Biksaiņi, Latvia

Why Biksaiņi works as a residency base

Biksaiņi is a small rural spot in Latvia, and that’s exactly the point. You go there for quiet, nature, and long stretches of time where nobody needs anything from you. Think more retreat than art fair: oak and apple trees, big skies, and fields instead of openings and networking nights.

If you’re coming from a busy city, the first shock is usually the silence. You can actually hear birds, wind, and your own thoughts. That makes Biksaiņi especially good if you need:

• Uninterrupted studio or writing time
• Nature-based research or field recording
• A reset period between intensive projects
• Lower living costs than a capital city residency

The art scene here is residency-driven: you’re not choosing a “city art district,” you’re choosing an environment and a specific host. Most interaction happens around the residency house and nearby villages, with occasional trips to larger towns or Riga if you plan them.

Key residency: Purvitis Kurzeme / Sila Ziedu Rezidence

The main program you’ll come across in Biksaiņi is listed as Purvitis Kurzeme on Reviewed by Artists, and described locally as Sila ziedu rezidence. It’s set in a 19th-century house surrounded by century-old oaks and apple trees, with meadows, forests, and clear night skies.

Atmosphere and setting

Expect a classic rural Latvian setting rather than a polished design hotel. The house is historic, the surroundings are wide open, and the soundscape is mostly wind, birds, and the occasional crane or swan. If you work with sound, photography, text, or any practice that needs patience and long walks, this environment does a lot of the heavy lifting.

The description emphasizes:

• A 19th-century home with character
• Old oak and apple trees framing the property
• Meadows, forests, and a broad horizontal view
• Very low noise and light pollution, good for stargazing and night work

Housing and work setup

The residency offers two fully furnished, well-equipped apartments. Each has its own entrance and a wide view over the garden, so you get privacy and an immediate sense of space when you step outside. Housing is specifically mentioned as included, which makes budgeting easier.

The general pattern at residencies like this is:

• You live and work in the same apartment, or supplement with portable studios (tables, outdoor work areas, etc.).
• Common spaces might be shared for conversation and meals depending on how the program is structured.
• The landscape itself becomes an extension of the studio: walking routes, open-air drawing spots, field recordings, photography, and site-specific experiments.

Because there are only two apartments, you’re likely sharing the property with just one other artist or working in complete solitude. That can be a gift if you’re on a deadline or trying to push a new body of work through.

Disciplines that fit well

The residency lists several disciplines, all of which make sense in this setting:

• Visual arts – drawing, painting, small sculpture, print, mixed media
• Textile – hand-based processes, small looms, dye tests if you plan ahead for materials
• Sound / music – field recording, composition, writing, editing
• Writing / literature – poetry, fiction, non-fiction, translation, research
• Photography – landscape work, staged scenes, long-term projects

It’s especially strong if you:

• Work with portable tools (laptop, sketchbooks, cameras, small instruments)
• Don’t need a heavy workshop, kiln, or industrial equipment on site
• Want time to rewrite, edit, or refine rather than fabricate large-scale objects

Why you might choose this residency

This kind of Biksaiņi residency tends to work best if you’re looking for:

• Retreat energy: you need quiet, reflection, and a break from your usual surroundings.
• Focused production: you have a big show, manuscript, or album in development and need concentrated time.
• Slow research: you’re gathering images, texts, sounds, or ideas for longer-term projects.
• Nature integration: the environment is part of your work, conceptually or materially.

If your priorities are public-facing exhibitions, dense networking, and frequent openings, this will feel too remote. But if you’ve been craving a place where you can actually finish that draft or work cycle, Biksaiņi lines up nicely.

Other Biksaiņi options and what “with housing” actually means

The Biksaiņi city page on Reviewed by Artists highlights that many local residencies include accommodation. That sounds obvious, but “housing included” can mean different things in practice.

Private apartments vs shared housing

When you compare Biksaiņi programs, pay attention to how the housing is set up. Common patterns include:

• Private, self-contained apartments – like at Sila Ziedu, where you have your own entrance and can fully control your routine, sound, and mess.
• Shared houses with private rooms – you share kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces but sleep in your own room.
• Communal living – more like a group residency where shared spaces and social structures are central.

Think about what you need for the work you’re planning. For deep writing or composing, a self-contained apartment is often worth prioritizing. For projects that thrive on conversation, a more communal setup might be energizing.

Self-directed vs structured programs

Biksaiņi residencies are usually self-directed: you bring your own project, and the hosts give you space, time, and sometimes light support. If you want a curriculum, set critiques, or regular professional development sessions, you may need to combine a Biksaiņi stay with another, more structured residency elsewhere in Latvia or abroad.

Questions to ask any Biksaiņi program:

• Is this fully self-directed, or is there a theme or schedule?
• Are there expectations for public presentations, workshops, or community projects?
• How many other artists are on site at the same time?
• Are there regular check-ins or totally free time?

Cost, supplies, and day-to-day life

Rural Latvia is generally more affordable than big European cities, but a residency can still stretch your budget if you do not plan. Use the housing as your starting point and build your budget around that.

