than you think. 

Contact johanna@textilmidstod.is for more details and other wool questions! 

Can I have an exhibition at the Textile Center?

We don't curate or facilitate exhibitions. You are very welcome to initiate your own exhibition in the area with the Textile Center as a local base, and we can assist in finding spaces or helping you to present your work in the town of Blönduós. If artists like, they can organize an open house or an exhibition in our makeshift “Bílskúr Gallerí” or the TextileLab at the end of the month. 

The artists are at all times responsible for presenting their own work: installing it, packing it down, and returning the space back to normal. The Textile Center simply does not have the staff to operate an on-site gallery or install team. All work should be taken home with the artist, as we are not an acquisitive institution.

Where can I buy art/textile supplies?

There is no store in Blönduós that specializes in art supplies. You used to be able to buy a variety of yarn and basic office / arts and crafts supplies at the supermarket and in local gift shops, but unfortunately, yarn is no longer available at Kjörbúðin supermarket. You can buy some online (make sure to order from the Icelandic page of e.g. Alafoss for inland orders). There is quite a large selection of yarn at the supermarket in Sauðárkrókur, a 45 min drive from Blönduós. 

We don't process or sell wool. There are not many farms in Iceland selling wool or wool products directly (see also entry on wool above. Please never bring unwashed / raw wool into the house). You might be able to get some sample wool (small amounts) from a local farmer (contact johanna@textilmidstod.is) or buy wool locally from Ístex factory/wool washery in Blönduós, but this really depends on the time of year and general demand (sheep shearing season is fall / spring). You can send them an email at istex@istex.is. Generally speaking, we recommend that you bring all the materials you need for your artwork. If you want to buy artist materials, there are good art supply stores in Reykjavík - the shop(ping) landscape changes quickly in Iceland, so best search for e.g. "art supply stores Reykjavík" online to get the most up-to-date information. You could also check the larger suppliers directly online in case they mail online orders. 

 Can I mail supplies to the Textile Center?

Delivery times:

Check with the postal service in your own country to be advised about transit times. Please note that since 2018, Icelandic post offices charge for keeping packages longer than 10 days - in other words, after 10 days, a storage fee applies (approx. 200 kr. per day), so try avoiding sending materials too far in advance. 

If ordering things while here from Ebay, Amazon, or other international online retailers, delivery times can vary between 2 - 4 weeks depending on human error in the international postal services. Amazon are usually very good with their postal estimates. Most items should be here within 2 weeks, but it may also take 1-2 weeks longer than that. Once it reaches Iceland it should only be 1-2 days from Reykjavik, unless there is a problem or hold up with customs (see above). Please note that a daily storage fee applies at customs (after 7 days) and the Blönduós post office (after 10 days) - see also Posturinn's website. 

Who covers insurance at the residency? 

Ós residency does not assume any legal responsibility for the artist, their work, their guests, or their travels, or any other activities while attending Ós Residency.

Ós residency does not insure artists or their artworks.

All claims made by the artist must relate to their private insurance, travel insurance, or workplace insurance (or any other applicable insurances). Artists are highly encouraged to sort these matters out before arriving to the residency.

Can I mail supplies to the Textile Center? 

Delivery times:

Check with the postal service in your own country to be advised about transit times. Please note that since 2018, Icelandic post offices charge for keeping packages longer than 10 days - in other words, after 10 days, a storage fee applies (approx. 200 kr. per day), so try avoiding sending materials too far in advance. 

If ordering things while here from Ebay, Amazon, or other international online retailers, delivery times can vary between 2 - 4 weeks depending on human error in the international postal services. Amazon are usually very good with their postal estimates. Most items should be here within 2 weeks, but it may also take 1-2 weeks longer than that. Once it reaches Iceland it should only be 1-2 days from Reykjavik, unless there is a problem or hold up with customs (see above). Please note that a daily storage fee applies at customs (after 7 days) and the Blönduós post office (after 10 days) - see also Posturinn's website. 

How can I send artwork home from the Textile Center?

The Textile Center does not acquire artworks, nor can we store them. You can arrange to send your artwork home from the local post office in Blönduós. The post office does not have any cylindrical tubes to send rolled up canvass or papers. If your work is too large and cannot be sent home, you can always return the raw materials from whence they came.

