{"id":7508,"date":"2021-06-02T12:59:35","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T09:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/?page_id=7508"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:38:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T09:38:52","slug":"ite-artist-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/ite-artist-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"ITE Artist of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns rnb_sidebar_content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rnb-second-level-nav rnb_second_level_nav\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"sivunavigaatio\"><a href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/ite-artist-of-the-year\/\" class=\"rnb_side_nav__title\"><h2>ITE Artist of the Year<\/h2><\/a><ul class=\"rnb_side_nav\"><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"rnb_title_categories__title no-categories\">ITE Artist of the Year<\/h1>\n\n<div id=\"cta-block_c8b984eb05e20136dee9756007690130\" class=\"block-cta rnb_full_width col-wrap-full cta\">\n  <div class=\"col-laptop-6 cta-image-column bg--deepblue\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"image-main\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/1000024055-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\">\n    \n      <svg class=\"image-cover\" viewBox=\"0 0 191 500\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" focusable=\"false\">\n    <rect id=\"Artboard1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" width=\"191.308\" height=\"500\" style=\"fill:none;\"\/>\n        <g id=\"Artboard11\" serif:id=\"Artboard1\">\n          <g>\n            <path class=\"fill-deepblue\"\n                  d=\"M191.308,500L191.308,0L0,0C0.45,1.21 5.25,13.98 8.95,22.87C10.78,27.28 17.72,55.52 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With the title, the artist gets the attention he\/she deserves and opportunities to present his\/her work.<\/p>\n      <a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/artist\/jyri-rastas\/%20%20\" target=\"_self\">Jyri Rastas, ITE Artist of the Year 2026        <svg width=\"16\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 15\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"M14.9558 6.56583C14.9578 6.56803 14.9593 6.57023 14.9613 6.57188C14.9633 6.57408 14.9653 6.57573 14.9668 6.57793C14.9718 6.58343 14.9768 6.58948 14.9818 6.59553C14.9883 6.60323 14.9948 6.61093 15.0012 6.61863C15.0077 6.62633 15.0137 6.63458 15.0197 6.64228C15.0262 6.65053 15.0322 6.65823 15.0382 6.66648C15.0441 6.67473 15.0496 6.68243 15.0556 6.69068C15.0616 6.69893 15.0671 6.70718 15.0731 6.71543C15.0786 6.72368 15.0841 6.73248 15.0895 6.74073C15.095 6.74898 15.1 6.75778 15.1055 6.76603C15.111 6.77483 15.116 6.78363 15.121 6.79298C15.1255 6.80123 15.1305 6.80948 15.1349 6.81828C15.1399 6.82763 15.1449 6.83698 15.1494 6.84688C15.1534 6.85513 15.1579 6.86338 15.1619 6.87163C15.1669 6.88153 15.1709 6.89198 15.1754 6.90188C15.1788 6.90958 15.1828 6.91783 15.1858 6.92553C15.1903 6.93598 15.1943 6.94698 15.1988 6.95798C15.2018 6.96568 15.2048 6.97338 15.2078 6.98108C15.2118 6.99263 15.2158 7.00363 15.2198 7.01518C15.2222 7.02233 15.2247 7.03003 15.2272 7.03718C15.2312 7.04928 15.2342 7.06138 15.2377 7.07348C15.2397 7.08008 15.2417 7.08723 15.2437 7.09438C15.2472 7.10703 15.2502 7.11968 15.2532 7.13233C15.2547 7.13893 15.2567 7.14553 15.2582 7.15213C15.2612 7.16533 15.2637 7.17853 15.2662 7.19173C15.2671 7.19778 15.2686 7.20438 15.2696 7.21043C15.2721 7.22418 15.2741 7.23793 15.2761 7.25168C15.2771 7.25773 15.2781 7.26323 15.2786 7.26928C15.2806 7.28358 15.2821 7.29843 15.2836 7.31273C15.2841 7.31768 15.2846 7.32318 15.2851 7.32868C15.2866 7.34408 15.2871 7.35948 15.2881 7.37543C15.2881 7.37983 15.2886 7.38423 15.2891 7.38808C15.2901 7.40788 15.2906 7.42768 15.2906 7.44748C15.2906 7.46728 15.2901 7.48708 15.2891 7.50688C15.2891 7.51073 15.2886 7.51513 15.2881 7.51898C15.2871 7.53493 15.2866 7.55033 15.2851 7.56628C15.2846 7.57233 15.2836 7.57783 15.2831 7.58333C15.2816 7.59708 15.2801 7.61138 15.2786 7.62513C15.2776 7.63118 15.2766 7.63723 15.2756 7.64383C15.2736 7.65758 15.2716 7.67078 15.2696 7.68398C15.2686 7.69058 15.2671 7.69718 15.2657 7.70378C15.2632 7.71643 15.2607 7.72963 15.2582 7.74228C15.2567 7.74943 15.2547 7.75603 15.2532 7.76318C15.2502 7.77528 15.2472 7.78793 15.2442 7.80003C15.2422 7.80718 15.2402 7.81433 15.2377 7.82148C15.2342 7.83303 15.2312 7.84513 15.2272 7.85668C15.2247 7.86438 15.2222 7.87208 15.2198 7.87923C15.2158 7.89023 15.2123 7.90178 15.2083 7.91278C15.2053 7.92048 15.2023 7.92873 15.1993 7.93643C15.1953 7.94688 15.1913 7.95788 15.1868 7.96833C15.1833 7.97658 15.1798 7.98428 15.1759 7.99253C15.1714 8.00243 15.1669 8.01233 15.1624 8.02223C15.1584 8.03048 15.1539 8.03873 15.1499 8.04698C15.1449 8.05633 15.1404 8.06568 15.1354 8.07503C15.131 8.08328 15.126 8.09153 15.1215 8.10033C15.1165 8.10913 15.1115 8.11848 15.106 8.12728C15.101 8.13553 15.0955 8.14378 15.0905 8.15258C15.0851 8.16138 15.0801 8.16963 15.0741 8.17788C15.0686 8.18613 