An Art Experience at Särestö

Särestö celebrates Tove Jansson and Finnish Art Day on Saturday 8.8.2026! We are offering all museum visitors a free art experience in Reidar’s Studio in a pop-up format—meaning you can drop by anytime between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM during your visit.

Summer has flown by, and for most of us it is almost time to head back to school. Reidar Särestöniemi was one of the most highly educated Finnish artists; he studied at the Fine Arts Academy of Finland in Helsinki and the Repin Institute in Leningrad.

One of the cornerstones of art studies is getting to know famous artists and art movements—for instance, by copying their works. In this workshop, you can try what is it like to study art: create your own version of one of Reidar’s works!

- Choose a work by Reidar that interests you—feel free to snap a photo of it with your phone.
- Sketch the work first—observe the different colors used in the piece.
- Dive right into painting: start with the background and elements further back, then move on to the foreground, and finally add the smallest details.
- Finish your artwork with a personal touch if you like!

You will have access to gouache paints (poster paints) for your work, and the museum staff will be helping you in the workshop! Participation in the workshop is included in the museum admission price; the workshop is free of charge for holders of a valid Museum Card.

Tove Jansson and Finnish Art Day is celebrated on August 9th, Tove Jansson’s birthday. Tove Jansson (1914–2001) is one of Finland’s most renowned artists of all time. She was a versatile writer, painter, illustrator, comic artist, and political cartoonist. She is best known as the creator of the Moomins. Tove Jansson and Finnish Art Day has been an official flag-flying day in Finland since 2020.

The celebration of Tove Jansson at Särestö continues on Tuesday 11.8.2026, as Särestö Pride culminates in a DJ set by Paleface at the "From the Archive: Tove & Tooti" record jam session!