Does the residency organize sightseeing trips?

The Textile Center does not organize or facilitate sightseeing. Still, there are many places close by that you may enjoy seeing. In this case we recommend renting a car with other resident artists, or catching a bus to destinations (like Sauðárkrokur or Akureyri) where you can connect with some tour operators. We can help arrange group visits for artists to textile / arts related destinations such as the Wool Washery in Blönduós and the NES residency in Skagaströnd (appointment only, no transport.)  

Do I need a rental car / How can I hire a car?

To check the road conditions, go to the website www.road.is.

To check weather go to http://en.vedur.is/.

PLEASE CHECK before going anywhere, any time of year. Whatever it says there, take it seriously. Never underestimate the weather or road conditions in Iceland, all year round!

What will be required at the end of my residency?

The studios – please make sure you sweep the floor of your studio before you go, and clear all belongings from the space, and wipe down all surfaces. Furniture can stay, as the next artist will use it.

If you have reusable art materials you aren’t going to take with you, find a suitable place in the communal supply shelves to leave them. It should be kept tidy for future artists to navigate.

Take your work with you. If you physically cannot take what you’ve made, we ask you to do one of two things.

1) Return the work - for recycled materials for others to use, back to the scrap yard, or back to the earth for decomposing if it’s natural

2) Give it back to the community. If you have made connections with people here, you may like to donate the work to someone in the town.

Please do not leave it at the Textile Center; there isn’t storage space to hold onto works in progress or objects that are worked on here.

Your room – Make sure your room is cleaned out and looks like it did when you first arrived. This applies to all the rooms, whether you are staying in the main house, house 33 or 35. Wash and dry your bed sheets and towels on the morning you leave – please plan so that it will be dry by the time you depart. Do NOT take your room key with you. Please give it back to us, preferably before you leave - there are far too many keys crossing the oceans of this world on airplanes to find their way back to Blönduós!

The fridge – please clean out the fridge, take away your food and return dishes to the correct place … no one likes to arrive to a residency to find surprises in the fridge! This is a team effort, so make sure everyone works together to help keep the house tidy upon departure.

Please don’t assume the last person to leave will deal with everything!

When and how should I leave Blönduós?

You will most likely be familiar with the buses after your time here. Call ahead to Strætó (540 2700) to find out which bus you need, or you may need to call for a taxi to your overnight accommodation, BSÍ /airport busses. Airport busses usually leave from BSÍ bus station to the Keflavik airport.

What are the opening hours for Kvennaskólinn?

The artist residency floor in the Kvennaskólinn building is private, however, the studios may attract some interest from visitors to the exhibition and the Textile Museum located next door (this isn't saying we let them disturb you!) We will let you know in advance if we are expecting guests and show them around the house. 

And then there's the Vatnsdæla tapestry, a privately run project, where visitors may contribute with embroidery-work on the tapestry located on the first floor in Kvennaskólinn. If the supervisor is around (there are special opening hours), you can book a session and learn how embroider on the tapestry (pay by the hour). Update: The tapestry is now completed (October 2024)!

In the basement, there are distance learning facilities university students living locally have access to once they've registered with us (the Textile Center). There's a separate entrance and the space isn't used very much, mostly during exam season (November - December / April - May). 

At the other end of the basement is a large room now used by members from the community to teach Yoga about once a week. You might be able to participate; find more info on this and other classes/events happening locally on the message board at the residency. 

Other questions we received from artists over the years!

• "Do you by any chance have a warp weighted loom?" No, unfortunately not. If you are interested in seeing one, they have a "kljásteinavefstaður" at Auðunnarstofa in Hólar, a 1 hour drive from Blönduós in Skagafjörður. 
• "Is it possible to work with fishskin? I understand there is a factory close by?" You can work with any material / fabric you like, including fishskin - leather, that is, we would not recommend you prepare the skins on site as we do not have the facilities for it! There is a fishleather company called Nordicfishleather in Iceland, but please contact them directly to see where they are located and which services they offer. 
• "Is there a carding mill or hand / wool carders at the residency? And a handspindel or drop spindel? Hammer and power drill?" Yes! Yes! And yes! 
• Do you schedule residents based on the equipment they will need? Or is it first come first served based on availability and timing of who will be there when? So far, we have not made reservations for individual artists and individual tools / equipment - groups have been able to sort out a schedule amongst themselves. But if someone's project depends on e.g. access to the vertical tapestry loom for a week, let us know and we'll try and make sure this is possible. 
• "Should I bring or rent a special towel for going to the pool?" No. We provide towels at the residency, you don't have to rent one at the pool. 