15.0626 8.19438 15.0571 8.20263C15.0511 8.21088 15.0456 8.21913 15.0397 8.22738C15.0337 8.23508 15.0277 8.24333 15.0217 8.25103C15.0152 8.25928 15.0092 8.26753 15.0022 8.27523C14.9963 8.28293 14.9898 8.29008 14.9833 8.29723C14.9783 8.30328 14.9733 8.30933 14.9678 8.31538C14.9658 8.31758 14.9638 8.31923 14.9618 8.32143C14.9603 8.32363 14.9583 8.32528 14.9568 8.32748L9.61387 14.1377C9.17286 14.6173 8.46296 14.6118 8.02844 14.1256C7.59341 13.6394 7.5984 12.8567 8.03941 12.3777L11.4363 8.68388L1.12098 8.68388C0.50187 8.68168 -3.07106e-07 8.12838 -2.79984e-07 7.44583C-2.52861e-07 6.76328 0.501871 6.20998 1.12098 6.20998L11.4348 6.20998L8.03791 2.51618C7.59691 2.03658 7.59192 1.25393 8.02694 0.76828C8.46196 0.28208 9.17186 0.27658 9.61237 0.75618L14.9558 6.56583Z\" fill=\"#BDEBEE\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ITE Artist of the Year 2026: Jyri Rastas<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Artist of the Year 2025: Markku Sarastamo<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Recognition of the Year 2024: Hakkila Container Village Community in Vantaa<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Artist of the Year 2023: Alpo Koivum&auml;ki<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Artist of the Year 2022: &#8221;Junk Princess&#8221; Marjut Kauppinen<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Artist of the Year 2021: Jori Tapio Kalliola<\/strong><br><strong>ITE Artist of the Year<\/strong> <strong>2021: Paula Huhtanen<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns rnb_sidebar_content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2026-jyri-rastas-ite-makes-everything-possible\">2026: Jyri Rastas <strong>&ndash;<\/strong> <strong>ITE makes everything possible!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Originally trained as a geologist, <strong>Jyri Rastas<\/strong> (b. 1956) has forged his own path from the academic world to craftsmanship and art. In the 1990s, after settling in Tampere, Rastas says he became a &ldquo;carpenter,&rdquo; and alongside his work, he began to develop his distinctive artistic expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Association for Rural Culture and Education (Maaseudun Sivistysliitto, MSL) first became acquainted with Jyri Rastas&rsquo;s art during the ITE art survey in the Pirkanmaa region in 2017&ndash;2018. Even then, his diverse creativity and talent were showcased in exhibitions. Last summer, Rastas realized his long-held dream by organizing his very first solo exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jyri Rastas&rsquo;s works combine strong craftsmanship, organic forms, and warm colors. He skillfully utilizes a variety of materials and techniques, especially his own handmade ceramic mosaics. Over the decades, his body of work has included ceramic objects, small sculptures, serial works, and silver jewelry, as well as self-built musical instruments and tools that highlight his technical and artistic self-sufficiency. His works also reflect critical thinking and observations on contemporary phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&ldquo;ITE art enables all kinds of creative work. It is independent, playful, and fun, and it also provides an outlet for letting off steam,&rdquo; Jyri says about making his art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The artist is now retired and is able to fully dedicate himself to his artistic work in his workshop. Rastas&rsquo;s home in the Nekala district of Tampere is truly a haven of creativity, overflowing with imaginative, colorful, and thought-provoking works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-scaled.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-scaled.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-263x197.jpg 263w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Jyri-Rastas-Kukkamopomies.-Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas-526x395.jpg 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kukkamopomies (FlowerMopedMan). Artwork by Jyri Rastas. Photo by Leena Peltokangas.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-deepblue-color has-yellow-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.jyrirastas.com\">More photos on artist&#8217;s home page jyrirastas.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-deepblue-color has-yellow-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/artist\/jyri-rastas\/\">Artist introduction by Minna Haveri on the ITE art website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2025-markku-sarastamo-whole-life-full-of-creativity\">2025: Markku Sarastamo <strong>&ndash;<\/strong> whole life full of creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ingressi-font-size\">Starting in 2020, we have chosen the ITE artist of the year as a profile for self-taught artists. This year&#8217;s selection recognizes a multitalent from H&auml;meenlinna &#8211; ITE artist, fairy tale writer, storyteller, yogi, judoka, magician, inventor and Esperantist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Markku