I'm very excited to announce that I'm off to Iceland for an Artists residency in March this year!!!
It is with the Fish Factory creative centre based in Stöðvarfjörður, a remote village in the East fjords of Iceland. Previously an abandoned fish factory - as the name suggests - the building now houses a creative centre for nearly every type of creative outlet going!
Here is a little bit about them in their own words - The Creative Centre is an ongoing collaborative and community project and our actions and aims are based on sustainable principles and alternative methods. We want to regenerate and sustain our small village by making it into a possible and desirable place to settle – a place where you can have engaging jobs, enjoy culture, and the influx of new ideas and creative people. The Centre is meant to be a platform offering many different workshops and facilities where small initiatives can thrive and jobs can be created. We run an all year around Art Residency for most creative fields and we frequently host cultural events and concerts. Currently we are starting up workshops and study courses at the Centre. We also host a small fish processing company, the local fish market, and the Red Cross charity shop of the village.
When I first read about the organisation I felt an affinity toward them and the area. I believe it's mainly because the areas shares some characteristic similarities with my home - the Isle of Wight. Beautiful scenery but with a tough socio-economic climate, a reliance on tourism and a very evident resilience from the population for survival and in this instance a truly creative solution for creating jobs, generating income and promoting Artists.
So in the meantime I will be preparing for my trip and the project amongst other work! Here's to 2017! Happy New Year!!!
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| Fish Factory Creative Centre |
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| Óseyri Farm, Stöðvarfjörður, East Iceland |
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In Here Wall Drawing/ Jesús Portal, 2016. Courtesy of Sarah Marsam
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