To sum it all up ... an artist journal of her time in Blönduós! 

"Hello, my name is Carol Cooke, and I am a textile artist from Canberra, Australia.

During my stay at this wonderful Icelandic residency I have been asked questions by artists who are interested in coming here or are planning to come . So I thought it might be helpful to send you my thoughts and hopefully helpful hints to make this a stress free journey for you.

It is a dream come true to be accepted here for a number of reasons. I am a textile artist who specialises in embroidery and I was keen to work on the amazing tapestry about the Icelandic Saga, a story set in this region. Under supervision by the nicest woman, I was able to make my mark on this amazing work, even if you are not trained in embroidery it is not hard and well worth having a go as they teach you and make sure you are on track with the technical aspects.

My second aim was to get to connect and understand the local people (as well as the other resident artists) and respond to their stories. For weavers I am sure it’s a dream come true as they have a fully equipped dyeing room and many weaving looms to chose from. But any textiles skills would be considered for your application.

The application process was easy. A few photos and an idea on what you ‘might’ work on and a website, and Instagram site might be helpful in the assessment.

Getting there

It took 4 planes and one bus ride to get here. But quite a few artists live much closer and it can be as easy as one flight and a hitchhike to Blönduos. So planning flights and transport is, of course, up to you. The bus from Reykjavík did not need to be booked and I just caught taxis to the main bus stop. Go to bus stop number 57 and it leaves at 9am. You will meet other artists on the bus to begin your journey.

A handy hint…if you are over 60 ask for the discount, it is considerable discount for travel and entry into museums and pools. I used my seniors card from home but I think they just took your word for it. Student cards will also get you discounts. It stops twice for toilet breaks and snacks at well stocked petrol station/cafes. You get the chance to eat your first hotdog, a Icelandic specialty possibly because it is less expensive!

The bus trip is about 4 hours and as we arrived on a week day we were picked up in a car and our luggage was taken to the residency. If you arrive on a weekend one of the artists is asked to come up and get you. Then you get a brief on the little town of Blönduós on you walk. If this happens I recommend backpack or wheels on a suitcase. It’s not a long walk. And paved the whole way.

I know a few artists did hitchhike. It is normal here and I was reassured it was very safe.

The Town of Blönduós

Blönduós has two sections, divided by a glacial river. Old Blönduós has a tourist information centre, a couple of restaurants, library, post office and of course is an interesting walk. There is a sea wall walk and a view across to the Westfjords. The new town has a doctors clinic, bank, gym hotpot and pool complex, a supermarket and small grog shop. I recommend you buy alcoholic beverages duty free before you get to Iceland.

The new Blönduós has a cafe (Teni) open during the day that does hot food and coffee. They have a ‘special of the day’ that is less expensive. This idea is often offered in cafes and is the most cost effective. Next to the petrol station where the bus arrives is a restaurant called BS and it does burgers etc. They have a soup and salad buffet until about 6.30pm which is better value. I had a fabulous lamb dish with salad potatoes and a beer but it was very expensive.

I also popped in to see what was available at the flower gift and coffee shop. They seem great local wool, buttons and also some really interesting reindeer buttons made from found old antlers. The owner is delightful and happy to chat while you have a coffee and a piece of cake. Look out for her occasional cake and coffee afternoons. No less than 15 cakes which are replenished as soon as one is finished.

You have arrived

Rooms vary in cost and size. Most are small with a single bed, a desk and clothing storage. Some have an extra couch. You will have a view of the glacial river or the ocean, rolling hills and part of the industrial part of town. From these windows you will see the ever changing landscape and weather. It’s a wonderful place to sit and contemplate. And maybe work.