Sarastamo (1948, H&auml;meenlinna) is a versatile talent, the personification of Self-Made Life, who has been guided by curiosity, desire to experiment and imagination since he was a little boy. Sarastamo is e.g. ITE artist, fairy tale writer, storyteller, yogi, judoka, magician, inventor and Esperantist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The selection of Markku Sarastamo as the flag bearer of ITE art is a sign of appreciation for imagination and the many forms of creativity. At the same time, we honor Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s decades-long artistic career. Sarastamo was in the ITE art exhibitions for the first time in 2001 at the Helsinki Art Museum&#8217;s Meilahti exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, Markku Sarastamo has combined several areas of his art under the <em>Karbujo&ndash;Hiilimaa<\/em> entity. The fantastic and fairy-tale world of Karbujo comprises a narrative trilogy and an ever-expanding visual world, which is enriched not only by sculptures, but also by incredibly detailed and imaginatively flexible digital illustrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8221;I have been writing, drawing and dreaming about this story for about 25 years. Its starting point is probably the adventure books of my boyhood years and my hobbies with mechanics and electronics,&#8221; says Markku Sarastamo about the birth of the Karbujo fantasyland. The word comes from Esperanto &#8221;Karbo&#8221; coal and &#8221;Ujo&#8221; container or earth. That is, Hiilimaa, which is a volcanic region with its vulgar escape cavities and canals, in which a new type of human life is partly built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an ITE artist, Markku Sarastamo has been presented in exhibitions as a creator of special quality mechanical works, imaginative sculptures and elaborate drawings depicting the fairy tale world of Karbujo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarastamo&#8217;s fantasy book for both children and adults The Countess and her amazing life can be read in both Finnish and Esperanto on his website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.markkusarastamo.fi\">Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s homepage<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/artist\/markku-sarastamo\/\">Artist Markku Sarastamo on the ITE art website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sarastamomarkku\/\">You can follow Markku Sarastamo on Instagram<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Karbujo-exhibition-by-Markku-Sarastamo-1.pdf\">Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s solo exhibition in Rauma<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:33px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-welcome-to-get-to-know-the-ite-artist-of-the-year-2025\"><strong>Welcome to get to know the ITE artist of the year 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ITE artist Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s year 2025 opens in his hometown H&auml;meenlinna in the role of a magician. Later in the year, his art will be seen in two exhibitions, in the summer in Hyvink&auml;&auml; and in the fall in Rauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>H&Auml;MEENLINNA<\/strong>, <strong>KULTTUURIKESKUS ARX<\/strong><br>Time: 31.1.2025<br>Address: Kulttuurikeskus ARX, Viipurintie 4, 13200 H&auml;meenlinna<br>In H&auml;meenlinna, Markku Sarastamo performs and demonstrates magic tricks at Kulttuurikeskus ARX, as part of the city&#8217;s Arts Winter Night event. Markku is also involved in the Taikapussi-ARXantai video material aimed at families with children, which will be published on February 1, 2025. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>HYVINK&Auml;&Auml;, MIDDLE OF NOWHERE ART PARK<\/strong><br>Time: 25.6.&ndash;7.9.2025 (open Wed.&ndash;Fri. 2&ndash;7 p.m., Sat&ndash;Sun 12&ndash;6 p.m.)<br>Address: Middle of Nowhere, Koskenmaantie 187, Hyvink&auml;&auml;<br>In the joint exhibition of the Middle of Nowhere art park, Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s exhibition Satumaa Karbujo is in the interior of the park&#8217;s main building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RAUMA, ART HOUSE RAUMARS<\/strong><br>Time: 3.10.&ndash;25.10.2025 (open Tue&ndash;Sat)<br>Address: Taidetalo RaumArs, Alfredinkatu 3, Rauma<br>In October, Markku Sarastamo&#8217;s solo exhibition Karbujo &ndash; a land that doesn&#8217;t exist, will be held in RaumArs art house. The colorful drawings of the exhibition tell about the imaginary land of Karbujo, located by the sea in jungle-like regions. The exhibition will also include sculptural art as well as written and photographic material. During the exhibition, Sarastamo works as a resident artist and is there to meet the public during opening hours. There will also be work demonstrations, magic tricks of the week and a presentation on obstacles to creativity.