by In 1980, Kees and Geraldine Zwanikken, together with their sons Christiaan and Louis, arrived in Mértola, Portugal. There, they began the long and devoted process of restoring the ruins of a 16th-century Franciscan monastery, the Convento São Francisco de Mértola.
Over the years, this once-abandoned place transformed into a vibrant sanctuary for art, ecology, and reflection, shaped by a family’s vision and guided by deep respect for both nature and culture.
Today, the Convento continues under the care of the second generation, who welcome artists and guests from around the world to be part of its ongoing story.
CHRISTIAAN ZWANIKKEN
Christiaan (1967) is an internationally recognised artist working at the intersection of sculpture, robotics, and biology. He is the founder of the Convento Artist-in-Residence program, which he initiated in 2004 with the belief that the Convento should be a shared space for creativity, experimentation, and deep focus.
Spending time both in Amsterdam and Mértola, Christiaan develops his own work on-site while also curating and developing the vision of the residency. His practice is deeply influenced by the ecological richness and otherworldly atmosphere of the Convento and its surroundings.
CHERYL SCHURGERS
Cheryl (1991) is a visual artist working with performative photography and image-making. She plays a key role in the artistic and organisational direction of the Convento residency.
In addition to her own creative practice, Cheryl is responsible for all visual communication, including photography, styling, social media and external presentation. She curates the public face of the Convento and helps shape the tone and experience of each stay. Her long-term presence and sensitivity to the place make her an essential voice in its development.
LOUIS ZWANIKKEN
Louis (1970) is the quiet force behind the care and continuity of the Convento. From the architecture to the gardens to the wider landscape, he works tirelessly, and often invisibly, to maintain the integrity and daily functioning of this complex site.
With patience and precision, he oversees the natural and built environment, ensuring that the Convento remains not only beautiful but also resilient. He works in close collaboration with his brother Christiaan to guide its future with a shared long-term vision.
GERALDINE ZWANIKKEN
Geraldine (1942) was a classical solo dancer with the Dutch National Ballet before dedicating herself to the land around the Convento. Drawing on her roots in Indonesia and a lifelong interest in biodiversity, she helped regenerate the landscape into a rich mosaic of gardens, groves, and wildlife habitats.
Though no longer active in daily operations, she remains a symbolic presence and source of stories that connect visitors to the Convento’s deeper history. Her influence is still felt in the spirit of care, creativity, and natural wonder that defines the place.