90 Years of the Free Art School

The Free Art School, originally named Fria Målarskolan, was founded in late 1934 at the initiative of Maire Gullichsen. The school began operating in January 1935 in Eteläranta in Helsinki. Gullichsen’s mission was to offer an alternative to Finland’s academic art education. In 2025, the Free Art School continues to fulfil that mission.

Anniversary Programme

April 3, 2025 – Open House Day

We welcome everyone interested in discovering the Free Art School – as well as those already familiar with it: alumni and teachers from across the decades. We’ll answer questions, showcase the school and its facilities, and offer selected publications and support products at special prices.

 

April 24, 2025 – Book Release: Teaching Painting for 90 Years

A book on the history and pedagogy of the Free Art School will be published in conjunction with the opening of the anniversary exhibition at HAM Helsinki Art Museum. Contributors include Juha-Heikki Tihinen, Magnus Quaife, Riikka Stewen, Satu Metsola, and Juhani Pallasmaa.

 

April 25, 2025 – January 4, 2026 – Vapaa 90 Anniversary Exhibition at HAM

Vapaa 90 exhibition explores the 90-year history of the Free Art School and its significance in the development of Finnish painting and modernism. The aim of the loosely chronological presentation is to identify the red – or more accurately, multicoloured – thread: the spirit of “Vapaa” that connects and unifies all nine decades.

 

May 2, 2025 – Opening of the Vapaa ’25 Graduation Exhibition

Join us for the exhibition opening on Friday, May 2, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Cable Factory, Puristamo, Tallberginkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki.
Click here for directions.

 

May 3–18, 2025 – Vapaa ’25 Graduation Exhibition

This May, 12 painters will graduate from the Free Art School – the only institution in Finland dedicated solely to painting:
Moona Aho, Eino Aitamurto, Albert Eronen, Vappu Holma, Pinja Kanon, Alex Keyriläinen, Marika Maijala, Eevi Oittinen, Maria Rasinkangas, Aaron Sirainen, Aino Suikkanen, and Mirja Väyrynen.

 

October 17, 2025 – Alumni Event

An event organised by alumni of the Free Art School, open to all former students.

 

Dates to Be Confirmed:

  • Autumn semester, Friday afternoons: Public lectures at HAM Helsinki Art Museum (included with museum admission)
  • Professional seminar focused on painting, held in Helsinki
  • Partners
  • Related News
    News

    Tunnelmia Vapaa '25 -avajaisista

    Vapaan Taidekoulun vuotuinen lopputyönäyttely aukesi Kaapelitehtaan Puristamossa perjantaina 2.5.2025. Koulusta valmistui 12 taidemaalaria.Lämmin kiitos kaikille avajaisvieraille!Avajaistarjoiluista kiitämme Olvia ja Vindirektiä. Kiitos näyttelyn tukemisesta sponsoreillemme Artek, Tempera, Cover Sto...
    News

    Vapaa '25 Showcases 12 Recent Graduates in Painting

    Press Release, March 2025This May, twelve painters will graduate from the Free Art School, Finland’s only institution solely dedicated to painting. Their graduation works will be showcased in the Vapaa '25 exhibition at Puristamo, Cable Factory in Helsinki, from May 3 to May 18, 2025.The opening rec...
    News

    Milla Tarpio - Punaisen auringon alla, Galleria Vaagassa 29.4. alkaen

    Milla Tarpion näyttely Punaisen auringon alla Galleria Vaagassa.Näyttelyn avajaisia vietetään ti 29.4. klo 17-19 ja näyttely on auki 29.4.-18.5. Tarpio opiskelee kolmatta vuosikurssia. Laaksossa tapahtuu jotain outoa.Varjot ovat muuttuneet smaragdinvihreiksi. Sudenkorennot kymmenkertaistuneet kooss...
    News

    Raana Lehtinen valittiin Aïda Alliman -apurahan 2025 saajaksi

    Vuoden 2025 Aïda Alliman -apuraha on myönnetty taidemaalari Raana Lehtiselle. Lehtinen valmistui Vapaasta Taidekoulusta vuonna 2019. Raana Lehtinen kertoo tämän hetkisestä taiteestaan ja apurahasta.Mitä teet parasta aikaa maalaustaiteessa?Valmistuin vuodenvaihteessa jatko-opinnoista Kuvataideakatem...