Latest News

A DVD of music, sound and visual art from 'The Spirit of Tarset' available now
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VARC's Fund supporting Local Projects; next deadline for applications 30th April 2008
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Norway Day, held in Tarset Village Hall on 8th March, was a great day with workshops, displays, Norwegian food and music
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Open Studio Afternoon and Print and book-making workshop Day, 5th and 6th April
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Click here for pdf of the most recent newsletter with latest news and details of all forthcoming events.

Welcome to VARC

Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC) funds and manages an artists’ residency programme at Highgreen, Tarset in remote north Northumberland.  It has also initiated and managed special projects that take place alongside the residency.

Our aims are to:

• Promote the understanding and enjoyment of visual arts in rural communities through contact with an artist in residence, through creative workshops and through mounting exhibitions in the area.

• provide both financial assistance and a unique opportunity to an artist wishing to develop his or her practice by working and living in the countryside in the heart of a rural community.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Final Sale, Bellingham Mart, 1 October 2004, Kate Bellis 2. Babel, Susan Grant, battery shed, Highgreen, 2005 3. Open Studio Afternoon, Highgreen 4. Artist Sally Matthews and shepherdess Helen Brown take a break, 2005 5. Drawing Workshop, Highgreen, 2005 6. Installation in barn at Highgreen, Nigel Morgan, 2004

Highgreen

Highgreen Manor is the home of William and Cynthia Morrison-Bell who host residential art, yoga and writing courses there through Highgreen Arts.  Bloodaxe Books the renowned poetry publishers have their office in a converted outbuilding opposite the artist’s studio at Highgreen.

Newsletter

Click here to download our current newsletter (PDF)

How to find us