How do I get to Baer?
The best way to get to Baer is with a bus from Reykjavik.
There are two bus companies that offer regular trips from Reykjavik to Akureyri with stops in our area. Following are their websites:
www.sterna.is - see Route 60, going through Varmahlíd (pick-up spot).
www.straeto.is - see Route 57, going through Saudárkrókur (pick-up spot).
We offer pick-up of our residents at either location.
Another way to get to Baer is by rental car, but it takes approximately 4 hours to drive to Baer from Reykjavík.
What do I need to bring with me?
You need warm and rainproof clothes, good hiking boots (sneakers are not sufficient), swim suit, hat and mittens (we are very close to the Arctic cirle!). Also, you should bring your most critical art supplies or have them shipped ahead of you to the Baer address, and you need money supplies for your personal expenses.
Do I get a private studio?
Yes, for the short residency sessions each resident has his/her private studio, bedroom and bathroom.
For the week long workshops and art classes, the studio space is shared by two persons.
The studio space is approximately 40 m2 (400 sqft). See images under facilities.
Is there a place nearby that offers basic services?
Yes, there are two places nearby that offer basic services.
Hofsós is just south of Baer. In Hofsós there is a small grocery shop with a mail drop-off, a swimming pool, a small restaurant/bar and the Emigration Center, a museum. In Saudárkrókur (30min drive) there is a hospital, all basic health services, a big supermarket, hardware store, post office and more.
Where can I buy art supplies?
Some basic art supplies can be bought in Saudárkrókur and also in Akureyri. There is a hardware store in Saudárkrókur which has been very popular among the Baer residents. For other art supplies, they can be mail ordered from an art supply store in Reykjavík.
How is the weather during June and July?
Weather during the Icelandic summer is very unpredictable. Temperatures range from 5°Celcius to 20°Celcius, and weather can change quickly from sunshine to rain.
Are places of interest nearby?
There are many interesting places in our area.
The town of Siglufjördur, the cultural center Hólar in Hjaltadalur and the heritage museum at Glaumbaer are some of the places of interest nearby.
Does Baer offer residency sessions over the winter months?
No, Baer offers neither residency sessions nor workshops over the darkest winter months (December, January, February and March).
The winter in Northern Iceland can be very tough and has extremely short days, and quite frequently the roads close down.
Can I bring my family with me to Baer?
Baer does not accommodate for families, because of the smallness of the program and due to the setup of accommodations.
Depending on the circumstances or the program, spouses/partners can be accommodated after an approval from the residency.