Laguna Foundation and the Bay Collective are renovating an old school, nestled in the serene enclave of Kopice. We're on a mission to transform the old Prussian building into a vibrant hub for artists, musicians, and visionaries.
It will welcome projects of diverse disciplines, with a particular emphasis on sound, music, visual arts, dance, theater, and literary endeavors.
Let's breathe new life into a historic space while nurturing a dynamic ecosystem of creativity and collaboration.
Are you a future farmer, radio host, researcher, nature enthusiast, specialist in alternative economics, dancer, musician, artist? Perhaps you're an investor or visionary eager to contribute to our project? We also work for equality in creation and participation in culture, thus we promote bias-free theory, art and practice.
We invite you to join us in shaping the vision for our community space!
Following its renovation, the school will transform into a creative hub, welcoming artists, musicians, cultural theorists, and esteemed scientists from around the globe. With designated areas for individual work, music and theatre rehearsals, workshops, presentations, and concerts, the building will cater to a diverse range of creative pursuits. Set amidst its picturesque garden, the School will additionally serve as a venue for intimate festivals, summer schools, and exclusive gatherings of cultural organisations. Nevertheless, the focal point of our mission resides in the cultivation of our artist residency program. The announcement of this transformation has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the local residents, community members, as well as the unwavering support of the mayor and village council.
Kopice, situated by the Szczecin Lagoon, was once a thriving village with schools, a lodge, mill, and windmill. After World War II, it suffered significant destruction. Today, it retains its serene ambiance, offering a small harbour, a picturesque cemetery, expansive dunes, a pine forest leading to a beautiful beach, and a nearby bird sanctuary with wild horses. Explore the area's charm along numerous cycling routes, boasting bridges, ruins, Slavic settlements, and towering natural monuments.
With a commitment to local engagement and global impact, Laguna Foundation celebrates diversity as the bedrock of its artistic pursuit. Rooted in the promotion of experimental music and contemporary art, it nurtures collaborative ventures that transcend mere commercialism. Central to its artistic mission is the unwavering support provided to artists, encouraging cross-cultural dialogue and fostering creative partnerships within the West Pomeranian Region and internationally.
How to join us: The Bay Collective Welcomes You to Dive into Artistic Innovation!
We offer an exclusive chance to join our growing artistic community. By participating in the renovation efforts or contributing to the development of the school's programs, all members actively shape the NOWA SZKOŁA creative landscape. As a cooperative venture, individuals have the opportunity to purchase shares, granting access to various facilities within the building such as flats, guest rooms, workshops, and recording studios. Additionally, members can engage in media projects and research initiatives on behalf of the collective, establishing new projects.
(Legal documents are currently in preparation to formalise these arrangements)
The Nowa Szkoła's renovation will be conducted in sustainable phases, prioritizing environmentally friendly practices to minimize energy consumption and waste. Embracing sustainability as a core principle, our efforts aim to reduce our ecological footprint while revitalizing the space. Through a commitment to green initiatives, we strive to create a model of responsible stewardship for future generations.
We offer flexible options, which you can adapt to the different needs of each project.
Location: Registered in Szczecin
Mission: To promote contemporary art and experimental music, and facilitate an international artist exchange network in the West Pomerania region.
Activities: Organizing festivals, concerts, performances, shows, conferences, and publishing initiatives.
Mode of Operation: Public programming, fundraising within Poland, and collaboration with local cultural institutions for support. Additionally, seeking European funds and sponsors.
Support by: Accepting donations.
Benefits for Supporters: Opportunities for cooperation as a sponsor, program partner, special event guest, or guest resident.
For further information and support, please contact Laguna Foundation at the provided address.
Location: Registered in Berlin
Mission: Supporting a network of artist residencies and creating living and studio spaces for artists.
Activities: Offering art residencies, creative stays, conferences, conventions, and meetings.
Mode of Operation: Bringing the community together, both locally and internationally, by organizing cooperative member collaborations and attracting sponsors.
Support by: Purchasing shares in the cooperative.
Benefits for Supporters: Opportunities for creative residencies, involvement in shaping the school's program, and access to economic facilities and media/research potential for author projects.
For further information and support, please contact zorka.wollny@gmail.com.
Assembling a Creative Collective
Uniting Artists, Music Curators, Arts Event Organizers, and Activists to foster connections and collaborations with like-minded groups that align with our creative vision. The project emphasises Polish-German collaboration, reflecting the rich history of the School and its surroundings. This partnership extends to the architectural teams of Bia Studio Hirschmüller Schindele Architects, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Board of Laguna Fondation:
Zorka Wollny (zorkawollny.net) a visual artist and composer, collaborates closely with Łukasz Jastrubczak, an interdisciplinary artist, and filmmaker Małgorzata Mazur, who co-directs Centrum Centrum in Szczecin (http://centrumcentrum.xyz/).
Zorka Wollny and in Łukasz Jastrubczak, both educators at the Academy of Fine Arts Szczecin, are renowned for their initiatives such as the "Young Wolves" Art Festival and the "Duos Festival" in Kilifi, Kenya (https://tpaae.eu/).
Zorka Wollny collaborates with TRAFO Center for Contemporary Art in Szczecin curating their sound art programme (https://tekhne).
Ewa Majewska - who will help shaping the curatorial vision of Nowa Szkoła, is the feminist theorist and activist, sometimes also a friendly curator/art critic. (https://ewa-majewska)
Members of the Bay Collective Cooperative:
Harald Schindele and Markus Hirschmüller founders of HS Architekten - a Berlin based architectural practice. The office develops places for future-oriented living communities and, with its projects in the field of circular and life-serving construction, has an pioneering role in questions of socio-ecological transformation of architecture and the building industry. The projects have won various awards for pioneering building projects in the areas of redensification and revitalisation of existing building structures. (http://www.hsarchitekten.com)
Marthe Van Dessel (BolwerK) is an Antwerp-based activist and performer; exploring software and hardware based thinking as strategies for activism. She creates interfaces, devices, & protocols to investigate questions around the commons and collective identities.http://www.ooooo.be/
Zuri Maria Daiß is a cultural creator and organiser in the fields of music & art, active both in Berlin and internationally.
Local heroes:
Tomasz Trela, a Kopice native from a Polish-German family, spearheads local activism and entrepreneurship. Agnieszka Domagała, mayer of Kopice, champion sustainable development and community engagement.
Would you like to get involved?
contact us at zorka.wollny@gmail.com.