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artist-in-residence index
ABOUT THE ART-RESIDENCY:
The environment of the art-residency is Saksalanharju and Kyyvesi lake, a unique
shaped landscape on Saksalanharju, the ridge of biggest monolith of Europe. Saksalanharju-Kirkonkylä
is a national heritage.
The background of art centre Saksala ArtRadius is to create an environment where
an artist can work, retreat, explore and reflect on their art and vision.
The art production is an individual process and an isolated place like Saksala
ArtRadius is most conveniently situated for the purpose of an artist
concentrating on their personal art production.
The target group for Saksala ArtRadius artist-in-residency in Finland are international
and Finnish artists interested in contemporary art and exploratory site-specific or community
based arts. Artists are invited to respond in an artistic way to rural and site
specific themes.
An attitude of independency in project development is expected of the artists, besides an
open mind towards the inter-cultural aspects of the stay.
Saksala ArtRadius
provides any support to create the co-operation between the artists and with local inhabitants
and local craftsmen. Artists can work in work spaces, studios, the fields,
forest, lake and harbor. The own studio can be used for small art productions. Other work spaces are
available for bigger works and painting etc. The outside area can be used for
sculpting. There is free internet access in the library. The books are free to
use in the library. Tools and machinery are available and free to use after
registration.
Disciplines and media are: Visual arts, New Media, Literature, Dance, Educational
projects/programs
In Finland there is more than enough harmony and space, coupled with a cultural
climate that stimulates the development of visual art. This project, to create
an art centre in Finland, was originated by the Dutch artists Marja de Jong and
Lucien den Arend. The art centre Saksala ArtRadius and the Finnish Open Air
Museum are the result of this initiative. This unique environment offers
artists a place where they can work while discovering their own artistic
direction or concentrating on a project. Artists of all ages from all over the world stay here for a short or longer
period of time to find the peace to work and to discuss with a fellow artist the
essence of art. For all these artists, whether just starting or experienced, the
opportunity to work in an environment where space, peace and harmony abound
results in a confrontation with their own conceptions and artistic vision. New
insights arise.
Artists are invited to stay in the residence program and to take part
of the special ambiance in the center. Artists have to keep in mind that it is the individual artist who makes
his/her own program and atmosphere. When possible artists can collaborate, but
there is no guarantee that this can be realized, it depends on the number of
artists and their interests.
The art centre is open the year round. A place in the rural area of Finland is
very quiet and isolated in winter. During summer cultural events are organized. The art
centre is developing special art education programs and has the intention to
start a student-in-residence facilities including art and art education master
classes.
The main purpose is to develop a place in the unknown rural area of Eastern Finland were artists can work on their own art production, take part in
the social life of the local community and be a part of the growing, changing and exploring art center.
The art centre is founded with private capital
for the benefit of the artists and the cultural development of the local
society. Up to now there is no structural
governmental support. All the costs have to be covered by income from rent, art
courses, art sales, activities and events.
There is no huge organization on distance,
but a direct contact between the artists and the small organization.
Living in this young, small and developing art center gives unique and
unexpected experiences
to an artist who want to find an individual artist-in-residence. Each artist is
a contributor to the image of the art center.
In a few years the art centre has build up an interesting network with art
organizations in Finland, Russia, USA, the Netherlands, Australia, Austria,
Turkey, etc this
network is expanding all the time. Artists taking part in the
artist-in-residence program are part of this network and they can be invited to
different art projects, like symposiums, exhibitions, contests, seminars etc.
Being an artist in the artist-in-residence program, the symposiums or in the
selected exhibitions is being a partner in the growing network of Saksala
ArtRadius.
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In 2006-2007 the art center has participate in different EU-projects: ART
ENLARGES THE AREA, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE ETELÄ-SAVO, VOINTIA and Rur-Act.
In 2007 the art centre has been invited to the artists-in-residence conference
in Boston and was bringing exhibitions of different artists to St. Petersburg
Russia.
In 2008 the collaborative exhibition
SOJOURN IN WHITE is
accepted into TransCultural Exchange USA and new cooperation projects with St.
Petersburg are planned. The art centre is also taking part in Culture Forum a
cultural
exchange between Finland and Russia.
In 2009 the artist-in-residence program again has been invited into the TransCultural
Exchange Conference in Boston.
During a stay in the USA in 2009 Marja de Jong has visited and have
had meetings and lectures in Provincetown MA - FINE ARTS WORK
CENTER, Peterborough NH - MacDowell Colony, Johnson VT - Vermont
Studio Center and Providence RI - the Alliance of Artists
Communities.
In 2011 the program of Saksala ArtRadius is part of the
TransCultural Exchange Conference in Boston.
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buildings
The buildings are situated in an extensively wooded area, open to the public on
the basis of the 'everyman' rule. The lake and the village are about three and
six kilometers from the centre. Larger places such as Mikkeli and Pieksämäki lie 40
kilometers further, Helsinki is 300 kilometers away and St. Petersburg 400
kilometers.
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The main objectives of the Saksala ArtRadius residency program are:
- To provide international arts professionals with an opportunity to undertake creative work, conduct research and carry out special art projects in the
Rural Area of South-East Finland.
- To develop possibilities for artists to work together with the
local society.
- To create circumstances where artists can develop their skills in
art education.
- To offer, through collaborative exchange programs, opportunities for artists based in Finland to work at residency centers abroad.
- To develop international collaboration, exchange and dialogue in the arts.
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Saksala ArtRadius is part of
the artists-in-residence group of Etelä-Savo
(TAIRE).
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An artist impression
'Oh Finland' by Cassie Thornton (artist-in-residence 2007-2008)
can be found on Flickr.
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The artist-in-residence program is closed and will open on another location
after the reorganization. |
support
The artist-in-residence program has got funding by:
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Arts Council Finland
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AllaprimA foundation the Netherlands
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AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry
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Saksala ArtRadius
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ALLAPRIMA MUSEUM