I came upon a listing last August for a writing residency in Costa Rica and immediately started daydreaming. Maybe I could earn a spot there by winter 2025—which would get me out of cold, dark New England. I pulled up the website, drooling over lush tropical photos. And that’s when I saw the last-minute opening. A writer had canceled! There was a three-week residency available from mid-October to early November. Only six weeks away—but—Costa Rica! How could I not apply?
My work schedule affords me travel flexibility, so I pulled materials together and sent it off. That’s when I met JoAnne Tucker, our guest this month and the owner and residency director of Casa Uno. JoAnne reviewed my samples, asked for two references, and we scheduled a Zoom call. Inside of a week, I was offered the residency. Six weeks later, I was on the ground in Atenas, Costa Rica.
JoAnne has been committed to the arts throughout her life, studying dance at Juilliard and holding a Ph.D. in theatre. She founded and for more than 30 years directed the Avodah Dance Ensemble. JoAnne also founded the documentary film company Healing Voices – Personal Stories that shares domestic violence survivor stories. She paints and more recently, she hosts a writers group for English speakers that meets weekly at her home. All this, on top of interviewing, selecting, and hosting artists throughout the year.
We’ve got a great interview teed up, plus more information on how you might be able to land a residency spot in Costa Rica with JoAnne. Stay with us, as we dive in!
WOW: Hello, JoAnne! It’s wonderful to chat with you again after spending three wonderful and productive weeks as a guest in your home at Casa Uno in the tranquil Central Valley of Costa Rica.
JoAnne: Thanks, Ann. I’m delighted to be sharing with the readers of WOW! Women on Writing. It’s fun to chat with you and meaningful to have you doing this interview since you were an artist in residence here.
WOW: First things first. What prompted your move to Costa Rica from the U.S, and when did you buy your home? And then, what inspired you to start an artists residency program?
JoAnne: My husband and I were living in Santa Fe, which we both loved. In 2018, my husband’s health began declining and he was having problems breathing because of the altitude in Santa Fe. We began thinking of where we might live, and there was nowhere in the U.S. that appealed to us. We were also not happy with the direction the U.S. was moving in, and so we began looking outside of the States. We considered several places, and Costa Rica checked the most boxes. It is a short flight to and from the U.S., which meant it would be easy for our kids to travel here. We had spent time in Costa Rica and our experiences were positive. We did lots of research, reading blogs and books related to people who had adopted Costa Rica as their place of residence and even quite a few accounts of why people had returned to the U.S. We also liked the philosophy that Costa Rica does not have an army and that taxes go toward education and healthcare.
We spent three weeks in the fall of 2019 in Atenas, as that place stood out to us. It is close to the airport and good hospitals, it’s not a tourist town, it has a relaxed feeling, and yet has all the basic services for comfortable living.
My husband’s health continued to decline. He passed away after we lived here for nine months. It was during COVID and this was an ideal place for me to continue living for the time being. Each day, my desire to make this my permanent home became stronger. The arts have always been such an important part of my life. The idea of sharing this beautiful property with other artists appealed to me. As I researched artists residencies around the world, my enthusiasm built and the research also helped me define how I would run Casa Uno’s residencies.
WOW: Your property in Atenas can host up to three artists, with private rooms and baths. Two rooms are in the main house, and a separate casita has a bedroom, bath, and kitchen where residents prepare meals together. My birthday fell near the end of the residency and Melisa, an opera librettist who just happens to be a trained chef, baked a Tres Leches cake for me—in homage to the cake’s roots in Latin America. She also whipped up a delicious ratatouille made with fresh vegetables from our trip to the farmer’s market that we enjoyed with fellow resident Katreana (Kat).
You’ve had artists from around the world stay with you, is that right? From prose writers and poets, to dancers, screenwriters, visual artists, photographers, and more. What do you appreciate about meeting people from all over? And how have these relationships with residents deepened your own artistic pursuits or piqued your curiosity and learning?
JoAnne: Yes, artists are coming from all over the world, although the majority are from the U.S. I am constantly learning from each residency, especially how to “hold space” so each person can gain the most from their time here. I’m fascinated by each person’s approach to what they are working on. It has expanded my knowledge on lots of new subjects and I see my surroundings in new ways. I love how a recent resident became fascinated with the seed pods from the Guanacaste tree on the neighboring property and wove them into her poetry.
