iceland retreats 2026
The BONFIRE Retreats are born from a desire to share our gaze and our deep connection to specific territories around the world. Landscapes, cultures, and energies that have transformed our lives and our artistic practice, and that we now wish to experience with you.
Each edition is curated with attention and unfolds in a carefully chosen location, inviting a small group of creators into a slow, generous, and respectful way of relating to both the human and the more-than-human.
The 2026 Retreats take place in Iceland, our home base and a profound source of inspiration for over a decade. Two ten-day immersive experiences, differing in atmosphere and direction, but meeting in what matters: presence, process and the way a place can shift you.
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The Summer Edition unfolds in the Low Arctic area, under the midnight sun.
Dates → July 15 – 24, 2026
10 days / 9 nights
Group limited to: 5 participants
CLICK HERE TO CHECK FULL PROGRAM / APPLY HERE
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Location + Accommodation:
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Óskarsbraggi. With views towards the sea, this spacious traditional house has original wooden interiors and a generous presence of light. You’ll find common spaces for living and working: studio areas, workshops, and a space for exhibition and exchange. The house also includes a large kitchen and living area.
- Each participant will have a private room.
Located in Raufarhöfn, the northernmost village on mainland Iceland. A place few arrive at, and even fewer truly experience. It is the only place in the world where you can enter the Arctic by car, crossing into a landscape where silence expands, time slows, and territory whispers. Set on the remote Melrakkaslétta peninsula, this quiet fishing village, once shaped by the herring boom, offers a direct encounter with Arctic ecosystems. A refuge facing the sea, under the midnight sun.
Studio / Workspace: Spacious studio areas, workshops, and a space for exhibition and exchange.
This call is for you if you are:
→ Drawn to the Arctic and its continuous summer light
→ Ready for a remote and intimate experience at the edge of the world
→ Dreaming of Iceland for a while
→ Longing for time and space to reconnect
→ Open to field work and situated creation
→ Up to reflective dialogue, personal guidance, and grounded feedback
→ Ready to create a final show and event in the Arctic.
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The Winter Edition is held in the quiet and depth of the southern landscape.
Dates → November 5 – 14, 2026
10 days / 9 nights
Group limited to: 7 participants
CLICK HERE TO CHECK FULL PROGRAM / APPLY HERE
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Location + Accommodation:
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Héraðsskólinn, a historic 1920s schoolhouse turned soulful guesthouse, designed by Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson. With lake views, vintage wood interiors, and generous light, Héraðsskólinn is an authentic space, welcoming and ideal to spend our days.
You’ll find cozy common spaces, a small library, an in-house bistro and bar.
All rooms offer lake or mountain views, with communal bathrooms aligned with the building’s historic layout. BONFIRE will also have access to an apartment within the main building. This space includes three participant rooms, along with a private kitchen and living area, offering a quiet setting for rest, in-between moments, and informal gatherings.
- Each participant will have a private room.
Located in Laugarvatn, a village that lies in the heart of the Golden Circle, a region of geysers, waterfalls and rift valleys. Just 70 km from Reykjavík, it offers a gateway to some of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders. The village has long been a quiet magnet for Icelandic artists. Before it became part of the Golden Circle route, it was already known as a creative refuge. Writers, musicians, and visual artists have found inspiration here for generations, drawn to its geothermal energy and the threshold of the lake.
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Studio / Workspace: The guesthouse offers common spaces and a library to reflect, read, write, or work on your computer. This retreat is not focused on creation but on experience and inspiration.
This call is for you if you are:
→ Ready to get lost
→ Ready to find yourself
→ Drawn to Nordic atmospheres
→ Dreaming of Iceland for a long time
→ Seeking meaningful inspiration
→ Curious about working with intimacy, slowness, and spirituality
→ Seeking reflective dialogue and personal guidance
→ Open to thoughtful, grounded feedback that expands your perspective
→ Ready to participate in the Artists Talks Event at LÁ Art Museum in Hveragerði.
Both retreats include creative prompts, collective conversations, and one-to-one mentoring sessions.
As part of the experience, your voice will also be featured on BONFIRE’s digital platforms, including our website and social media.