Hrísey, Iceland

Why Hrísey is worth your studio time

Hrísey is a small island in Eyjafjörður in northern Iceland, a short ferry ride from the mainland at Ásskógssandur. Think: a trim fishing village, around a couple hundred residents, surrounded by mountains and sea, with long light shifts across the year. It’s remote enough that you feel removed from your usual noise, but still close to Akureyri, a regional city with more services and culture when you need it.

Artists go to Hrísey for focus and nature more than for a big art scene. You get:

• Isolation without being stranded – 15 minutes by ferry keeps it practical, but you still feel far from your regular life.
• Strong landscape presence – mountains, water, big skies, and changing light that can easily seep into your work.
• Birdlife and walking trails – both a subject and a rhythm; walking becomes part of the studio routine.
• A quiet, productive atmosphere – artists consistently describe Hrísey as calm, peaceful, and unexpectedly productive.
• Cross-disciplinary mix – visual artists, writers, performers, sound artists, photographers all share the same house and kitchen.

If your practice thrives on quiet, time, and a strong sense of place, Hrísey generally supports that very well. If you rely on big city energy, daily openings, or heavy tech, you’ll need to plan more carefully.

The Old School Art House (Gamli Skóli): Hrísey’s core residency

The main residency on the island is the Old School Art House, often listed as The Old School – Hrísey, Gamli Skóli, or under the art group Nordanbal. You’ll see it on platforms like TransArtists and Res Artis.

What the residency is about

The Old School is run as a non-profit, with a clear focus on sustainability and artistic exchange. It’s designed for artists in all media, including writers and performing artists, with a few simple goals:

• Give you time and space to work.
• Create chances to meet and exchange ideas with other artists.
• Encourage possible collaboration and shared projects.
• Let you experience the slower, nature-centered life of the island.

There’s no big institutional machine behind it; it’s more of a small, artist-run house set up for work and living, with a strong emphasis on self-direction.

House layout and facilities

The Old School is in the island’s former schoolhouse, converted into a living-working space. Typical features include:

• Four independent bedrooms – you have your own private room.
• Shared studio/working space – usually set up for roughly three artists or groups to work in at once.
• Shared kitchen and living room – the social core of the residency, where most conversations and informal crits happen.
• Basic amenities – shower, washing machine, library, TV, and internet.
• Wireless internet connection – suitable for research, writing, uploading images, and light communication.

One common description is that each artist has a private bedroom and access to studio space shared with up to three other artists. Expect a simple, functional environment rather than polished, high-design interiors.

What you will not find

The residency openly states that it does not provide technical facilities. That means:

• No dedicated printmaking presses.
• No ceramic kilns or metal/wood shops.
• No large-scale fabrication support or specialist technicians.
• No black box theatre or recording studio as a built-in feature.

You can absolutely bring portable gear (small audio setups, cameras, drawing and painting materials, laptops with software, small sewing machines, etc.). But if your project depends on heavy or dangerous equipment, this setting is not ideal unless you arrange off-site support in Akureyri or elsewhere.

Who the Old School suits best

The Old School is a good fit if you are:

• A visual artist working with drawing, painting, photography, video, digital work, or small sculptural pieces.
• A writer, poet, or researcher needing quiet and long stretches of uninterrupted time.
• A sound artist who can work with a laptop and headphones, or a compact setup.
• A performance or movement-based artist working on scores, scripts, or small-scale experiments.
• A small collective that can share studio space and a basic kitchen without friction.

It’s less suited to large installations, big fabrication projects, or work that relies on daily public presentation. Think intensive development phase, not exhibition or production sprint.

Living and working on Hrísey as an artist

Hrísey is tiny. There’s one village, no real “districts”, and not much in the way of nightlife or retail. This is part of the appeal: fewer distractions, fewer decisions, more attention on your work and your walks.

Where you’ll actually be

The Old School is in or near the village center on the southern part of the island, within walking distance of:

• The harbor and ferry.
• The small local shop (which also functions as a post office).
• The local restaurant.
• The swimming pool and hot tub area.
• Marked walking trails that loop around parts of the island.

The northern part of the island is a privately owned nature reserve. Access to some areas requires permission, so if your project involves that landscape, plan ahead and be respectful of local rules.

Cost of living and budgeting

Iceland is generally expensive, and Hrísey is no exception. The upside is that the island naturally limits how much you can spend.

When budgeting, factor in:

• Residency fees – confirm current fees directly with the Old School or Nordanbal, including what is included in that fee (heat, electricity, Wi-Fi, laundry, etc.).
• Travel to Iceland – flights or overland travel to reach Akureyri or another nearby point.
• Ferry costs – the short hop between Ásskógssandur and Hrísey.
• Groceries – prices are high compared to many countries. Some artists choose to buy larger loads in Akureyri and bring them over.
• Art supplies – anything specialized is usually best brought with you; local options are limited.
• Trips to Akureyri – occasional outings for supplies, exhibitions, or a change of environment.

Because the residency operates as non-profit and emphasizes sustainability, it tends to be framed as relatively affordable in relation to Icelandic costs, but you still need a solid budget, especially if your currency is weaker than the Icelandic króna.

Daily rhythm and working patterns

Days on Hrísey tend to fall into a clear, slow rhythm. A typical pattern many artists follow looks like this:

• Morning work block in the studio or at a desk.
• Midday walk around the village or along one of the marked trails.
• Afternoon work block, sometimes shifting medium (e.g., writing then drawing).
• Evening cooking and conversation with other residents, sometimes informal crits or sharing day’s work.

The small scale of everything makes it easy to move between intensive work and short, restorative breaks outside, which often helps projects that need deep thinking and slow development.

