Art Residency "Nikel. Polar Night: An Artist's Travel Diary Through the Northern Residency".

Art Residency "Nikel. Polar Night: An Artist's Travel Diary Through the Northern Residency".
 

Today, I returned from the "Nikel. Polar Night" art residency, brimming with fresh ideas, vivid impressions, and new connections.

That’s how our residency unfolded. Here’s what I’ll tell you: the most important part is the people. This residency gathered the most wonderful participants, along with incredibly responsive locals.
 

Day 1: Joyful Introductions in Nikel

Our first day in Nikel kicked off with warm introductions. We met fellow participants and settled into a hotel next to the fire station, complete with its inviting watchtower and a park of decommissioned equipment from the nickel mining and processing plant—a stark reminder of the region’s industrial heartbeat and a lesson for our kids: machines have their purpose, but art has its soul. Nikel is a town where urban lines blur with nature. From day one, we dove into the history of the Pechenga District, feeling how this northern land speaks to artists.
 

Day 2: Immersed in Pechenga’s History

The second day was packed with deep dives into the Pechenga Okrug’s history, including our host town of Nikel. Rain tried to dampen our spirits, but we pressed on with a city stroll and explorations of the surroundings. The lakeshore of Kuetsyarvi, on the far side where Norway’s border begins, capped the day in striking beauty. The residency’s vibe felt like a city biography unfolding before our eyes—each brushstroke and shadow underscoring that a northern residency is a unique creative realm.
 

Day 3: Studio Work Amid Changing Skies

Despite the weather on day three, we made time in the studio. My subject was the unfolding view from the window: the nickel plant, slowly vanishing step by step from the hilltop ridge. In a break, we filmed for a regional channel, weaving the residency’s story into the local narrative. Media spots in northern residencies and Murmansk Region art projects are gold for residents’ portfolios. Gusty winds added drama, but the evening brought calm and a mesmerising sunset. We conquered slag dunes, explored factory ruins, and marvelled at the twilight glow.
 

Day 4: Lectures and Serene Explorations

After such intensity, day four was refreshingly measured: lectures on the region’s indigenous peoples, walks through new Nikel spots, and views that wrapped our souls in warmth and beauty, igniting new works. I experimented with fresh angles and techniques, drawing from locals’ tales.
 

Day 5: Curiosity Unleashed

On day five, my curiosity won out. Rain was no deterrent: we spent part of the day in the studio, then toured the fire station and climbed the tower to hear the nickel plant’s history. Encounters with residents and their heartfelt reactions were a huge boost for every artist. A friendly fox peeking in became the symbol of northern hospitality.
 

Day 6 (Saturday): A Mix of Sun and Showers

Saturday blended sun and rain—cloudy mornings yielding to bright afternoons. A nature walk and light project work struck a perfect balance. Tomorrow promised fresh inspiration and nearby waterfalls.

Day 7 (Sunday): Waterfalls and Wild Berries

Sunday dawned sunny, with a hike to the Shuoniyoki River waterfall—a vibrant reminder that the North is a powerhouse of energy and ideas. We relaxed, gathered impressions, picked blueberries, and savoured the vast expanses. Evening brought new tasks and quick project shoots.
 

Week 2, Day 8 (Monday): Chaotic Yet Productive

The second week started with a hectic Monday, but we joyfully dedicated it to the project’s second phase. A pre-bedtime hill walk reminded us: the North is endless shifts between calm and motion, silence and urban hum.
 

Day 9: "Pour, Pour—Don’t Hold Back"

Day nine embodied a song lyric: “Pour, pour—don’t hold back.” It was a productive surge, advancing the second project. Routine tasks intertwined with new ideas, each stroke a conversation with northern nature.
 

Day 10: Escaping the Rain at Pasvik Museum

To break the rainy spell on day ten, we visited the Pasvik Nature Reserve Museum. Its history and landscapes sparked new routes and plans. I realised: without these magnetic spots and exploration opportunities, the residency project wouldn’t shine.
 

Day 11: Emotional Release on Middle Island

Day eleven was pure emotional recharge: Middle Island, rising 140 meters, where we climbed to a site of one of WWII’s fiercest battles—shell casings still litter the ground as echoes of the past. Today, it’s a tourist draw with stunning shoreline and sea views. Descending to a delicious lunch, we then reached the sea for a low-tide beach walk—the vista unfolding like a masterpiece.
 

Final Day: Exhibition Mounting and Farewell Festivities

The day before the exhibition and residency closed was intense and endless. As night fell, we artists mounted the show—exhausting, but progress flowed. Paintings came alive; text and voice-overs added depth. The finale loomed: home in days. Despite fatigue, we anticipated the gastro-fest and star-studded concert, turning "Nikel. Polar Night" into a regional cultural highlight.
 

The opening was a hit, even with last-minute tweaks that morning! Crowds poured in with rave reviews; TV crews arrived. Afterwards, we dove into the gastro-fest: savouring regional cuisine, watching shows, and grooving to Russian stars’ concert.

Departure: Foggy Farewell

Morning departure greeted us with thick fog. And just like that, I’m home. This residency gifted me oceans of bright impressions and emotions.