Skagaströnd

Skagaströnd (Peninsula-Beach) , the hometown of Nes artist residency, has about 520 inhabitants. The town is located in the North-western part of Iceland 20 km off of highway #1 near Blönduós, about a three hours drive from Reykjavík. Originally a Danish trading port, now it revolves around the fishing industry with a thriving fishing harbor and fish market. The town, although small, has all the main services that a visitor might need including a bank, library, post office, gas station, gym, pharmacy, grocery store, one restaurant, with an addition of a café and swimming pool open in the summer. There is a golf course nearby, mountains to climb, horses in the fields and boats in the harbor.

To Icelanders Skagaströnd is better known as the hometown of Hallbjörn Hjartarson “The Icelandic Cowboy” and “Country King.” He has promoted American Country music, as well as his own Icelandic country songs, for decades on his private radio station on the second floor of “Kántríbær” the Country bar and restaurant in town. He also started the “Country Festival” now held in August every year by the people of Skagaströnd.

In the vicinity of the town there is also a golf course considered one of the harder ones to play in Iceland (probably due to wind), horse-farms to visit
and mountains to climb. Fishing in nearby lakes and rivers is popular, which also attracts many visitors. Please note that if you want to bring your own fishing pole it has to be new (still in sealed plastic) or proven disinfected or will otherwise be confiscated at customs. This is to protect against diseases.

It is the hope of the people of Skagaströnd that this new artist residency

will generate a melting pot of ideas and inspiration in all fields, as well as create an atmosphere of cooperation between the artists and inhabitantsof the town. We also hope that your stay in Skagaströnd will be a fruitful
time including both work and play.