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.
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.
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.
September 12 – October 24, 2025 – The Free Art School Lecture Series at HAM
As part of the Free Art School’s teaching programme, students attend Friday lectures where various artists and other experts discuss painting from different perspectives. This autumn, the lectures will be open to the public on five occasions at HAM, as part of the Free Art School’s 90th anniversary year programme.
November 21, 2025 – Alumni Event
An event organised by alumni of the Free Art School, open to all former students.
20 March 2026 Invitation-only seminar and evening event
Painting, Space, Form and Colour – a seminar on the intrinsic value of art, tradition and freedom will be held at Bio Rex in Helsinki.
The seminar will be conducted in Finnish.
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