WHAT

WHAT

Searching through the generations of mementos, photographs, jars of old jam and rotting clothes, when we bought the mill in 1996, we came across the plans for the last major architectural renovation in 1926. In beautiful script was written at the bottom: "UMĚLECKÝ MLÝN", which can mean several things in translation. "Umělec in Czech means "artist", "uměly" can mean plastic, today, or more generally: "man-made".  A literal translation would be "Art Mill". In those days it was referring to the latest technology of the time in modernizing mills: the turbine, which along with the incredible industrialization taking place around the world in the early 20th century, had just replaced the centuries old water wheel.  

The name of the place inspired what we would do here: use the power of the land, the water and even human technology to engender more creative and sustainable human problem-solvers.

Our NGO Art Dialogue supports the programs and farm at ArtMill, fostering creativity in the individual and to that end, sustainability of the planet. In this physically beautiful spot on earth, we bring people together thus expanding the possibilities to change things exponentially. ArtMill is about civil society as much as art, because in developing our creative (right side) brains, we are nurturing problem solving techniques needed in the 21st century.

From our summer camp for children, to international outreach in hazardous chemicals and wastes with the United Nations Safe Planet Campaign, we seek to work locally, nationally, and globally. The planet's resources may be finite but human potential is infinite. Working mainly with youth, ArtMill churns out visual ideas that may act as seeds for healthy and safe futures at home and at large. Teaching English to local Czechs is basic at ArtMill, something we have done since 2004 and in turn we send Czech and international art into the world, bridging cultural and political boundaries in an effort to increase dialogue about our shared planet and it's future. The overriding goal of all our efforts is to empower and harness the human creative potential wherever we go.