Erasmus+ Study Trip to Iceland Presented in the Burning Rainbow Bridge Exhibition and Seminar

Text: Aura Hakuri, visual artist and third-year lead teacher at the Free Art School
Photos: Virppi Sysilehto

The fourth-year students curated the exhibition with the support of the author and producer Virppi Sysilehto. Organising the exhibition and all related activities were part of the students’ learning process. The students were active participants throughout. Exhibition tasks included organising transport, selecting and installing the artworks, hanging the pieces, and planning the opening’s programme and refreshments.

The exhibition, rooted in the Erasmus+ study exchange trip to Iceland, fit beautifully into the setting of Suomenlinna.

It was fascinating to present a show about one unique island on another distinctive island. Ruutikellari is not a conventional gallery space, making this student exhibition a pilot project to explore the site’s potential. Due to the space’s historical status, the display was tailored to the environment and hanging possibilities. The students found excellent and creative ways to install their works in the unusual venue.

The exhibition featured paintings, a few video works, and sketchbooks. Most of the works were created after the trip, reflecting observations, insights, and emotions inspired by the journey. The sketchbooks were filled on-site during the trip. The pieces captured the essence of encountering a new environment—Iceland’s raw landscapes and volcanic energy offered rich inspiration.

The works also conveyed personal encounters from the trip—new acquaintances, experiences of Icelandic everyday life, insights into local art studies and cultural scenes. The exhibition spread beyond the main hall into a side corridor. In total, it featured 28 works and several sketchbooks displayed on tables. The dialogue between different artists and the historical space created a rich and immersive experience. The opening on 17 September included a live performance: FRAGMENTS – improvisation for sound and visuals by Eevi Oittinen (performative drawing) and Libero Mureddu (keyboard and effects).

Seminar: A Look Back at the Iceland Trip

A seminar on the Erasmus+ study trip was held on the exhibition’s final day. The trip to Iceland took place in April 2024 and included a visit to our partner school, Myndlistaskólinn í Reykjavík, as well as tours of Reykjavik and its art museums. The students also visited the studio of artist and teacher Kristin Gunnlaugsdottir. The week concluded with a few days in the countryside, including a stay at the studio of artist Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson. We visited local nature sites and learned about life as a rural artist.

The students compiled a presentation for the seminar, introducing the key moments and sites of the trip under themed headings like Reykjavik, Art School, Students, and Bjarni’s Studio. They divided responsibility for the presentation and each introduced their section. The seminar offered a vivid look into the journey and its impact. While primarily intended for Free Art School students and staff, a few additional guests were able to attend.

First-, second-, and third-year students gained an engaging and informative overview of international exchange in practice.

Project Context

This pilot initiative to build a European network of painting-focused art schools began in autumn 2023 and is coordinated by the Free Art School. The partnership between the Free Art School and Myndlistaskólinn í Reykjavík serves as a model for close collaboration between art schools that benefits both students and staff. The network supports the internationalisation of painters and the preservation of painting traditions in Europe.

The project runs from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2025 and is funded by the European Union with €60,000.

Project information is available on the European Commission's website: Project Card.
More about the Erasmus+ programme: Finnish National Agency for Education (oph.fi).

This project is funded by the European Union. However, the content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Special thanks to the Governing Body of Suomenlinna for their support.