Location: Sweden
http://www.wanas.se/Book Now
Wanås offers a combination of art, nature and history. Since 1987, it has presented contemporary international art with a focus on site-specific installations. Wanås consists of a medieval castle, an organic farm, an art gallery, and a sculpture park.
The Wanås Estate consists of a medieval castle, an organic farm, a sculpture park, an Art Gallery, and a café.
Wanås Konst (Wanås Art) is run by The Wanås Foundation, a non-profit art foundation located in the south of Sweden. The Foundation has been running since 1987 focusing on Swedish and international contemporary art with a focus on sculpture and new produced site-specific installations is presented at Wanås. The Foundation’s permanent art collection compromises nearly 50 works.
Wanås Manor, dates back to the late 15th century and has one of the most fascinating histories of all of Skåne’s stately homes. Its geographical location left Wanås vulnerable during the Swedish-Danish wars. Drawings from 1680 show the manor house more or less as it appears today. During the Snapphane wars Wanås was the centre for the Danish resistance and their enemies were hung from the 500 year old oak that still stands in the park. The old cowsheds and stables were built by Betty Jennings between 1756 and 1760. The castle is today a private home. The park is open to the public.
At Wanås past meets present. Wanås is highly conscious of its the relation to nature and every area of the operation has a strong environmental profile. Milk has been produced at Wanås since the 18th century. The milk from the farm is certified for organic production; climate certified and has traceable origin. Wanås has a location that provides favourable conditions for both animal husbandry and forestry. The estate’s forests are FSC certified.
Wanås is the perfect place for art, history, and nature lovers alike. It is a portal to a time past with hints of modernity seen through its art fixtures all brought together in a breathtaking natural setting.
Wanås is truly committed to conservation and is regarded as one of the European Union’s Wildlife Estates. True to this label, Wanås has, for over a century, been running its estate according to sustainability principles informed by its belief that running a successful business goes hand in hand with a keen sense for environmental stewardship. Compounded by the fact that it is a family business, ensuring the preservation of its natural surroundings for posterity is at the heart of its philosophy.
Since its inception, Wanås has been keen to comply with both national and international standards of best practice in environmental sustainability. Since 1999, the forests on its premises have been certified by both the Swedish Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Promoting Sustainable Forest Management (PEFC) bodies. Its organic farm is also certified and controlled under the KRAV, a body that develops organic standards and is a recognised label in Sweden for sustainably and organically grown farm produce.
Habitat restoration also forms a key part of the conservation actives at Wanås. This is centred on the restoration of natural lakes in the area which gradually disappeared as a result of the draining programmes initiated in the area in the early 1930’s. Over the last 20 years, Wanås has successfully set up 15 ponds for wildlife and conservation purposes thus providing favourable conditions for the key species on its conservation list - Waterfowls, Partridge and Pheasant – to thrive. To ensure a healthy diversity in plant species, Wanås strictly prohibits monoculture of spruce and pine, and aims to attain a 20% cover of broadleaved tree species in the forest it manages.
Never tiring of strengthening its conservation efforts, The Wanås Foundation joined the Svanenklubben – the environmental certification available to Swedish cultural institutions - in 2009. As a member, The Wanås Foundation commits to ecologically sustainable purchasing habits as well as the to the continual environmental education for its staff and guests, the latter who receive discounted entrance fees for taking such green actions as arriving at Wanås via public means.
The Wanås Castle, first owned by Squire Eskild Aagesen (around 1440), has one of the most fascinating histories of all of Skåne’s stately homes. It was the centre of the Danish resistance during the Snapphane wars. In order to preserve this rich history, Wanås continually restores the historical buildings on its premises and takes great care to maintain their appearance according to ancient drawings. It promotes the local history and culture of the area by providing the public access to these historical sites (stables and barns from the 18th and 19th century) that contain exhibitions, meeting rooms, a shop, and a café. One of the stables contains an educational historical exhibition about the Castles and the Estate.
As a contemporary arts organisation, Wanås provides the perfect platform for intercultural exchange as it attracts around 70,000 visitors annually. The Wanås Foundation regularly hosts exhibitions with regional artists and also works with neighbouring schools and invites local children, teenagers, and teachers to develop and participate in workshops at Wanås. It further provides an avenue for local artisans to sell their wares through its shop which it stocks mainly with local products (designs, handicraft, art, clothes, toys, food etc).
The major commercial activities at Wanås include the production of organic and climate certified milk, forestry, controlled hunting as well as organic meat production. The Wanås Foundation is a non-profit organization but supplements donor support through the sale of books and art works, charging admission fees, guided tours and conferences.
What it earns on the commercial side, it ploughs back to its many community development, conservation and cultural initiatives. It also provides entrepreneurial opportunities for local communities through its shop where it gives local farmers and artisans the opportunity to sell their sustainable range of products.
