Anniversary Exhibition Free 90 | HAM
Detail from Elga Sesemann’s work Self-Portrait with Yellow Pot, 1943. Photo: HAM/Hanna Kukorelli
Hämärä II – Group Exhibition by Students of the Free Art School
Exhibiting artists: Emma Grönqvist, Taina Hakala, Minna Harri, Aino Kalliosaari, Eero Koistinen, Tuomas Korhonen, Maria Kuisma, Eleonoora Lehvonen, Dante Linsén, Milka Mansikka, Tanja Pohjola, Sanna Pöysä, Elina Rajala, and Milla Tarpio. Open 12–17 August, daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, and on Sunday 17 A...Student Stories
Minna Salomaa:
“I’m fascinated by the idea of a deliberate mistake.”
Minna Salomaa, Will-o’-the-Wisps, 2024, 60 x 70 cm, oil on canvas
Raana Lehtinen Selected as Recipient of the Aïda Alliman Grant 2025
The 2025 Aïda Alliman Grant has been awarded to painter Raana Lehtinen. Lehtinen graduated from the Free Art School in 2019. Raana Lehtinen shares thoughts on her current work and the grant.What are you currently working on in painting? I recently completed my postgraduate studies at the Academy o...Scenes from the Opening of Vapaa '25
The Free Art School’s annual graduation exhibition opened on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Puristamo, Cable Factory. This year, twelve painters graduated from the school. Warm thanks to everyone who joined us for the opening! We would like to thank Olvi and Vindirekti for providing the refreshments, and e...Anita Snellman Foundation Awards Grants to Four Graduating Painters from the Free Art School
The Anita Snellman Foundation, which supports art education, appreciation, and engagement, has awarded grants to graduating painters from the Free Art School. This year, €2,000 grants were awarded to Pinja Kanon, Marika Maijala, Eevi Oittinen, and Maria Rasinkangas, all of whom graduated from the Fr...You can now register for the open art courses for autumn 2025
The Free Art School’s open art courses will start again this autumn. This season, a total of three creative courses will be offered. The Free Art School is a private institution founded in 1935, specializing in painting and located at the Cable Factory in Helsinki. In addition to our painting degree...Partnership Project with Icelandic Art School Completed – Erasmus+ Activities Continue
The EU-funded project created a model for close collaboration between two painting schools and launched the development of a network for European painting schools. The two-year pilot project included teacher exchanges between Finland and Iceland, study trips from Helsinki to Reykjavík and vice versa...90 Years of Painting Education – A Book on the History and Pedagogy of the Free Art School
The Free Art School celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, a commemorative book is being published in collaboration with HAM Helsinki Art Museum and publishing house Parvs. The richly illustrated volume highlights the school’s diverse history and its unique pedagogical app...
Cabinet of Curiosities, detail from installation. Paper, porcelain clay, glass jars, display cabinet, 2019–2020. Photo: Juho Haavisto