You can read this article as a PDF/flipbook in issue 87 of Korpo Bladet here
A few times a year, the artists who come to stay at our own art residency in Korpo decide to open the doors of their studios to visitors. I personally find these events fascinating and make sure not to miss them, as they are interesting on so many levels. It's a great opportunity to meet new people from Finland and abroad, with fresh perspectives on this island I love. They are creative people who dedicate their lives to observing, introspecting, reflecting and creating, they are often fun and have a lot of reflections or stories to share.
During these Open Studio events, artists open their studios and they usually have some of the work they have been working on during their residency on display. You can wander through them at your own pace or be guided by the artists, who are usually eager to answer any questions you might have.
The studios serve as both living and workspace for the artists during their residency, thus, it's important to approach them with the same respect as you would someone's home. This adds an intimate touch to the experience, offering a glimpse into the life of an artist in residence at Korpo. By looking through the big windows, you can appreciate how the proximity of the residency to the sea and the forest inspire many of the artists' creations.
The summer version of the Open Studios was held on June 29th, coinciding with the opening of the new studio that many of you may have noticed evolving as you drove to or from the ferry.
Many visitors answered the call and the atmosphere was vibrant and joyful. People of different generations enjoyed meeting other people from different parts of the world. Resident artist Gary DeMichele from the USA played the keyboard on the porch of the new studio, while Oksana Mykhanko from Ukraine, Yuan Lin (Wendy) from China and Renja Leino exhibited their work both inside the new studio and in the surrounding area.
Gill / Akasaka, from the UK but living in Finland and on her fourth visit to AARK, showed many ink works in her studio, played her sea drum and singing bowls, and gathered visitors for conversations about creativity and meditation, while Elodie from Switzerland (whose article you can read above) brought stories from her extended stay on the island.
I personally took along Thor and we had a wonderful time. The exchange of ideas and experiences between the visitors was enriching for us, and it was fascinating to see how art can connect people from different parts of the world. It was clear that AARK is not just a physical space, but a hub for creativity and cultural exchange.
