Kulturnest Garden Artist Residency (Spring 2026 Edition II)
We are pleased to announce that Claude Nakhle and Datevig Berberian have been selected for the Kulturnest Garden Artist Residency – Spring 2026 Edition.
Following a competitive open call that received 46 applicants, these two artists will be developing their practices over a three-month residency in Kulturnest’s garden, a shared and open workspace that encourages encounters with visitors, dialogue with fellow artists, and the visibility of creative processes as they unfold.
Claude Nakhle
Claude Nakhle is an artist born from a profound personal transformation. After years of burying his innate creative talent, his life took a decisive turn following a near-death experience. At the age of 43, he embarked on a courageous journey into art, embracing drawing, painting, and potentially sculpture as tools of self-discovery and healing.
For much of his life, Claude associated intelligence with logic, engineering, and financial success. Over time, he came to recognize sensitivity and creation as equally - if not more - vital forms of intelligence. Deep within him, a quiet but persistent voice, his "mawhabeh" or natural gift, had been waiting to surface.
What began as an intimate act of healing evolved into a broader calling: an exploration of the self through artistic expression. His work carries a strong emotional sincerity, balancing strength and vulnerability, intellect and instinct. Influenced by both his parents, Claude’s practice embodies a dialogue between structure and flow, logic and compassion.
Each artwork becomes a narrative of emancipation, inner freedom, and emotional truth. Though his journey as an exhibiting artist began recently - including a virtual participation in the Kulturnest Expo - his practice continues to expand, marking an ongoing exploration of inner landscapes.
* Presence at Kulturnest: Fridays & Saturdays, 3 to 6 PM
* Residency start: First week of February
Datevig Berberian
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Datevig Berberian is a contemporary expressionist painter whose vibrant works draw deeply from Armenian art history, heritage, and calligraphic traditions. Her paintings capture the immediacy of the present moment through bold colors, expressive gestures, and layered compositions.
With over 12 years of experience as a creative interior architect and designer and more than 5 years as a practicing visual artist, Datevig has cultivated a distinctive artistic voice that bridges spatial sensitivity and painterly expression. Her work reflects a dialogue between history and contemporaneity, memory and movement.
Among her notable achievements are a series inspired by Armenian calligraphy and historical themes, through which she reinterprets cultural symbols in a contemporary visual language. Her work has been exhibited widely across Syria and Lebanon, contributing to an evolving conversation around identity, heritage, and expression.
* Presence at Kulturnest: Wednesdays & Fridays, 11 AM to 3 PM
* Residency start: First week of February
Throughout the residency, visitors and fellow artists are invited to meet Claude Nakhle and Datevig Berberian at Kulturnest, observe their creative processes, and engage in conversations around art, emotion, heritage, and transformation, all within the intimate setting of Kulturnest’s homey garden space.
The Kulturnest Garden Artist Residency is a year-round open call, sponsored by Kulturnest. Artists are welcome to apply at any time by consulting the residency details on our website HERE.