There is good internet! A password will give you access to the world and allow you to call home. I used Viber which worked well and was free. Make sure the relatives and friends at home have the app. ready to take your calls. We used Viber which was free and worked well as our phone contract didn’t include Iceland! I was in the totally opposite time zone so I chatted to my man before he went to bed when I got up and visa versa. It worked fine.

Towels, pillows and bed linen is provided. A laundry on the bottom floor is well equipped with washer, dryer, laundry soap and also a big drying rack for items that don’t go in a dryer, I also dried some ‘smalls’ on my heater in the room. I used an extra supplied towel for the swimming pool. It’s up to you to leave your room cleaned and the bed made before you leave. It’s a nice thing to arrive to a made bed! So do the same for the next person. You need to keep the kitchen clean and dispose of rubbish and recycling but a cleaner comes and does the floors outside your room, the bathrooms and kitchen. The bathrooms are communal but I have never had to wait to use one. We all lead different hours and timings. One bathroom is brand new and lovely. There is no hairdryers so I bought a small travel hairdryer to make sure I didn’t look like a mad artist. 

I also bought a pillow. Just more comfortable than the ones provided. Leave it behind if you are struggling with space. Another alternative to showering is to go to the swimming pool. After you soak at the pool, use the shower facilities including dryer are all available. They also provide free coffee. Bonus. 

Let’s eat!

The kitchen provides you with a shelf in one of the two fridges, and a pantry shelf . There are also freezers. Loads of spices, flavour bottles and flours ect are left by other residents for you to use. There are plenty of pans, an oven, microwave , toaster and coffee maker. Bring your own coffee and tea! It saves money and you bring what is familiar to the start of your day. A good cuppa for me. You are allowed to bring in up to 3 kgs. of dried food into Iceland , so I packed coffee, tea, muesli and Australian biscuits to share with the group. Whatever you feel are must haves. Many of us don’t eat meat here because of the cost or you might be a vegetarian. But there is plenty of options for dietary restrictions at the supermarket.

We set up a ‘potluck’ dinner in Thursday’s as everyone does their own thing and it’s nice to get together for a sit down. Get to know the others as you will be surrounded by an international crew of creative minds. All ages come here. And everyone has a different outlook on life. I loved getting to know them more. Often just a corridor chat or while we all made a meal . Food is expensive. So be mindful of this if you need to save money before you come. You can live on a tight budget but make sure you have enough to buy wool etc if you weave. It is not as expensive as home and they have some wonderful colours and quality that is great for the weavers in the store room here.

There is a big studio to work and also a large cupboard with bits and bobs from wool, knitting needles fabrics and stuff you might be able to use. It is left by other artists. Some of the residents used the studio but I loved working in my room. The view was so lovely , changing all the time. Bring your music or podcasts and of course ear plugs if you are working in a room with others .

Time to exercise, chill out and get fresh air.

So you can’t work all the time and you need to get some fresh air. It’s about a 5 minute walk to the shops. And there are paths everywhere. Go explore. It is totally safe and you will be able to walk on a black beach, a stone wall or up into the surrounding hills. And, of course, go over the bridge and explore the old town. There is a bird island accessible by a small bridge which is open 10 months of the year. Lovely walk. On my walk I found mushrooms, thyme and wild blueberries.

But the big MUST is to go to the swimming pool. (bring goggles if you swim.) All the water is geothermal heated and it is a fantastic experience. Most of us went almost every day. I used the gym. So I bought a 10 unit pass for the gym and pool. Again if you are over 60 ask for a seniors discount. That counts for all travel and entry to art galleries and museums . Lovely surprise for some. Student discounts with international student cards are accepted as well. 

These baths will be a new experience for some of you. So let me tell you what you need to know. First get over yourself ! Don’t miss this experience because of possible body issues. I am 62 years old and have a figure of a mature , childbearing, overweight body. Who cares? No one. PS don’t wear jewellery in these water opportunities. It discolours silver.

The hotpot experience......What happens?

