About The W.E.B Penpal Program

The Gothe Residency of the Arts Written Exchange Beacon (W.E.B) is an international Penpal Program designed to foster tangible creative exchanges and meaningful connections between dark-spirited and/or alternative artists through the traditional art of letter writing. “The W.E.B exists to preserve the dying art of handwritten letters—an art form I am quite fond of—offering dark-spirited artists a deeply engaging creative exchange that transcends the digital realm. This program ensures that the beauty and intimacy of written letters remain alive and accessible to dark-spirited artists in GROTA’s community.” - Vincent Gothe, Envisions Magazine

Currently, with over 50 paired Penpals from 26 unique regions around the world, the W.E.B underscores a global demand for intimate, reflective communication and the enduring relevance of traditional correspondence in fostering personal and artistic growth. “Looking ahead, I hope the genuine connections made through this program will eventually lead to some of GROTA’s first potential collaborative/partnered resident guest applications. The idea of hosting two individuals who met across the world in a place that appeals to their shared sensibilities is incredibly exciting, and I deeply look forward to the incredible projects and shared opportunities to come of this.”

Every applicant is paired manually with great care and consideration of individual interests and aspirations—ensuring we can help facilitate meaningful, enriching, and rewarding penpalships. Because of this, applications are currently limited to Patreon members only. A link to the application form is always available on GROTA’s Patreon.