For over six months a progressive rural Art Centre in Slovenia has been suffering illegal actions and disruptions to its activities by the local municipality that helped establish it. Attacks and slanderous allegations are being made because the Municipality of Moravske Toplice finds Art Centre's projects socially and/or culturally controversial. Art Centre remains firm in its defense that it will continue to support the development of artistic endevours of both Slovene and international artists, who use the space of the Art Centre to explore and expand their crafts and art projects. These developments can be critical of societal norms or challenging to the status quo, or expand on alternatives for living more responsibly and sustainably in our world. For example, Helen Terry one young European Voluntary Service (EVS) volunteer developed her project at Art Centre, designing clothing and fashion items out of recycled material. For some reason the Art Centre is experiencing a backlash of negative publicity and reprimands from the municipality, despite their good efforts in developing and supporting the art community in Slovenia and young people through the European Union's Youth Programme.

The most recent action was an eviction from their Art Centre from their home and work space on November 30th. This leaves Art Centre Staff and 2 young volunteers (there under European funding programs) homeless.

They are currently holding protests and trying to get possession of their space back.

Art Centre is a long-time network partner of EYFA's and we are currently working on ways to support them. There will be more info posted soon about the eviction and more details available about events leading up to the eviction. Please check back here with updates and instructions of how you can help.

Links:

Art Centre Webpage

News about eviction (in Slovene)

This Way Is Up - Recycling Project Initiated at Art Centre