Finnish-Baltic collaboration
In the summer of 2024, Helsinki Urban Art launched a project aimed at creating a functional and synergistic street art network between Finland and the Baltic countries. The project included visits to participating countries and their street art organizations. The network partners were Riga Open Wall from Latvia, Stencibility from Estonia, and Laimikis from Lithuania.
The project facilitated networking with local street artists and experts, providing insights into regional street art cultures, projects, and the role of art in each country. Collaborative painting sessions during the visits fostered opportunities for artists to connect and learn from one another.
The artist exchange advanced street art collaboration between Finland and the Baltic countries, serving as a foundation for broader and longer-term cooperation among street art professionals from these regions. The collaboration between the organizations will continue in the coming years.
The project was funded by Nordic Culture Point.
Network Partners:
Kesä-heinäkuun vaihteessa verkostokontaktit vierailivat Tarttossa Stencibility 2024 -festivaalin aikana. Ohjelmaan kuului Stencibility 2024 näyttelyn lisäksi katutaidekierroksia ja maalaamista.
Riga Open Wall organizes painting sessions at the creative area of Provodniks. Finnish artist Poppamaija participated in the network project by visiting Riga and Vilnius with the association, creating a piece on the legal wall in the area.
During the visit in Helsinki the networking partners also explored the Purkutaide – Ihmemaa X exhibition in Kerava.
In Vilnius, we visited artists’ studios to explore their ongoing projects and working environments. One of the studios, belonging to the street artist known as Trexus, was located in a former prison building repurposed for cultural use.
The networking visit in Helsinki concluded at Espoo’s Kera Warehouses, where the association organized their third Kerafest. During the festival, a painting session was held, allowing Finnish and Baltic artists to leave their mark on the outdoor area of the warehouses. In this photograph is a mural made by Lithuanian artist Pidzin.