Having creative energy around is just plain fun. I’m not sure it motivates my own creative endeavors, as that is just who I am. In fact, it may take time away from my painting and writing, as there is a lot of administrative work that goes with running Casa Uno. I am OK with that at this point in my life.
Casa Uno living room and the majestic African tulip tree
Photos by Ann Kathryn Kelly
WOW: What do you look for in compelling residency applications? Does a “yes” jump out at you? How do you know?
JoAnne: A “no” jumps out more quickly than a “yes” because those applications tend to be incomplete. The project may not be well described, or the sample of work does not resonate with me. There are lots of good applications and part of my challenge is putting the right group together for the right dates. I encourage each person to fully answer the questions and send a good example of their work. I do check references and pay attention to who has written it. When it comes from a professor, an editor, or a past Casa Uno resident, it carries more weight than a friend of the applicant. I also prefer to have different artists here at the same time. A poet, a musician, and a visual artist, for example. Or a librettist, a writer penning a murder mystery, and an essayist. Sometimes a person isn’t invited not because the application isn’t good but there are just too many similar artists applying at that time with a preference for specific dates.
WOW: I can’t get too far in this interview without introducing a VIP—Very Important Pooch—at Casa Uno: Oscar, your miniature poodle. Oscar is the undisputed mayor and Chief Lap Sitter at the property. How do you think Oscar complements the residency experience?
Oscar, Chief Lap Sitter
Photo by Ann Kathryn Kelly
JoAnne: Oscar loves people and adjusts quickly to new residents. Unless he is chasing the black birds he doesn’t like, or iguanas, he is very calm. For me, the important thing is that he is comfortable with people coming and going. I don’t know how he complements the residency for people. That is a question that maybe you can answer.
WOW: Oscar was a ray of sunshine each day! He was my constant companion on the patio, content to just stretch out on my legs and nap while I wrote, looking out at your majestic African tulip tree. Dog lovers, I think, will surely appreciate his company.
And, your property has a labyrinth! Tell our readers more about this unique feature that you added after you moved in. You call it Camino del Artista. What makes it special?
JoAnne: It was created especially for Casa Uno’s property based on the land and the purpose I wanted for the residency program. I think of it as being a mirror of the creative process. Ronald Esquivel, a Costa Rican architect who has created over 27 labyrinths, collaborated with me. For more detail, I suggest readers visit my blog.
Camino del Artista Labyrinth
Photo by Ann Kathryn Kelly
WOW: An intriguing read from your blog about your discussions with Ronald. And I love the aerial diagram and reading about the five buried crystals on the path. It was wonderful to walk it while I was there!
You also encourage residents to consider participating in your weekly writers group. Tell us more about this group: why it was formed and how you structure weekly meetings.
JoAnne: The writers group grew out of a residency in 2022. The residency program was new and there was only one writer here: Jennifer Paquette. Jennifer suggested, after reading some of what she was working on, that she could give attendees writing prompts. I thought it was a good idea. People enjoyed it so much that we decided to start a regular writing group afterwards.
I offered to host it and suggested that we base it on the format Jennifer had introduced, as well as guidelines that the Steamboat Springs Writers Group follows. Both Jennifer and my late husband were part of the Steamboat group that is now over 30 years old.
Our group’s structure is that each person who wants to read has 10 minutes to share, followed by five minutes of critique from participants that is focused on what is working and what the listener might be curious to hear more about. When a large group is expected, we use a sign-up sheet. When there is time left over and everyone who wanted to read has, then we do a writing prompt.
I strongly encourage artists-in-residence to participate, so regular attendees can hear new voices. I think it also helps residents learn about the people making Atenas their home.
“I am constantly learning from each residency, especially how to ‘hold space’ so each person can gain the most from their time here. I’m fascinated by each person’s approach to what they are working on. It has expanded my knowledge on lots of new subjects and I see my surroundings in new ways.”
WOW: What do you think the writers group gives back to regular attendees (many of whom started out as your neighbors and are now your friends)? Can you share a few examples of how the group has helped a member move a project forward?