&nbsp;&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Karbujo-exhibition-by-Markku-Sarastamo-1.pdf\">More information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-scaled.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-scaled.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1840\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-scaled.jpg 1840w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-736x1024.jpg 736w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-768x1069.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-1104x1536.jpg 1104w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-1472x2048.jpg 1472w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-339x472.jpg 339w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-678x944.jpg 678w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-235x327.jpg 235w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/SARASTAMO_SELF_PORTRAIT-470x654.jpg 470w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1840px) 100vw, 1840px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Markku Sarastamo, self-portrait by the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:34px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2024-hakkila-container-villages-community-in-vantaa\">2024: Hakkila Container Villages Community in Vantaa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2020, the Maaseudun Sivistysliitto has chosen the ITE Artist of the Year to bring out the voice and perspectives of self-taught artists. In 2024, the choice is aimed at an entire community whose activities show the multi-colored spectrum and powerful lushness of Self-Made Life. In Hakkila&#8217;s container village, a lively urban village activity is flourishing, bringing together artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Vantaa&#8217;s Hakkila, behind a large industrial area, you can find the wonderful world of sea containers and barracks. There prevails the spirit of the village community and an uncensored atmosphere of freedom. &#8221;Hakkila is a place where you have the opportunity to take life into your own hands,&#8221; says <strong>Santeri Tuovila<\/strong>, one of the souls of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a physical environment, Hakkila&#8217;s container village is a maze-like network of colorful sea containers and barracks towering over them. The comminity is managed by Suomen Kotteria Oy, led by <strong>Pentti Kotiaho<\/strong>, which rents premises to bands, artists, craftsmen, hobbyists, small entrepreneurs and for storage. There are about 200 tenants in the area. Hakkila lives from six in the morning to two in the morning as a place for work, creativity and hobbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-768x1024.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-768x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-354x472.jpg 354w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-708x944.jpg 708w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-245x327.jpg 245w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-491x654.jpg 491w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/01\/Kuva4_Hakkilan_konttikyla_kesalla-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hakkila Container Village in Vantaa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2023-alpo-koivumaki-and-his-splendid-alpo-s-savannah\">2023: Alpo Koivum&auml;ki and his splendid Alpo&#8217;s Savannah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ITE Artist of the Year 2023 is <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/artist\/alpo-koivumaki\/\">Alpo Koivum&auml;ki<\/a><\/strong> from Kauhajoki, Western Finland. Koivum&auml;ki is a beloved and respected classic of ITE art, an internationally renowned author. His art has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in Finland and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Koivum&auml;ki has created the sculpture park <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/destination\/alpos-savannah\/\">Alpo&rsquo;s Savannah<\/a><\/strong> for exotic animals in his home village. As part of the Arts Trail, the park attracts a large number of tourists during the summer season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Association for Rural Education and Culture chose the ITE Artist of the Year for the fourth time. With the selection of Koivum&auml;ki, MSL also highlights the importance of the artist&#8217;s background groups and the communities around him. With the help of a network of friends, it has become possible for the artist to participate in trips and exhibitions abroad. The voluntary work of the background teams, the acquisition of funding for the renovation of the art environment, as well as professional communication and the maintenance of networks are also of enormous importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1104\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao.jpg 1104w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-1024x890.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-768x668.