Learn about our international art studio.
Connecting Creatives
Green Olive Arts is an artist owned and operated international art studio and residency in Tetouan, Morocco, specializing in connecting the creatives of the world with the culture, beauty and creatives of Morocco. We desire to see the arts, the people and the culture of Morocco flourish and to see both visiting and local artists birth new works of imagination and thought for the good of humanity.
Our Mission and Values
Our mission is to resource creative individuals of high caliber emerging and established artistic talent from around the world for seasons of inspiration, production, collaboration and cultural exchange here in Morocco.
We believe that art-making is an endeavor which deserves the investment of community and global resources so that humanity and culture are reflected and preserved.
We hold a high priority of facilitating responsible tourism that honors both Moroccan culture and the eco-systems which make Morocco a beautiful place for art-making. We make it a priority to engage local services, vendors and talent in order to create jobs and grow in interdependence with the economy of the local community.
Our Team
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Founder & Executive Director
Rachel has a degree in studio art and over 25 years of experience in the arts as a mixed media artist, art teacher, studio manager and gallerist. She first moved to Morocco in 2006, living in Fes, then Tangier and now in Tetouan since 2014. Her attention to detail and creative problem solving bring strength and innovation to this team's highly-held value of nurturing the arts in both artists and community.
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Finance Director
Business entrepreneur, coffee lover and a resourceful maker, with experience in different industries and business areas, Xavi has worked with companies around the world.
If he's not doing the books, you'll find him in the wood shop or riding his bike.
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Media Director
Theresa has a degree in Visual Communication and 30 years of experience in advertising and marketing. She is an award winning graphic designer with passions for photography, film- making, and encaustic art. With her love for art and artists, her eye for good design, and experience in advertising Theresa strives to keep GOA at the forefront of art residencies in Morocco.
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Director of Community Relations and Studios
Helpful with a quick translation or a tip to navigate the city, Nathan is excited to connect artists with the people and places of Morocco. A painter himself, he has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art and Architecture. He moved to Tetouan in 2022 after working with the Mural Arts Project in Philadelphia.
Tetouan, Morocco
Tetouan, Morocco is a jewel of a city that lies off the well worn paths of big tourism and commerce.In the North of Morocco, on the North-Western tip of Africa, Tetouan is situated by the Mediterranean Sea in a beautiful valley at the intersection of two rugged mountain ranges. Tetouan’s ancient walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history and culture hidden within. Tetouan stands as a haven of old world artisanry, sumptuous spices, labyrinthine streets and dramatic landscapes; and yet it is still a place where the authenticity of the people and city lies raw, uncut, and close to the surface, allowing a valuable glimpse into the real lives of real people.
Tetouan’s architecture and second language reveal its place in recent history as the capital of the Spanish protectorate, a heritage that remains visible at every turn. With its countless annual arts festivals and associations, Tetouan has art “in its blood” at a grassroots level that is rarely seen in this part of the world. Here you will find Morocco’s prestigious National Institute of Fine Art (the starting point of many Moroccan artists), the National School of Architecture, the Royal Artisan School for children and the Tetouan Museum of Modern Art.
“Although one of the smallest of the Moroccan medinas, Tetouan is unquestionably the most complete and it has been largely untouched by subsequent outside influences.” – UNESCO
For a detailed history and description of Tetouan, see the following helpful links:
