Operational Costs for ISLA through December, 2024

We are building our dream of an Art & Music Residency and Retreat! It's called ISLA (International Sound & Light Arts - www.isladenmark.com) and it is taking shape on our 200 year old farm on the island of Strynø in Denmark. This campaign is to fund our Operational Costs through the end of the summer while we continue working with the Architectural Firm, Sound Engineers & Designers, Curators, Chefs and more to develop the grand dream to fruition. Please be a part of our journey with a contribution no matter how big or small. Your support is vital and much appreciated!

Cecilie & Gabriel

ABOUT US

We built a dream up and bought a farm on a small Danish island called Strynø. Situated on 1.2 acres in the Baltic Sea, we call it ISLA (International Sound & Light Arts). It will be a residency and artist retreat that brings artists, musicians and chefs from the US and all over the world to our farm on the island to create in peace.

We’re building a world class music studio in the barns, an artist hotel, art studios and a bistro.

Gabriel spent half of his life recording on more than 120 albums, touring the world with various artists (Natalie Merchant, Andrew Roachford, Soup Dragons and many more) and writing and recording 10 albums of his own. Cecilie holds an MFA from The Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen and also studied at Parsons (NYC) and Konstfack (Stockholm) during her education. She has shown her work around the world at galleries and museums. She released several albums of her own. Together, we started a family and Lucia Rae is now 3 years old. We also started the band Gate to Venus and released our 4th LP entitled Twilight Serenades.

You can listen here: www.gate2venus.com

VISION

Our vision is to create a unique pearl in the South Funen archipelago in Denmark, where music, art and gourmet food meet. At ISLA, we envision artists creating in the most beautiful and inspiring surroundings. We will offer facilities for teaching, conferences, exhibitions and concerts as well as a state of the art recording studio and art studios funded by public and private funds.

MISSION

ISLA is an idyllic and inspiring place for professional visual artists, musicians and chefs. It offers a space to create in peace and quiet surrounded by beautiful nature. At the same time, ISLA significantly strengthens the local community through cultural experiences, increased tourism and jobs.

VALUES

Inclusion and diversity.

We have a holistic, human centered approach, where everyone is welcome and included.

EXCLUSIVITY

While we're inclusive on a human-level, ISLA facilitates an inspiring environment exclusively for exceptional artists. The local community and other audiences are invited into the space for special events, shows and exhibitions.

COMMUNITY

We aim to strengthen and enrich our 2 communities - The local island community and our international art community.

SUSTAINABILITY

The buildings, which were relocated from the village of Strynø to their current location in 1827, are maintained, restored and developed according to the current environmental standards by Danish architect Anna Mette Exner. The bistro has an organic farm-to-table concept, where local products and labor are always a first choice.

Drone video footage ©2023 by Rasmus Ranum used by permission.

"Money" and "Brand New Shoes" instrumental tracks used from the

Gate to Venus album Chrysalis Metropolis ©2020 used by permission of Cecilie Beck/Gabriel Gordon