Each year in July/August, TaikaBox runs a two-week Warjakka Artist
Residency. Three artists – one from Finland and two from overseas, from
different art backgrounds are selected to take part. The residency is
organised in a small village called Varjakka in Oulunsalo in the bay of
Kempele. It is located 18km SouthWest of Oulu.
The aim of the residency is to develop process-led interdisciplinary
collaboration between the artists through site-specific work. The
residency benefits from the rich local cultural heritage, the empty
buildings of the old Warjakka sawmill on Varjakka island and the natural
beauty of the area. The residency is part of a larger cultural
development taking place in the area, which also includes Warjakka
Virtual Gallery housed by Warjakka Gardens alongside the road to
Varjakka harbour. Artists in the residency have the possibility of
utilising the virtual gallery in their work or have potential to work
remotely and show their work in the virtual gallery.
The aim of the residency is also to create dialogue between the local
community and the visiting artists. Artists are required to contribute
to the vibrancy of the cultural activity in the area by providing the
public with ways in to their creative process. This could include
meet-the-artist events, workshops or other ways of connecting with the
community.
Artists are selected for the residency through an open call in Spring.
TaikaBox pays the artists’ fees, accommodation, travel and per diems.
Artists are housed as part of the local community and therefore
accommodation can vary each year depending on the availability of the
accommodation and the artists’ needs.