Studios, tools, and showing work

Hrísey doesn’t have a wider network of studios or galleries beyond what’s tied to the residency and local community spaces. The Old School is the default hub for working artists staying there.

Working with limited infrastructure

To make the most of the setting, plan your project around what’s realistically available:

• Bring materials that travel well – paper, sketchbooks, small canvases, portable electronics, compact cameras, and laptops.
• Think modular – work that can be completed or refined later, using Hrísey as the research or drafting phase.
• Use digital tools – sound, video editing, writing, image editing, and planning large projects.
• Let the environment shape your process – walking-based research, field recordings, photography, observational drawing, and text-based work all sit naturally here.

If your project absolutely requires specialized tools, consider:

• Arranging short-term access to facilities in Akureyri.
• Using this residency to focus on the conceptual, research, or prototyping stage.
• Planning a second residency or studio period elsewhere for heavy production later.

Exhibiting and sharing work

Hrísey doesn’t function like an art capital with a gallery district. Presentation tends to be intimate and local:

• Open studio moments inside the Old School.
• Small showings or presentations for other residents and islanders.
• Workshops with local children or adults, sometimes in collaboration with artists from Akureyri.
• Informal artist talks or walking tours of work-in-progress.

If you want more formal exhibition opportunities, Akureyri is the nearest place to explore galleries and cultural spaces. Hrísey works well as the creation phase, with sharing framed more as process-based and community focused.

How to get there and move around

Reaching Hrísey is not complicated, but it does involve a few steps.

Arrival route

• Travel to Iceland and then up to northern Iceland, often via Akureyri.
• From Akureyri or nearby, reach Ásskógssandur on the mainland.
• Take the ferry from Ásskógssandur to Hrísey; the trip is around 15 minutes.

Ferry schedules shift with the season, so always double-check current times before planning your arrival or day trips. Weather can also affect crossings, especially in winter.

On-island movement

The island is small enough to handle mostly on foot:

• Walking covers most daily needs, from the Old School to the shop, pool, and harbor.
• Bikes can be helpful if you want to reach more distant spots regularly.
• Marked walking routes (roughly 2–5 km) give you easy options for daily circuits.

Those walks, especially in changing light and weather, often become part of your practice: time to think, photograph, record, or simply let ideas settle.

Seasons, light, and when to go

The same island feels radically different by season, and which version supports your work best depends on your project and your tolerance for darkness or constant light.

Summer

Summer brings long days and extended twilight. This period suits artists who want:

• Landscape drawing, painting, and photography.
• Plenty of natural light for studio work.
• Regular walking and fieldwork without harsh conditions.
• Rich birdlife and easier access to trails.

On the flip side, constant or almost constant light can be disorienting, so consider sleep masks or blackout solutions if you’re sensitive.

Spring and autumn

Transitional seasons give a balance: changing light, fewer tourists, and often a strong sense of atmospheric shift that can feed into work focused on cycles, ecology, or impermanence.

You can expect:

• Variable weather: some bright days, some storms.
• More dramatic skies and fast-changing conditions.
• A quieter island, which can enhance concentration.

Winter

Winter on Hrísey is for artists who want intense quiet and are comfortable with darkness and cold. It can be powerful for:

• Deep studio work and projects requiring immersion and isolation.
• Atmospheric photography, sound recording, and writing.
• Exploring themes of stillness, time, and endurance.

In exchange, you deal with shorter days, potential weather disruptions, and more dependence on the ferry schedule. Plan carefully, especially if your project relies on regular movement or outdoor work.

Visas and paperwork

Because Hrísey is in Iceland, Schengen Area rules apply. What you need depends on your passport and the length and nature of your stay.

Basics to check

• Whether you can enter visa-free for a short stay, or need a Schengen visa.
• How long you’re allowed to remain in the Schengen Area within a given period.
• Whether teaching, public performances, or paid activities require a different permission than a standard short-stay cultural visit.

The residency can often provide invitation letters and proof of accommodation, but you are responsible for checking requirements with the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration and the Icelandic embassy or consulate relevant to your country.

Local art community and connections

Hrísey’s art community is small but active relative to the island’s size. It grows briefly whenever a new group of residents arrives.

Who you might connect with

• Other resident artists staying at the Old School, often from different countries and disciplines.
• Artists and cultural workers visiting from Akureyri for workshops or events.
• Local residents interested in art, especially during workshops with children or open house days.

Some residency cohorts organize children’s workshops, walking tours, or small exhibitions in collaboration with local artists from Akureyri. These experiences can become part of the work, especially if your practice involves participation, storytelling, or community engagement.

Regional ecosystem

Hrísey is more like a satellite to Akureyri’s art scene than a separate orbit. Akureyri offers:

• Galleries and exhibitions.
• Music and performance events.
• More artists, curators, and cultural workers to meet.
• Better access to materials and specialist services.

Building a few Akureyri days into your residency can help with both inspiration and networking, while you keep Hrísey as your focused working base.

Is Hrísey the right residency setting for you?

Hrísey, through the Old School Art House, is a strong option if you want:

• Quiet, concentrated time in a small community.
• A simple, shared house with private bedroom and basic studio space.
• Landscape, weather, and birds as constant background influences.
• Space to write, sketch, edit, compose, or prototype work without daily obligations.
• Occasional, low-key exchanges with other artists and local residents.

It is less ideal if you need:

• Heavy technical equipment or workshop facilities.
• A dense schedule of openings, talks, and institutional events.
• A big nightlife scene or constant urban stimulation.
• Instant access to diverse shops and services.

If the idea of a quiet island in a northern fjord, with a former school as your shared studio and home, sounds like fuel for your practice rather than a constraint, Hrísey usually delivers what it promises: time, space, and a very present landscape to work alongside you.