ABOUT US

House of Hulda was founded by Mariell and Ezra from a shared love of art, nature, hospitality, and the belief that creativity needs time and space.

Mariell grew up on Andøya, and the island has always been an important part of her life and creative practice. Over the years, we found ourselves returning again and again to the things this place offers: the shifting weather, the vast landscape, the open horizons, and the perspective that comes from being surrounded by nature.

The house itself has been a labour of love. What is now House of Hulda was once a neglected and run down house. We spent more than a year renovating it ourselves, with Ezra drawing on his skills as a carpenter and Mariell learning everything from tiling and plastering to painting along the way. Much of what guests see today has been restored, repaired, or built by our own hands.

House of Hulda was created as a place where artists, writers, researchers, and guests can step away from everyday routines and spend time in a different rhythm. A place for focus, reflection, rest, and creative exploration.

What began as a shared idea has gradually grown into an artist residency, retreat, and living collection. Through artist residencies, guest stays, and the artworks left behind by resident artists, the house continues to evolve. Each contribution becomes part of the story of the place and helps shape the experience for those who come after.

At its heart, House of Hulda is about sharing a landscape and a way of being that has inspired us for many years, and creating the conditions for others to experience it for themselves.

OUR ETHOS

House of Hulda is an artist-led residency and retreat on the island of Andøya in Northern Norway. We believe that creativity flourishes when people are given time, space, and the freedom to slow down.

We also believe that access to creative opportunities should not be determined by economic background. Through our residency programme, we aim to create opportunities for artists and creative practitioners who may not otherwise have the resources to spend time away from daily obligations and immerse themselves in focused work, reflection, and research.

Equally important is access to nature. For many people, the experience of vast landscapes, open horizons, and stillness is not something they have encountered before. Situated between the mountains and the sea, House of Hulda offers a rare opportunity to experience the Arctic environment and the perspective it can bring.

The residency is built on a model of reciprocity. Artists invited to stay at House of Hulda are offered time and accommodation in exchange for contributing a work to the house's growing collection. Over time, these works become part of an ongoing dialogue between residents, leaving traces of those who came before and inspiration for those who follow. Each artist leaves a trace of their time here, helping to shape the experience for the next.

House of Hulda is sustained through a combination of public and private funding, guest stays, and the support of the wider community around the project. As a non-profit initiative, all income is reinvested into the residency programme, the care of the house, and the creation of future opportunities for artists. Every stay contributes directly to the continuation of the residency and the growth of the collection.

By staying with us, guests become part of an evolving project that values creativity, accessibility, and meaningful encounters between people, place, and art.