2.3.2026
They Are Back! A Group Exhibition by Summer Artists Opens the Anniversary Year
In March 2026, Kunsthalle Seinäjoki will open Flashback, a group exhibition celebrating Summer Artists. The exhibition launches an anniversary year, that will culminate with recruitment of the 10th Summer Artist. Flashback will be on display in Kunsthalle Seinäjoki’s exhibition space Vintti 7.3.– 8.8.2026. The exhibition showcases new works from Eetu Kevarinmäki (Summer Artist of 2018), Aeon Lux (Summer Artist of 2019), Sofi Häkkinen (Summer Artist of 2020), Riikka Gröndahl (Summer Artist of 2021), Olivia Viitakangas (Summer Artist of 2022), Baran Caginli (Summer Artist of 2023). Displaying a wide spectrum of techniques, the exhibition ranges from photography to drawing.In the exhibition, the artists reflect on their work, its meaning, and its relationship with place. Summer artist of 2023, Baran Caginli, will exhibit an adaptation of the monument of the Finland’s 6th President Mannerheim (Lauri Leppänen. Mannerheim, 1955) located in Seinäjoki, now recreated entirely in sourdough. Summer Artist of 2022, Olivia Viitakangas will showcase new two sound art works and installations in collaboration with Rafael Denisov. The works are located in the Vintti-exhibition space and at the entrance of underground parking hall in the Central Square of Seinäjoki. Exhibition is supported by The Finnish Heritage Agency and Seipark Oy.
Flashback – Snapshot Bridging Past and Future
The Flashback group exhibition is a glimpse into the past and a clear vision of the future. The name Flashback refers to memories and recollections. The artists return to the works of the summer art year, but above all, they look ahead. Riikka Gröndahl, Summer Artist of 2021 reminisces Summer Artist year and her encounters with the local people: “I was an artist, a saleswoman, a face-to-face fundraiser, a therapeutic, a reverend, an adviser, confidant and caregiver. I found myself reflecting the role of an artist: I am a witness and a listener, an accidental provocateur, a chronicler of time, an archivist and a distributor of data.
Kunsthalle Seinäjoki Celebrates the Summer Artist Model
It’s time to celebrate! For 10 years, Seinäjoki city’s Summer Artists have been creating amazing art experiences together with the local audience. Each summer since 2017, the City of Seinäjoki has employed a professional artist or art student to work as a Summer Artist. The Summer Artist, “Kesäkuvataiteilija” in Finnish, works as an employee for two months with their own independent artistic project that has been visible or participatory to the citizens of the city. The City of Seinäjoki’s Summer Artist program has broadened the view of the possibilities in which municipalities can cooperate with visual artists and act as an employer. The program has been a unique opportunity for a visual artist starting out in their career. The Summer Artists and their work have become a beloved part of the summer in the City of Seinäjoki. Each project has been adventurous, fresh and unexpected. Summer Artists have, among other things, created bread sculptures, archived video portraits, and explored the possibility of chance.
Opening Event
Opening event of the exhibition Flashback will take place at the exhibition space Halli of the Kunsthalle Seinäjoki. The opening event takes place on the 23rd of January at 17-20 pm. You are warmly welcome! The event is free for everyone.
The Kunsthalle Seinäjoki Art Exhibition Opening events are free of charge and open to all. In the opening events you will be among the first to experience the new art exhibition. You will also get the chance to meet the artists and other exhibition creators. The opening evenings are usually combined with the Kalevan Navetta event days: the house will then be full of varied programme activities organized by the many actors of the cultural centre. The Äärellä restaurant bistro is also open until 9.30 pm.
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More information
Laura Laukkanen, Art curator
tel. +358 44 774 8560, laura.laukkanen(at)seinajoki
