Koh Mak Art Residency | Coral Pottery - Create, Collaborate, Build Something New

Most ceramic residencies hand you clay from a bag. Here on Koh Mak, you'll dig some of yours yourself — wild clay, volcanic stone, wood ash from the pizza oven down the road.

Four wheels. Four residents. One private oceanfront bungalow each. Studio access whenever you want, for as long as you stay.

This isn't a retreat. It's a working residency on a slow-paced island in the Gulf of Thailand, built for artists who want real studio time and material nobody else can offer.

Availability & Stays

Open year-round, in two seasons.
Green season, 19 April to 22 October — lush, quiet, the season most residents say is when the deep work happens.
High season, 23 October to 18 April — drier, brighter, more energy on the island.
Minimum stay: one week. Most residents stay two to four.

Residency Pricing & Accommodation

Private Bungalow

A standalone bungalow set directly by the ocean, with unobstructed sea views and a private outdoor terrace. Wake up to the sound of the waves, create with the sea as your backdrop, and recharge in a space designed for both deep focus and quiet reflection. Suitable for artists of all levels and backgrounds.

Duration Green Season
(19 Apr – 22 Oct) High Season
(23 Oct – 18 Apr)

Per week 14,000 THB 21,000 THB

2 weeks 26,000 THB 39,000 THB

1 month 48,000 THB 72,000 THB

All rates include studio access and full participation in the residency program. Kiln firing fees for high-volume work billed separately. Early-bird discount: 10% off for bookings made 60+ days in advance, both seasons.

Check availability and book online →

Every stay includes

Studio access whenever you want
Connections to local craftspeople and island culture
Wi-Fi and an island transport orientation

Comfort Add-On — 3,500 THB/week

Add daily breakfast, gym access, and island transport — your choice of motorbike or bicycle. One flat weekly rate, booked directly with us.

Dig Your Clay. Mix Your Glaze. Fire What the Island Gave You.

Most residencies hand you clay from a bag. Here, you'll dig some of yours yourself.

Once a season, residents head out to collect raw clay and glaze minerals from around Koh Mak. You'll haul it back, process it, test-fire it, and work it into pieces that carry the island in them, literally.

It's messy. It's slow. It's the part every resident mentions first when they talk about their stay.

Every piece you make afterward carries a little of that trip — a mineral note in the glaze, a grain in the clay body a commercial bag could never give you.

The Studio

Four BTH pottery wheels — one per resident, so nobody waits their turn
A 30×40cm kiln with dry-mode function, firing bisque to 800°C and glaze to 1160°C (occasionally 1240°C)
Stoneware plus seasonal local clay
In-house glazes made from feldspar, whiting, kaolin, silica, and island minerals

Philosophy & Structure

The residency is self-directed. No prescribed theme, no fixed curriculum — you bring the project, we bring the wheel, the kiln, and the island’s rhythm. Open to every level, from first-timers to career potters.

Residents live and work side by side, four to a season, trading ideas and covering each other’s kiln loads. It’s a small group on purpose.

The Residency Experience

Open-Concept Studio: Access to a shared working space whenever you want, equipped for ceramic art and mixed media.

Community Connections: Collaborate with local craftspeople, offer workshops to island visitors, and explore Koh Mak's unique culture and natural environment.

Flexible Programming: No rigid theme — bring your own project, propose skill-shares, host group critiques, or organise special events for the community.

Artists as Organizers & Contributors

Because this is a brand-new initiative — and we’re building it together — resident artists are invited to play an active role in shaping the program. This means:

Participating in studio setup and maintaining shared facilities

Sharing skills, hosting demos or informal critiques

Helping document and promote the residency for future seasons

Supporting communications, logistics, and community events

If you are energised by the idea of building something from the ground up, being part of the founding team, and leaving your mark on the Koh Mak art community — this is the residency for you.

The Island Setting

Koh Mak is one of the Gulf of Thailand’s best-kept secrets — slow-paced, unhurried, and genuinely beautiful. Creativity flows as naturally as the ocean breeze.

The island’s six pillars — simplicity, community, longevity, sustainability, innovation, and the good life — create an ideal environment for artistic growth and meaningful collaboration.

Who Should Apply?

Visual Artists

Ceramicists, potters, sculptors, and visual artists of all levels — from complete beginners to established practitioners — who enjoy working both independently and within a community.

Cultural Enthusiasts

Creatives drawn to Southeast Asian culture, tropical island life, and community-driven programmes.

Community Builders

Those ready to contribute their time, energy, and expertise to help shape the residency’s present and future.

How to Apply

Simple Application

Choose your dates, tell us a little about your practice, and a 3,000 THB reservation fee holds your bungalow. The balance is paid when you arrive.

Four wheels. Four residents. One island’s worth of clay to dig.

Apply for the next opening