NAVIgation Albania Artist Travel Info
Hi everyone,
We are so excited to welcome you on our creative retreat and exhibition in Albania! Please find essential Info below. Once you have reviewed this please feel free to ask any additional questions we have not covered in our zoom meeting on Wed or on the group.
We look forward to seeing you all very soon!
Ornagh and Sharon , The Nave Team x
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Meeting Points and times:
Hastings
10.30am meet with Luggage at Sharons
3A sturdee place
TN34 3AJ
Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nLMYCW6gXh3Qfk44A
St Leonards
11.00am
Azur Carpark
Luton Airport
Flight 1540pm
All those coming from London and meeting us at Luton please check the WhatsApp Essentials group when you arrive to find out what cafe we settled in and meet us there or we will see you on the flight.
Arrival in Albania
A coach will pick us up at the airport. Sign says NAVIgation Albania.
For those meeting us at Tirana please be aware our flight lands at 19:45pm. Please look for the sign and keep an eye out on our flight number in case there are delays: Flight Number: W94473
The coach will leave the airport ASAP when we are all together so if you are delayed or decide to make your own way there for any reason please let us know in the essentials group.
This is the route. It takes 35 mins to get there
https://maps.app.goo.gl/f5GW1DWh2e7or8ucA
The coach will drop us off in the village of Kruga.
And here our adventure begins..
From there we will need to trek up a hill with large cobblestones for ten minutes to get through the castle grounds to the hotel.
You will need to wear walking shoes for this!
Our luggage is being collected by the owner of our hotel (Ameliano) who will drive it up allowing us to walk the hill together.
Both hotels are in the same building. You have been allocated a room and will be notified of the room number on arrival.
Hotel
Wifi
Wifi codes are on the wall in the hotel
Wifi has been tested and we have a strong connection.
Breakfast
7.30an – 9.30am
Paying at the hotel
Pay in cash at the hotel for each transaction.
Out of respect for the Merlika hotel . When using the bar areas and communal spaces you are expected to buy a drink while there. One drink each time you are there is fine. ie if you are there for 3 hours you just need to buy one soft drink £1
Time difference
1 hour in advance
Money
There is a cash point to take out money. £3 on £100 transaction fee.
We would advise to take out euros because the hotel takes cash
Plugs
2 pin European Plug
|
Country / State / Territory |
Plug Type |
Single-phase Voltage (volts) |
Frequency (hertz) |
|
Albania |
C / F |
230 V |
50 Hz |
Sharing rooms
As you are sharing rooms please consider bringing ear plugs and eye masks in case people need to make noise or turn on lights while you are sleeping.Please be mindful of one another 🙂
Programme
The intention is to use the workshops, trips and available time at the hotel to create new work that will then be shown at the exhibition.
Please bring your own art supplies and equipment.
For presenting your work please consider clips, fishing wire, clip on lights, projectors, chargers, extension leads, easels, bluetack, costumes and anything else you may need to present your work. You are free to improvise with whats there but we cant guarentee you will be able to get all you need in Albania.
We will make hand written tags and sinage for artists work but if you want to print information or add QR codes please consider printing in advance.
There will be a team briefing meeting each night. You will get a chance to suggest and plan collaborations in the briefings and spare time at the retreat.
Practices will be held daily at the hotel. There will be a programme added to the wall where people can add the suggested time and location for their practice offerings. They can remind and introduce these offerings daily in the briefing meeting.
Trips
All trips are optional! This is your retreat make sure you are getting the time and space you need to create. Feel no pressure to do anything you do not want to, If you do not feel like creating new work and end up resting or needing alone time that is totally fine. Do you.
Tiriana is not one of the trips. It is reachable by bus from the village centre. 2 euros, 2 buses changing at Tirana bus station or Artur ( from the hotel ) will run us to the graffiti shop for 25 euro between 4 people.
Trips Prices
20 euro each
60 euro for package of 4 (Three listed below and mountain trip for free)
Or Artur will take anyone up the mountain to a scenic spot for anyone who wants to go for 10 euro
Friday 15th
Night 1
We will be allocating rooms then sitting down for a brief when we arrive. A quick intro, overview of program system and breakfast ordering system. This meeting will be short as we are aware some people will want to sleep after the long journey!
Saturday 16th
Ongoing practices throughout the day at the hotel. Optional Rest, Making and exploration locally.
Durres Trip 2-7pm
Durrës : Trip to town, beach and possible artist meet up
https://albania.al/destinations/durres/
Route (50mins and 50mins back)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xojyHsNK6safsXfk8
3 hours in town
Info about town:
Durres Amphitheatre: Start your visit with a trip to the Durres Amphitheatre, one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans. It’s a remarkable archaeological site with well-preserved ruins dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Durres Archaeological Museum: Head to the Durres Archaeological Museum to learn more about the history and culture of the region. The museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts spanning different periods, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts.