Cost of living basics

In a place like Biksaiņi, your main expenses will usually be:

• Residency fees (if any)
• Groceries and occasional meals out
• Transport to and from nearby towns
• Art materials, if not brought with you

Questions to send the host before you commit:

• Is housing included in the fee, or separate?
• Are utilities and internet included?
• Is there any studio fee?
• Are meals provided, partially covered, or fully self-catered?
• Do you offer a stipend, or is this entirely self-funded?

Buying materials and food

Do not count on a fully stocked art supply store around the corner. Plan as if you are going camping with your practice:

• Bring or ship specialized materials, tools, and equipment.
• Check if there’s a nearby town with a basic stationery or hardware store for emergency supplies.
• Bring backups for essentials (hard drives, cables, adapters, ink, film).

For food, ask:

• Where is the nearest supermarket, and how do you get there?
• Is there a small local shop you can walk to, or do you need a car?
• Is there any shared system for grocery runs with other residents or hosts?

If you plan to work long hours, keep your cooking setup simple: batch cook, stock snacks, and remember to hydrate. It sounds basic, but it makes a huge difference when you have big work days.

Getting to and around Biksaiņi

Most international artists reach Biksaiņi through Riga. After that, you piece together regional transport and local help.

Typical journey

A common route looks like this:

• Fly or take a long-distance bus/train to Riga.
• Use regional bus, train, or car hire to reach the general area of your residency.
• Coordinate the final leg (pickup, taxi, or local bus) with the host.

Ask the residency directly:

• What is the nearest major town or station?
• Is there a recommended route from Riga?
• Do you offer pickup on arrival and departure?
• Is it realistic to stay without a car for the length of the residency?

Local movement and mobility

Local public transport in rural areas can be limited and infrequent. That can be great for concentration, but tricky for errands. Before you arrive, clarify:

• How often buses run to the nearest town.
• Whether you can rent a bike or car nearby.
• How residents usually handle supply runs.

If your practice involves large-scale sculpture, installation, or heavy equipment, factor transport in at the planning stage. For light and digital practices, a simple backpack setup works well.

Visas and paperwork

Latvia is part of the Schengen area, so your visa situation depends on your passport and the length of your stay.

In broad strokes:

• EU/EEA/Swiss artists usually have straightforward entry and residence rights, but should still check any registration rules for longer stays.
• Non-EU artists need to check Schengen short-stay rules and, for longer or paid arrangements, possible visa or residence permit options.

Before confirming your residency, make sure you know:

• Exact residency dates and total length of stay.
• Whether the residency is fully self-funded or provides any payment or contract.
• What kind of documentation the host can offer (invitation letter, contract, etc.).
• Where to find the latest rules from Latvian authorities or your local consulate.

Do this early. Visa and travel rules change, and you do not want to be sorting paperwork when you should be packing materials or finishing a proposal.

Season, light, and how they affect your work

Season shapes the entire Biksaiņi experience. Day length, temperature, and weather will change how you work and what’s realistic.

Spring to early autumn

Late spring through early autumn usually offers:

• Long days, especially in early summer
• Green landscapes, fields, and forests accessible for walks
• Milder travel conditions and easier local movement

This period works well if you want to:

• Work outdoors or photograph the landscape
• Collect sound recordings and visual research
• Integrate walking, reading, and sketching into your daily rhythm

Autumn and winter

Colder months can be powerful, but different:

• Shorter days and longer nights
• Cold, with possible snow and ice
• More introspective mood and fewer spontaneous trips

This can be perfect if your project is about:

• Editing and structuring existing material
• Deep writing, reading, or composing
• Winter light, muted colors, and quiet environments

Think honestly about how much darkness and cold you enjoy. If you struggle with short days, aim for late spring or summer. If you love quiet winters and indoor work, the off-season might be ideal.

Community, solitude, and showing work

Biksaiņi is not a gallery hotspot, so community looks different here. You’ll interact with hosts, fellow residents (if any), and nearby locals, rather than a packed calendar of art openings.

Social rhythms at rural residencies

Typical patterns include:

• Occasional shared meals or check-ins with hosts.
• Informal studio visits and conversations with other residents.
• Small, improvised showings or talks when it feels right.

If public outcomes matter to you, ask the residency:

• Do you arrange open studios or presentation evenings?
• Is there any link with local schools, cultural centers, or nearby towns?
• Are online sharings or documentation supported?

Many artists use Biksaiņi as a production phase, then show the work later in Riga or in their home context. You can also plan your own digital outcomes: publishing process notes, recordings, or virtual studio visits.

Who Biksaiņi is actually for

Biksaiņi works especially well if you:

• Want quiet, nature, and time away from city noise
• Have a portable practice (text, sound, digital, photography, drawing, textile, small objects)
• Can be self-directed without a lot of programmed structure
• Appreciate living simply while you focus on your work

It’s less ideal if you:

• Need constant access to specialized equipment or fabrication labs
• Rely on frequent gallery visits, openings, and in-person networking
• Prefer highly structured programs with tight schedules and regular critiques

If what you want is a rural base with housing, time, and enough infrastructure to support steady work, residencies like Purvitis Kurzeme / Sila Ziedu Rezidence give you exactly that. Think of Biksaiņi as a place to reset your pace, finish what has been pending for too long, and let your practice breathe a bit wider than it usually can.