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Welcome to the artist residency in the Old Varkaus Art Village
Pictured is artist Olavi Fellman in the summer of 2024
Take a break from everyday life - Focus on what matters!
The bright and comfortable two-room residences and the inspiring milieu of Old Varkaus provide space for creativity. Our focus is graphic art + other fields of visual art, but artists from all fields are welcome and you can even bring your pet.
See what we offer to our residency guests
Self-funded residency application
Continuous application using the application form below
Application period 1.8.2025 - 30.4.2026
Length of residency 1 - 3 months
The residency includes.
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Accommodation + free WI - FI
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At the beginning of the residency, basic kitchen equipment (coffee, tea, salt, sugar, oil, basic spices)
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Parking (electric car charging and heating socket to be agreed separately)
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City bicycle for the whole period (spring, autumn)
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Use of the collective studio "Collective", with a graphics press and basic supplies, etc.
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Private, one-hour sauna shift per week in our courtyard sauna
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Possibility to wash, dry and iron your own clothes
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Possibility to change linen and towels once a week / on your own if necessary.
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Your contact person for residence matters.
Annikka Heikura
tel. +358 44 245 6449
Languages: Finnish and English
Enquiries (also outside the application period)
The Community
Our artists-in-residence have the opportunity to participate without obligation in the activities of Taideniitty by organising exhibitions, workshops or even lectures.
Good to know
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Taideniitty is located in a safe environment
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Distance to the shore of Lake Saimaa is approx. 200 m
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The building is not accessible
Toini Markkanen Foundation one-month residencies for two artists in August 2025
Application by e-mail by 30.4.2025
Application period 1.8.2025 - 30.4.2026
Length of residency 1 month
The Toini Markkanen Foundation offers 2 free one-month residencies for August 2025 at the Artists' House Taideniitty, Old Varkaus, to visual artists, with priority given to graphic artists. The artist will be offered a workspace and an apartment as well as a small grant (350 €) to cover expenses. The artist will pay his/her own travel, material and living expenses. The artist will be expected to participate at least once during the period in community activities such as an artist lecture, course, event, etc. There is also the possibility of a personal exhibition.
Applicants should submit an application to Taideniitty Artists' House with the following attachments: a CV, at least five photographs of recent work, a work plan including preferences for working space and a personal wish for a community activity, e.g. a workshop.
Applications by 30.4.2025 at taideniitty@gmail.com
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Rakennuksen kummassakin päässä on ilmaisia parkkipaikkoja
"The resident project has received EU rural funding through Mansikka ry Development Association."
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Niityn olo- makuuhuone
Oleskelunurkkaus
Näkymä olo- makuuhuoneeseen päin
Niityn olo- makuuhuone
Residence Niitty
Olo- makuuhuoneen vuoteet, sohva ja oleskelunurkkaus
Keittiön ruokailupöytä ja erkkeri
Näkymä keittiöön päin
Olo- makuuhuoneen vuoteet, sohva ja oleskelunurkkaus
Residence Aurinko
Check out our residencies
The Aurinko (Sun) and Niitty (Meadow) residences offer an atmospheric setting for working in the historic heart of Old Varkaus. Our wooden building was built in 1916.
Aurinko and Niitty are approx. 52 m2 in size and each has a combined living room/bedroom, large kitchen, private toilet+shower and free WI-FI.
Our beautiful courtyard is a common area for everyone; you can sit there in the evening, for example, barbecuing - the house offers you a gas barbecue free of charge. It is only a couple of hundred metres to the marina on the shore of Lake Saimaa and all basic services such as shops, pharmacy, hairdresser, laundry, florist, restaurants and church are within a radius of about one kilometre.
In Taideniitty you can also enjoy the warmth of the garden sauna and if you wish you can do your laundry, dry your clothes and iron them.
The Collective with its graphic arts presses and basic supplies is at your disposal.
Equality and equity
Equality and equity at Taideniitty means that all people visiting and working at Taideniitty are equal to each other. It means non-discrimination, but it also means that Taideniitty's activities, services and environment are developed in a way that takes account of people's diversity. There is zero tolerance for racism of any kind at Taideniity.
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Map of Old Varkaus
Photos from the Old Varkaus Taideniitty
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Photos of Old Varkaus
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Things to see and do in Varkaus
Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti is located in the former factory school. Designed by architect Karl Lindahl, it is a 100-year-old landmark building.
When you want to experience something unique, memorable and that feeds all your senses, head to the Mechanical Music Museum in Varkaus.
Taidekeskus Väinölä is a two-family house built in 1913 by A.Ahlström Oy. The Joy of Eastern Finland Naivists exhibition has been on display at Väinölä since 2012.
AVA GALLERY & ART LENDING
An art gallery offering a wide range of art in the heart of Varkaus.
Terrace café Torni, operating in summer at the top of Varkaus Water Tower. Customers can enjoy the magnificent views while sitting on cushioned terrace chairs and sofas and enjoying the specials.
The Tattoo Museum exhibits materials and tools related to tattoo culture from around the world.
Designed by architect Martti Paalanen, the main church in Varkaus was completed on the eve of the Winter War in 1939. The altarpiece "Let Thy Kingdom Come", painted by Professor Lennart Segerstråhle in 1953-1954, is a remarkable work of art, covering an area of 40 square metres, making it one of the largest altarpieces in the Nordic countries.
Kämär Island and Ämmäkoski: The history of Kämär dates back to the distant past, as Varkaus' difficult rapids naturally became stopping and supply points. The rapids were fishable, and in the 1500s the area became home to the Crown Fishery under Olavinlinna Castle. Salmon were stocked in the rapids and special salmon-farming ponds were built. Over the years, Kämäri has developed into a popular sports and recreation area. In addition to a nature trail, the area has a swimming beach, a sandpit, an artificial ice rink and two ice rinks. Ice hockey, hockey and baseball are played on the rink.
Distances by car
Helsinki 317 km (3.5 hours)
Turku 420 km (4.5 hours)
Kuopio 78 km ( 1 hour)
Jyväskylä 127 km (1.5 hours)
Oulu 363 km (just over 4 hours)
Nearest airport Kuopio Rissala, well connected by bus and train
Art residency residents
Heikki Lonka, Tuusula Finland - architect and writer
Monica Doin, Rio de Janeiro Brazil - visual artist, photographer
Ipi Kärki, Helsinki, Finland - painter
