Location: Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica
Mission: The Julia and David White Artists’ Colony is a private retreat located in the midst of a private 17 acre rainforest in Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica, a 35 minute drive from the capital, San Jose. The Colony was established in 1998 by Dr. White as a memorial to his children, both of whom died tragically as young adults. Julia was an astrophysicist and accomplished poet and playwright; David a highly talented composer and woodwind player. The Julia and David White Artists’ Colony is devoted to promoting the arts so dearly loved by Dr. White and his children.
Ciudad Colón is located twenty three kms from the capital city San José. It is situated in the province of San José, in the county of Mora. The weather in Ciudad Colón varies between the dry and green seasons. Average temperature year round is 22-24 C. It sits at an altitude of 840 meters above sea level. Costa Rica banned capital punishment in 1877. It abolished its military in 1948 and has since relied exclusively on dialogue and diplomacy in conducting its international relations – a model Dr. White supported for all Nations.
The Colony wants to give artists – today’s visionaries and innovators – the opportunity to explore their creativity in the peace-loving culture of Costa Rica.
Colony housing includes two painters’ studios with 20-foot ceilings, two writers’ studios and three cottages for either composers, writers or visual artists, all in natural wooded settings. In addition, the former communal building “The Nine Muses” has also been converted into a studio.
Cost: 14 days or less $575 per artist, or $850 for two artists sharing one space; Up to 29 days $800 per artist, or $975 per two artists sharing one space.
Application Fee: No application fee
Number of Artists: Up to 10 artists at a time
Accommodations: The Colony provides each artist with a private studio on a beautiful 17-acre hillside setting. A swimming pool, and hiking paths are provided for recreation.
Basic necessities and a Saturday Farmer’s Market are available within walking distance in the local village, Ciudad Colón, population 10,000, elevation 3,000 ft. (900mts). A shopping mall and cinema complex are a 20-minute drive from The Colony. Bus and taxi service to all of Costa Rica is available from Ciudad Colón. From scenic walking paths one can see the Pacific Ocean as well as volcanoes across the Central Valley.
There is a small library room between the two writer studios, with a computer and Internet, and a comfortable armchair.
Length of Stay: 2 weeks – Several Months
Demographic/Medium: National and International artists in Literature, visual arts, music composers
Benefits: At events organized by The Colony, works of resident composers, visual artists and writers are exhibited and performed.
Deadline: Ongoing
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Rate My Artist Residency 
Hello
how can I apply to this Artist colony for 2025?
thank you
lchase378@gmail.com
What a horrible place. The owner is not in the country most of the time, and his family’s five dogs attack you. Engagement diamond rings were stolen, along with cameras and cash on many occasions. There is always noise from his family fighting and having loud parties. There is no pool anymore. There is no community. Someone complained the owner’s dog bit them, and he said it was their problem.
This place is no longer safe. Drug dealers thieves and a pimp live here. also out of control dogs that bite people.
Landlord is indifferent or belligerent. He takes the rent and flies to other countries. Driver drinks starting at9 am. Maintenance worker can’t read or grasp numbers.
Landlord’s family destroyed the pool, the art studios, the open air meeting area. He doesn’t want artists anymore.
Workers chop down trees, cut metal for his personal renovations, dump and move piles of dirt, mix and lay more cement everywhere where lawns once lived. One worker said he’d “fixed a nest,” and cut it down, leaving three baby toucans to die on the driveway. So noisy, and unsupervised mentally handicapped workers keep ruining things.
The family cut the internet line and the water line so water was contaminated. The laundry is broken. No furniture, appliances or household items are provided.