Spike Island

We have some exciting news!

Oksasenkatu, the artists group that Sam West met in Helsinki are offering a studio holder from Top Floor a free residency space between the dates of 8^th – 23^rd September.

The residency space is based on the historical fortress island of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, a Unesco World Heritage site.

http://www.hiap.fi/index.php?page=901

This is short notice, but it’s because the London based artist who is programmed into that space in September can only use it for one week. Oksasenkatu then very kindly have offered the space to us for the rest of September.

There is an apartment in this space and so the Top Floor Studio holder would only need to pay for their flights and living expenses.

What a fantastic opportunity!

The aims and aspirations of Sam West are not simply dreams after all …

Sam West feeds back

Last month Sam West held an informal gathering at Top Floor Studios, where we shared the findings of our research trip to Helsinki and Tallinn to all Top Floor Studio members.

Accompanied by drinks and plentiful foods (yum!) we discussed the viability of the studio exchange programme, and talked artists through the A_N blog, introducing some of the key people and artist groups who we’d met on our journey.

The evening was a resounding success – with much lively discussion and debate – with ideas and suggestions from all quarters of how we can take this artist-led exchange forward.

We’re hoping that an artist from Top Floor Studios will be able spend time in Finland over the next few months – ensuring this artist-led exchange programme can develop from strength to strength.