About VArt
An international art center and artist residency in Värtsilä, North Karelia, Finland.
VArt brings together an artist residency, production facilities, educational initiatives and a growing international community.
Located in the rural landscape of North Karelia, close to forests, lakes and the Finnish–Russian border, VArt offers artists time, space and a supportive environment for focused work, research, experimentation and material-based artistic practice.
VArt is a place where artistic practice, production, learning and community come together.
From solidarity to a growing international art center.
The story of VArt began in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In response to the war, Finnish textile artist and cultural practitioner Karoliina Arvilommi opened an artist residency in Värtsilä to support Ukrainian artists who had been forced to leave their homes and artistic communities. What began as an act of solidarity soon became part of a wider network of support for displaced artists.
The residency joined the Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (USRP), coordinated by HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme together with a network of Finnish arts organisations and residency centres. Through this programme, Ukrainian artists were offered safe working conditions, professional opportunities and the possibility to continue their creative practice despite the disruption caused by war.
It was through USRP that Kateryna and Serhii Shaulis arrived in Värtsilä. Serhii became one of the first Ukrainian artists in residence, and over time the family developed a deep connection to the place, its people and its creative community.
An equally important part of this story is the support of the local community of Värtsilä and the municipality of Tohmajärvi. From the very beginning, local residents offered practical help, shared knowledge, provided materials, introduced professional networks and welcomed newcomers with remarkable generosity.
This spirit of openness, trust and mutual support became one of the foundations on which VArt would later grow.
Over the following years, a diverse international community of artists, curators, researchers, craftspeople and cultural practitioners formed around the residency. When Karoliina Arvilommi entrusted the management of the residency to Kateryna Shaulis, an opportunity emerged to expand its vision and transform it into something larger than a residency alone.
From this process, VArt was born.
Today, VArt is an international art center in North Karelia that brings together an artist residency, production facilities, educational initiatives and a growing international community.
VArt continues to build on the values from which it emerged: solidarity, cooperation, creative freedom and the conviction that meaningful cultural initiatives grow through communities working together.
To create a place where art can be made, shared and experienced without unnecessary barriers.
Our mission is to create a place where art can be made, shared and experienced without unnecessary barriers.
We support artists and cultural practitioners by providing space for focused work, access to production facilities and opportunities for international collaboration.
We encourage experimentation, knowledge sharing and dialogue between contemporary artistic practices, traditional crafts and local cultural heritage.
At VArt, we see art not only as a form of individual expression but also as a way of building community, strengthening cultural connections and responding to the challenges of our time.
By connecting artists, local residents, partner organisations and international networks, we strive to create a living cultural environment where creativity, solidarity and cooperation can flourish.
More than an artist residency.
VArt is more than an artist residency.
It is a place where artistic practice, production, learning and community come together. Located in the rural landscape of North Karelia, VArt combines the freedom of a residency with access to workshops, professional networks and a growing international community.
Our approach is rooted in making, collaboration and long-term relationships. We believe that meaningful artistic work grows through time, shared knowledge and direct engagement with materials, people and place.
Art, Residency and Production in One Place
VArt combines an artist residency with production facilities and a broader cultural programme, allowing artists not only to develop ideas but also to realise them.
A Community Built Through Collaboration
VArt emerged through collaboration between artists, local residents, cultural organisations and international partners.
Rooted in North Karelia
The forests, lakes and rural landscapes surrounding Värtsilä are not simply a backdrop but an important part of the experience.
Artist-Run and Artist-Led
VArt is developed by artists and cultural practitioners who understand the realities of creative work.
From Solidarity to Sustainability
The origins of VArt lie in efforts to support Ukrainian artists displaced by war, and those foundations of solidarity, openness and mutual support remain central to our work.
A Place to Stay, Work and Connect
VArt offers an opportunity to become part of a community where artists, curators, researchers, craftspeople and local residents meet, share knowledge and build lasting connections.
Values that shape VArt.
Creative Freedom
We support independent artistic practice and respect the diversity of ideas, voices and creative approaches. We believe that meaningful work emerges when artists are given the freedom to explore, experiment and take risks.
Community and Solidarity
VArt was born from acts of solidarity and mutual support. We value collaboration, generosity and the relationships that grow when people share knowledge, experiences and resources.
International Dialogue
We believe that art creates meaningful connections across cultures, languages and borders. Through international exchange, we encourage learning, understanding and long-term collaboration.
Making and Material Knowledge
We value craftsmanship, making and hands-on experience. Whether working with clay, metal, textiles, wood or digital technologies, we believe that knowledge grows through practice and engagement with materials.
Nature and Place
The forests, lakes and landscapes of North Karelia are an important part of our environment and identity. We encourage attentive relationships with place, nature and the rhythms of the surrounding world.
Openness and Learning
We see VArt as a place of continuous learning. We encourage curiosity, knowledge sharing and the exchange of skills between artists, local communities and cultural professionals.