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-360x313.jpg 360w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-720x626.jpg 720w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-263x229.jpg 263w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/01\/Alpo-Koivumaki-ja-Strutsilinnut_Kuva-Veli-Grnao-526x457.jpg 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1104px) 100vw, 1104px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alpo Koivum&auml;ki in his sculpture park. Photo, Veli Gran&ouml;.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2022-junk-princess-marjut-kauppinen-if-it-s-broken-it-can-be-mended\"><strong>2022: Junk princess Marjut Kauppinen<\/strong>, <strong>&ldquo;If it&#8217;s broken, it can be mended&rdquo;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2022 ITE artist is <strong>Junk princess<\/strong>, <strong>Marjut Kauppinen<\/strong>, from Lapinlahti in Northern Savo. By selecting Kauppinen, the Association for Rural Culture and Education draws attention to the roots of ITE art,&nbsp;Kauppinen&#8217;s&nbsp;holistic lifestyle, her philosophy of recycling and the art environment that fills her garden.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Junk princess&#8217;s garden is teeming with sculptures made of recycled materials, collages, mosaic art, acrylic paintings, signs and sparkling objects. In summer, the garden is also lush with flowers and herbs, and in the stillness of winter it is time to create new works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Junk princess makes almost all of her art from recycled materials. Her motto is &ldquo;if it&#8217;s broken, it can be mended&rdquo;: any piece of junk or scrap material can be transformed to give it a new lease of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being self-sufficient and able to create things with her hands is Kauppinen&#8217;s driving force. Kauppinen and her husband keep sheep, dogs and chickens, and they also have a kitchen garden and collect food from the forest. She also runs recreational workshops for elderly people three days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An elderly lady saw Kauppinen&#8217;s work made of recycled material years ago and said &#8221;well, I think you&#8217;re a veritable junk princess&#8221;, and the epithet stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kauppinen&#8217;s year as ITE artist will culminate at the Old Kuopio Museum in summer 2022 with an exhibition of her works. The exhibition is produced by the Kuopio Cultural History Museum in collaboration with the Association for Rural Culture and Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find an introduction to Junk princess on <a href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/artist\/junk-princess-marjut-kauppinen\/\">our website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=9DKm2sc4sO4\">on YouTube<\/a>, as well as on the Finna.fi search service from 25 January 2022. Junk princess posts regularly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/romurinsessa\">on Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romurinsessa\/\">on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11731\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-263x175.jpg 263w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/01\/4-Marjut-Romurinsessa-Kauppinen-kotonaan-Lapinlahdella_Kuva-Olli-Lahdesmaki-Maaseudun-Sivistysliitto-1-526x351.jpg 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Junk princess Marjut Kauppinen. Image Olli L&auml;hdesm&auml;ki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:9px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2021-jori-tapio-kalliola-sculptor-of-wooden-heads\"><strong>2021: Jori Tapio Kalliola &ndash; sculptor of wooden heads<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Association for Rural Culture and Education has named <strong>Jori Tapio Kalliola<\/strong> the 2021 ITE Artist of the Year. He is a Rauma-born self-taught artist and musician who now lives in Hanko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jori Tapio Kalliola&rsquo;s works are commentaries on the current state of the world and life in general. They take aim at the power structures of society, politics, religion and economics, as well as greed and the pursuit of power, but are tinged with a gentle sense of humour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kalliola started painting when he was young, but then music took over and he spent years touring the world with his band. Kalliola has become known as a musician and the frontman of various bands and is still the lead singer of <a href=\"https:\/\/joriotsajamahorkka.fi\/\">Jori Otsa &amp; Mah&rsquo;Orkka<\/a>. Jori Tapio Kalliola does not have a formal arts education and is also a self-taught musician, singer and lyricist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kalliola has lived in Hanko since 2014, at which point sculpting became his preferred form of expression. He finds sculpting so fascinating that he creates statues almost every day, and his workshop is filled with wooden sculptures and reliefs. Kalliola uses materials abandoned by other people to create his frightening wooden heads. The materials used in his sculptures include bits of logs, dismantled railway parts and scrap metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-1024x667.