JoAnne: The main thing I’ve heard from them is that they feel encouraged to keep writing. Many have expressed they like having a weekly meeting, as it keeps them progressing on their project. The group is open to all forms of writing, from a murder mystery to poetry. Because the topics are so diverse, no session has even gotten boring. At times, a writer may share something very personal and a level of confidentiality is required. That is in our guidelines and the group respects this. And yes, friendships have developed in the group and sometimes when it is noon, people will hang around for a while or go out to lunch together. It has provided opportunities to meet new people with shared creative interests.
WOW: What do you think your writers group gives back to the Atenas community, in terms of promoting the arts among locals?
JoAnne: It is too soon to tell. We are doing our first public reading at Art House, which is located in the center of Atenas, and so it will be interesting to see if it builds more interest. Right now, I would just say it provides an opportunity for people with shared interests to get together.
WOW: On the last Saturday of each three-week residency, artists are expected to share what they have been working on with the community. My reading validated what sections of my memoir-in-progress resonated with impartial listeners, and helped me see where I might need to dig deeper on any passages that felt vague to them.
What general feedback have you received from the community on these presentations from various artists? And how do you think the presentations prove, in a way, the value your residency program brings to the larger community?
JoAnne: The general feedback has been extremely positive. What I miss most living in Costa Rica—and others do too—is access to live experiences in theatre, dance, and visual arts. Yes, some things happen in San Jose, but it is a big deal to go back and forth to the capital. We are slowly developing some local options and each residency cohort’s presentations are examples of that. Information about the artists’ presentations is spreading by word of mouth and my list of people who want to attend is getting longer and longer, so that is saying something about how much it is appreciated.
Oscar, exhausted by a long day of writing, and the Casa Uno pool
Photos by Ann Kathryn Kelly
WOW: Downtime can be an important element to any residency. I took advantage of a day trip into the rainforest with my fellow residents and a local guide. I’m happy to report that we spotted a three-toed sloth high in the trees! The biodiversity was thrilling: we saw tiny—and deadly!—poison dart frogs no bigger than one’s thumb, crocodiles sunning on a mud flat, capuchin and howler monkeys swinging through the canopy, colorful macaws bickering on branches, leaf cutter ants marching through the rainforest, beetles almost the size of one’s palm, butterflies of course, and too many more exotic animals, insects, and plants to list.
Poison dart frog, sloth, and howler monkey
Photos by Ann Kathryn Kelly
Yet, I recall reading during my application process that you don’t want applicants to view this opportunity to stay in your home as a free, three-week vacation. Absolutely valid; the art needs to remain the focus. I’m curious, though, to hear how you think the beautiful natural surroundings contribute to residents finding their flow? How have you seen (or heard about) a change in residents in their brief stay at Casa Uno? Do you have an example of someone becoming unblocked?
JoAnne: I don’t have any real examples of people becoming unblocked. I do see a general pattern in how they unwind once they are here, that seems to repeat with each new residency. The first week is about settling in and figuring out one’s rhythm and schedule. The second week is where most focus and work gets done. That is also the time for a day off excursion, such as you describe. The third week seems to go in two different directions. For some people, they work even harder realizing they may be going back to a very busy schedule and they want to get as much done here as they can. Others relax and polish work, glad to see what they’ve accomplished. And often, the last two days are about working on upcoming individual presentations to the community.
Gigantic beetle, iguana, and capuchin monkey
Crocodile and macaw
Photos by Ann Kathryn Kelly
WOW: Let’s turn to your lifelong involvement in the arts. You studied dance at Juilliard and you hold a Ph.D. in theatre. We’d love to hear more about each of these passions.
JoAnne: Since I was a toddler, dance has played an important part in my life. I used to love dancing when my grandmother played the piano. I still enjoy dancing, especially in the swimming pool. When residents aren’t here, I often put on music and improvise in the pool. I am fortunate to have studied with some outstanding teachers, both as I was growing up in Pittsburgh attending summer programs, and then at Juilliard. Most meaningful for me was studying dance composition at Juilliard under Louis Horst and the excellent faculty teaching the Martha Graham technique. I’ve written about that in my blog.
I ended up getting a Ph.D. in theatre because my husband accepted a job at the University of Wisconsin and the theatre department offered me a teaching assistantship. I was also pregnant at the time and was very lucky to continue to study while pregnant and then with a newborn.
WOW: You founded and for more than thirty years directed the Avodah Dance Ensemble in New York City. Tell us more about that. What did you most enjoy about it?