Durres Castle: If time allows, consider visiting Durres Castle, also known as the Venetian Tower. This medieval fortress offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. Explore the castle grounds and learn about its history as a defensive stronghold.
Sunset on Durres Beach: Take a stroll along Durres Beach, located just a short distance from the city center. Enjoy the sea breeze and beautiful views of the Adriatic coastline. If the weather permits, you might even dip your toes in the water or relax on the beach for a while.
Meet up with other artists ( info to follow TBC) https://muzehlab.org.al/
Sunday 17th
Ongoing practices throughout the day at the hotel. Optional Rest, Making and exploration locally.
Lake Shkodra: Trip 8am-2pm
2 hours at lake and town. Painting at lakeside
https://thesandyfeet.com/things-to-do-shkodra-shkoder-albania/
Route ( 2 hours there and 2 hours back)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WV1XKfBSzHev7uSv9
Shkodra Lake: The largest lake in the Balkans. You can enjoy a relaxing walk along the lake shore, rent a boat for a leisurely ride on the water, or simply admire the scenic views of the surrounding mountains. We suggest holding a painting/drawing class of the lakes and a meditation practice while we are here.
Monday 18th
No trips full concentration on completing work and Exhibition Set Up
Exhibition Private View and Party 7pm – late
Tuesday 19th
EXHIBITION DAY 1-6pm
Take down and pack Tuesday evening
Sali Shidaku House: Trip 8am-12pm
House of a Famous Albanian artist run by the artist’s daughter and granddaughter.
Route (50mins and 50mins back)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pE9hk3myB8stxEzf9
2 hours at the property
https://www.instagram.com/intoalbania/?hl=en
Wednesday 20th
Boarding passes need to be printed on the way back. Artur at the hotel will print these for us the night before. We will organise this in Tuesdays briefing meeting
Rooms must be cleaned and returned as they were originally
Luggage must be packed at reception at 8.00am so Artur can bring them down the hill for us again.
9.00am Leave
Tirana to LTN leaving 20th March 1150AM landing 1420PM
Arrival Home
Hastings drop offs at the same destination as collection
Social media
Please support Sharon and Ornagh with the social on the trip by sharing and tagging
@thenave
And following/tagging one another’s work
@ORNAGHWORLD
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@Seraseddon.art |
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@monasharonlisa |
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@Newton.nigel |
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@makasyte_ |
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https://www.instagram.com/becky.bbeast?igsh=MWJ2eHB0eDNpcmQwaQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr |
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https://www.instagram.com/becky.bbeast?igsh=MWJ2eHB0eDNpcmQwaQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr |
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@loy_london |
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@raspberryrippleforever |
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@susandiamondartist |
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@markcharles_thewhitereflectors |
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@alixmair |
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@morokoth_fournier |
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@selvenart |
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@slm_art |
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@Kinga.pilart |
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@dnomalanna |
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@cosmic.happens |
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@Caineruable |
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@jopobodyelectric |
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@josie.deighton.artist |
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https://www.instagram.com/arts_on_prescription?igsh=MWVweWhpNWh0czBqcw== |
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@lucid_luciana |
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@EmmaHundlebyArtist |
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@livicggurl |
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@rosiestricklanddesign and @rosiestrickland__ |
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@eide_mayy |
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@kkbysea |
Filming
A NAVIgation: Albania documentary is being filmed. Please support The Nave by taking part and being respectful of those filming. If you do not want to be filmed please communicate/remind the team of this politely 🙂
For those filming
Sharing footage is common practice in The Nave if you have an issue with this please notify Ornagh in private DM in advance.
For best practice please help us by sharing footage to The Nave drives before we leave in the final brief meeting. Please remember to bring additional drives where necessary.
Link for Zoom meeting
Topic: Albania Icebreaker
Time: Mar 13, 2024 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73754506946?pwd=18ehcHSIsa1928d8eVna62s51EhPzb.1
Meeting ID: 737 5450 6946
Passcode: 2f8NtV
Vibe of the trip and The Nave
We have mentioned before this is not a luxury trip or a trip based on over indulgence. We are primarily here to connect, create and inspire one another. With a large group of artists and different personalities we understand there may be challenges. At The Nave we like to foster an inclusive, collaborative environment built on the values of respect, fun and freedom. Please be kind in your communication. Be aware you are sharing space and be considerate of your noise and energy. Some people may have mental health difficulities you cant see. Lets support one another to have the most fulfilling experiences we can. The practices are there to support you to go deeper and relax into creating but if you feel overwhelmed or need additional assistance please feel free to reach out to the Nave team at anytime (we will notfiy you of who you can speak to).
See you soon for an exciting adventure!
contacts
For further information please contact:
Ornagh: Artist, Curator and Creative Director
Sharon: Travel Coordinator and Social Media Lead
Email: info@ornagh.com