After you pay you will see a rack for your shoes. Take them off and get them on the way out. Go to the women’s section and find a locker. You will be given a silver token to use for locking. Get undressed. Lock up and take your towel to the next section for storage. Have shower without your bathers on. Believe it or not there is a law that says you must not wash with them on. This is a must because the pools are no chlorinated and hygiene allows them to keep it that way. Get your bathers on after you have washed and pop outside for a swim/soak. There are different temperatures and a shallow pool for kids, parents and grandparents. There is also a tub with cold water about 5 degrees for the ultimate tingling experience. Try not to scream out loud!

And the bonus is you can drink free coffee in the hotpot. This was the time I got to chat to locals. I loved it and they loved to chat back. Say hi. See if you get a response and more often than not you will begin to immersive yourself in local culture while relaxing in warm water. Soak away you thoughts and aches from working too long at the loom or desk. Stretch, relax. You are having a fabulous Iceland experience. These soaking pots are everywhere and well worth doing if you travel more in Iceland.

And one more thing look for the spin machine for your bathers. The best invention— ever. In 8 seconds you can carry home almost dry bathers instead of water. They also have discounts if you buy in set of 10 entry tickets. Most of us went daily as it was such a relaxing activity. The pool is about 25 metres and long enough for laps and I used the gym quite a few times. An extra cost but a healthy body is a healthy mind .

The Looms and Dye room

My new friend Anja from Scotland added some words to this section as I am not a weaver. There are plenty of looms which you discuss with the admin staff and decide on before you arrive. That allows you to bring the yarn etc. they sell plenty of yarn which they were raving about. There is really nice quality of Icelandic wool but the colours are limited so it is recommended buying warp yarns in advance to make sure you have enough. 

The dye house is fully set up and often artists leave mordants behind. But the advice is bring what you need as it may not be there. Local plants such as lupin leaves are available in abundance. Bilberries are seasonal and there are plenty in August. We would recommend visiting one of local dye artists Gudrun Bjarnadóttir whose studio is in Borgarnes.

The Artist Exhibition

Each four weeks the resident artists are invited to set up the entrance to the Dye room as an exhibit. It was fun. One of the artist did a flyer which we dropped of at the main shops. We did a punch ( white wine, lemonade and frozen berries and ice. A few chips and some basic units. About 14 people turned up. It was also a chance to have a sit down and chat with the other artists. What have they been doing in their hideaway over the past few months. Everyone was excited and really enjoyed the fun afternoon. Two big tool kits are provided with tools and nails. But maybe bring some blue tac, wire, fishing wire if you think that will help your installation.

We all celebrated with some bubbly back at the residence when we closed the exhibit.

Time to go see what’s over that hill.

Of course, most of us want to see a bit more and many are on time limits and commitments back home. So get on a bus or hire a car ( share the costs with some of the others) and plan a day or two out and about. There is one car for hire in town and is a Hyundai i20 so it’s small. Or do what we did and take the bus to Sauðárkrókur where there are more cars to choose from. We took the only bus at 1:15pm from the petrol station and set off for where the views continued to amaze us. We returned it the next day to work in with the bus back to Blönduós at about midday.

It is said there is a festival somewhere in Iceland every weekend during the summers months. The tourist info people will give you information on this for your time of year. They are all very helpful with any problems. 

What else to do locally?

Walk or swim in the Arctic sea. The warm currents make this an option. So do it at least once. We have a resident who swims most days in the ocean. Maybe take some waterproof sandals for this experience.

The textile museum

A wool exploration at Ístex wool washery is available at some times of the year.

Wander round the building as it is also a museum

Work on the Saga tapestry

Read from the extensive library (local district library)

And then there is the Vatnsdæla Tapestry!

It is incredible work of art, about 46 metres long. Learn from the experts as they supervise you and make sure you do it the justice it deserves. I am an embroidery artist and to work on the local saga was a real treat. During the summer months it is available to us and the public to do your bit. It is not hard and a very pleasant way to spent a few hours with one of the local superstars of Blönduós.

Icelandictextilecenter, textílmiðstöð, Blönduos, Iceland are all great references to start on Instagram as you begin to think about your textile residency in Iceland.

Have a wonderful time!" 

CAROL COOKE