The Rural School of Arts
hand, land & heart
We are looking to create a unique arts school in a changing world.
A place to cultivate highly skilled hands and vital minds.
A place for artists, leaders, thinkers and the curious who seek authenticity, individuality and meaningful experiences.
A place nestled within 24 hectares of wildland currently a diverse habitat and home to rare wildlife. Here we will build elemental guest houses and dreaming houses, amongst the rocks and streams.
A place to explore the question
What if things were made for the purpose of beauty, connection and elevation?
Our teachings will include living crafts—woodwork, metalwork, textiles and ceramics—image crafts—cinema, moving image and photography—and ecological poetics, intuitive architecture, intergenerational teaching and care. Through these teachings, all those who pass through the land will become part of its legacy. Our unique approach will root these teachings back to the land and local community embodying a circular model of being from soil to soul. All who visit the Rural School of Arts will be nourished by ingredients that are grown on the land and neighbouring small organic farm partnerships.
Story of the School
Teaching and cultural programme
Our growing teaching community
Fourthland, artists Isik and Eva offer teachings and experiences that connect with myth, kinship and collaboration with more than human realms. Their work is created through a deep exploration of community collaboration and ancestry.The Rural School of Arts will become a nest for this work.
Nancy Fuller, will bring wild clay ceramics to the School as part of the living crafts programme. After an MA in History of Art and Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Nancy perfected the complex ancient art of wood-firing creating special pieces that are both sacred and functional.
Chico’s has worked as co-founder of initiatives and cooperatives in the regenerative-agriculture movement in Portugal. His practice embodies integrity, ecological wisdom, and collective purpose. Years of pilgrimage around the world through diverse landscapes, ecosystems and culture have enriched his understanding of land-based projects. Chico gives attention to the holistic, reciprocity of community life, permaculture, and holistic design.
Cécile is a film director. She strives to make cinema that evokes the spiritual dimension of our human search for meaning and purpose. Her first feature film Mother Vera won The Grierson Award for best documentary at the BFI London Film Festival and best film at Festival Dei Popoli. Cécile is BAFTA connect member and a Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program Grantee 2020.
Alberto Balazs is a cinematographer working at the intersection of fiction and documentary. His work brings together stories of migration, memory, ancestral wisdom and syncretic cultures. Screened and awarded internationally at Festivals such as Sundance, Venice Biennale, Rotterdam.
Alejandro T Tarraf is a director, producer and scriptwriter, working with fiction and documentary. His work, portraying the mystic experience of human and nature, has been screened and awarded internationally at IFF Rotterdam, Bafici, Ficunam, AFI Fest, Taipei golden horse, Institute of contemporary Arts - London, amongst others.