JoAnne: The Avodah Dance Ensemble started out exploring Jewish text through dance, particularly focusing on interpreting liturgy and finding women’s voices through a process called midrash. I co-authored a book Torah in Motion: Creating Dance Midrash which is used by Jewish educators. As the company developed, we moved into multicultural work and worked with women in prison. I’ve written about these experiences and your readers can learn more, if they are interested, here and here.
WOW: This is a great segue to ask about the documentary film company you founded, Healing Voices – Personal Stories. Tell us more.
JoAnne: The film company grew out of the work I had done with women in prison. I met women who had murdered their abusers because they did not know how to get out of an abusive relationship/marriage. Their stories haunted me and I wanted to showcase stories of women who have been able to rebuild their lives. We did six short films about women and one relating to men who are abused in relationships. One other film looked at how movement and meditation can be healing tools for recovery from an abusive relationship. I enjoyed each project very much, the collaboration with David Lindblom, co-director, cinematographer and editor, and Lynn Wimmer, dance videographer, as well as board members who became very involved in the filming process. Our films are available to stream here.
WOW: And now, you paint. I admired many of your paintings in various rooms in Casa Uno. When did you pick up painting, and how does it complement your lifetime of dancing and more recent pursuit of writing?
JoAnne: I treated myself to classes at The Art Students League in New York City for my 60th birthday. I knew we would soon be leaving the city and my main creative expression would not be dance, and so I wanted to take some classes in art. I attended a life drawing class for two years and loved it. It gave me a good grounding. Sometimes I feel like I am dancing on paper, especially when I was doing abstract art, although I didn’t bring any of those oils to Costa Rica and I am now focusing on my natural surroundings.
Related to writing, for a while I was writing haiku and then doing an accompanying watercolor. You can see an example on my blog. Right now, I love painting images from the garden. I am not sure where I am going with my own writing, other than committed to doing my blog on a regular basis.
WOW: JoAnne, your haiku and accompanying watercolor paintings are delightful! Thanks for sharing them. And I love your phrase “dancing on paper” above. Great imagery.
We’re happy here at WOW! to help you get the word out about your residency program, but in what additional ways are you promoting this great opportunity? I recall coming across a listing for it last year in The Practicing Writer newsletter that Erika Dreifus pulls together. Are you listed on any writing or residency websites that collate opportunities?
JoAnne: At this time of year I send notices to several newsletters, like the one from Erika Dreifus, and I appreciate when my residency listing is included. I also have an extensive email list made up of residency alumni as well as dancers, artists, filmmakers and others I have worked with through the years.
The pool balcony
Photo by Ann Kathryn Kelly
WOW: Your application window for 2026 residencies is currently open. Readers, find details here and send your material to JoAnne for consideration. Who knows, a Costa Rican retreat may just land on your calendar sometime next year!
“ I attended a life drawing class for two years and loved it. It gave me a good grounding. Sometimes I feel like I am dancing on paper, especially when I was doing abstract art. I am now focusing on my natural surroundings.”
So, what’s next for you personally, JoAnne, and for Casa Uno more broadly in the coming year?
JoAnne: I continue to like holding space in the form of the residencies and hosting the writers group, so I can mentor and encourage people by supporting their creative voices. While I continue to paint and write, I am finding I am more focused on holding space for others, along with spending quality time with my family. They come to visit me and I go to the U.S. for quick trips, especially with the recent arrival of a great-grandson.
Ann, it has been a pleasure to do this interview with you and I look forward to hearing from and seeing applications from WOW! readers.
My thanks to JoAnne Tucker for chatting with me. The Costa Rican way of life, “Pura Vida,” emphasizes enjoyment of the simple things. Savoring the moment. I found all that, and more, during my residency at Casa Uno: plenty of lush natural beauty, peace, and inspiration to create in Costa Rica’s serene Central Valley. I have no doubt you’d love it, too—so pull your material together and throw your hat in the ring!
Until next time, readers!
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Ann Kathryn Kelly is a memoirist and essayist living in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region. Her prize-winning writing has been published in dozens of literary journals and anthologies, and she has been awarded writing residencies around the world. Ann is a columnist with WOW! Women on Writing and she volunteers as a writing workshop leader. Visit her creative writing website. Ann also writes professionally for technology companies through her LLC, Pen on Demand.