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-1024x667.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-1024x667.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-1536x1000.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-2048x1334.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-360x234.jpg 360w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/3-Jori-Kalliola-tyohuoneessaan-Raumalla_Kuva-Veli-Grano_ITE-Satakunta-MSL-1-720x469.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ITE Artist of the Year 2021 Jori Tapio Kalliola. Image: Veli Gran&ouml;.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2020-paula-huhtanen-promoter-of-joyism\"><strong>2020: Paula Huhtanen &ndash; promoter of &lsquo;joyism&rsquo;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.paulahuhtanen.fi\/engl.html\"><strong>Paula Huhtanen<\/strong><\/a> was born in Lapland but now lives in the village of Sarkola in Nokia. In 2020, she became the first ITE Artist of the Year. This allowed her to highlight the perspective of artists in a number of events, online discussions and media interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Huhtanen promotes &lsquo;joyism&rsquo; in her art, spreading the ideas of trust and optimism that erupt from her brilliantly colourful paintings and collages. Her artistic expression has also found a canvas on unique objects and accessories, such as a piece of furniture, a dish, a shoe and a garment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paula Huhtanen started her exhibition tour to mark the nomination in 2019 at the Helsinki Christmas Market, but the actual celebrations started with a television interview at <a href=\"https:\/\/areena.yle.fi\/1-50400601\">the Ethnogala<\/a> at Tavastia Club. Her summer was occupied with a solo exhibition, Ilo ylimill&auml;&auml;n (&lsquo;Full of joy&rsquo;), and work as a village artist in Ilomantsi. Huhtanen&rsquo;s works were also displayed at the ITE hirveet&auml;! summer exhibition in Parkano, the ITE bear exhibition in Savonlinna Provincial Museum and the Makkaragalleria in Helsinki. Paula Huhtanen sent her work K&auml;mmenell&auml; (&lsquo;In the palm&rsquo;) to the President of Finland, Mr Sauli Niinist&ouml;, and his wife, Mrs Jenni Haukio. The hand-shaped work crystallises the challenge of avoiding physical contact as a result of the pandemic but offers consolation by reminding us that art always offers opportunities for us to come together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paula Huhtanen has continued to promote opportunities for other ITE artists to exhibit their works even after her time as the ITE Artist of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-1024x764.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-1024x764.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><\/source><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"764\" src=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-1024x764.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4938\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-1024x764.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-1536x1145.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-2048x1527.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-360x268.jpg 360w, https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/02\/Huhtanen_Paula_Pullonhenki_Kuva-Leena-Peltokangas.-720x537.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Paula Huhtanen, Genie in a Bottle. Image: Leena Peltokangas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-deepblue-color has-yellow-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/en\/contact-information\/\">Contact us for further information<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns rnb_sidebar_content is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rnb_sidebar_content__content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ITE Artist of the Year 2026: Jyri RastasITE Artist of the Year 2025: Markku SarastamoITE Recognition of the Year 2024: Hakkila Container Village Community in VantaaITE Artist of the Year 2023: Alpo Koivum&auml;kiITE Artist of the Year 2022: &#8221;Junk Princess&#8221; Marjut KauppinenITE Artist of the Year 2021: Jori Tapio KalliolaITE Artist of the Year 2021: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":20,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7508","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":7508,"fi":4300},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7508"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23325,"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7508\/revisions\/23325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/msl.fi\/itetaide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}