Why here? Why now?
The origins of Singla trace back to the mid-1800s
Learn about what led us to this remote place and the project unfolding.
Arnøya
The island
Located above the arctic circle at 70 degrees North, the island of Arnøya is a striking place of steep mountainsides tumbling into deep fjords and facing out towards the stormy North Sea. The daylight stays for almost 3 months each summer before fading through the long pinks and deep blues of twilight into the mørktid. It is the summer grazing ground for Sami reindeer herds, the winter playground of orca whales, and a nesting spot for clouds of arctic terns and other seabirds. A handful of tiny villages hold the islands 300 residents and most of civilization is a ferry ride away in the city of Tromsø or the nearby island community of Skjervøy.
We are working hard to preserve our historic buildings and their treasure trove of tools and artifacts from years gone by, while also sharing the (in some ways) simpler life of those times. We have limited water, electricity, and kitchen facilities that force us and our guests to be conscious and conserve, slowing down the pace of life for a while.
Singla
The Place
First homesteaded in the mid-1800s the buildings at Singla include a small lighthouse, boathouse, barn, and main house, plus a scattering of outbuildings. They are the only structures on the island to have been spared from destruction during WWII. These buildings still hold the treasures of 150 years of farming and fishing life on a northern island, and we are dedicated to preserving these pieces in collaboration with local historians, and bringing renewed life and vitality to the spaces. To do this entails a solid restoration effort and modifications of the building interiors to support multiple uses throughout the year.
Meet Us
Hannah Viano and Joe Talbert
We are an artist (Hannah) and a field engineer (Joe), who both share a background in education and a love of the outdoors. As avid skiers, sailors, and mountaineers we were drawn to the region for its endless open terrain and coastline as well as the Norwegian principal of “every man’s right to roam”. We hope to bring together the local and international community to share ideas and inspirations that help educate and preserve our world. Our past experiences working with other scientists and artists led us to wish for more collaboration between creative and data-driven fields.
To see Hannahs’ work and projects that mix public art with education and natural history find her here. To read about Joe and his work with the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab and oceanographers studying the changing climate and wave energy click here.
Ely Talbert
Ely Talbert is our up and coming Singla host and guide. He was first dragged to the arctic at age 8 for a cross-country ski trip, and a couple years later was enrolled in Norwegian public school in the tiny island village of Henningsvaer. He has been the seasonal star of ballbingen ever since and is still the most fluent Norwegian speaker in the family.
“We need artists and poets and dancers to help tell the important stories of our time.”
Our Mission
To support visitors in their creative or research endeavors by sharing all that we can of the environment, culture, and wonders of this part of the world. Maybe that is as simple as a hot meal each night so you can dive more completely into your project, or extra hands for a 24 hour photographic process, or help choosing the best location for the scene that you have in mind. We are creative thinkers who jump at the challenge of helping to figure out complicated logistics in a wild and ever-changing landscape.
For our guests, the sentiment is the same: to create a space that is supportive of connection, exploration, and also the recharging of batteries, through kind and cosy details. We strive to make your time at Singla an enduring memory and an embodied connection to the place.
