Art, Nature and Finnish Creativity – An Inspiring Week in North Karelia

Salmenkyläntie 81, 75500 Nurmes

Art, Nature and Finnish Creativity – An Inspiring Week in North Karelia

Discover your creativity in the peaceful landscapes of North Karelia. This eight-day art holiday combines hands-on workshops, Finnish nature, cultural excursions, local food and the relaxing warmth of a traditional wood-fired sauna.

During the week, you will experiment with sketching, painting, printmaking and wood-based design. The surrounding countryside, Finnish landscapes and local culture provide inspiration for your work. A full-day excursion takes you to the iconic landscapes of Koli, while a visit to Nurmes introduces you to local art, history and charming shops.

No previous artistic experience is required. The programme is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced art enthusiasts. The relaxed small-group atmosphere also makes the holiday ideal for solo travellers.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Valid: 1.4. - 20.6.20217 | 15.8.-30.11.2027
Group: min 6, max 15
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
Sauna: Traditional wood-fired sauna every day
Skill level: No previous artistic experience required

Highlights

Creative workshops in sketching, painting, printmaking and plywood design
Inspiration from Finnish nature, landscapes, art and design
Guided excursion to the famous Koli National Park landscapes
Art-themed tour of the Koli peaks
Visit to an art exhibition at the Ukko Nature Centre
Guided introduction to Juuka’s stone-carving tradition
Cultural day in Nurmes
Traditional Finnish meals and full board throughout the holiday
Daily relaxation in a traditional wood-fired sauna
A welcoming small-group experience suitable for solo travellers
Your own handmade artworks and prints to take home

Programme

Day 1 – Welcome to North Karelia
Arrive at the guesthouse and settle into the peaceful countryside surroundings.

During the welcome meeting, you will receive information about the week’s programme and meet your fellow participants.

Arrival and accommodation
Welcome meeting and group introductions
Dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 2 – Sketching and Tetra Pak Printmaking
Morning: Introduction to sketchbook drawing

Each participant receives a personal sketchbook. We begin by exploring the guesthouse and its surroundings through drawing. Using different tools and techniques, we sketch interior spaces, everyday objects, the garden, animals, people and other inspiring details.

The aim is to observe the environment with fresh eyes and collect ideas for the week’s creative projects.

Afternoon: Tetra Pak printmaking

The morning’s sketches are transferred onto recycled beverage-carton printing plates. The images are printed on high-quality printmaking paper using water-soluble inks and a pasta machine as a small printing press.

Each participant creates a series of prints. We will also compile a shared print portfolio so that every participant receives one artwork from each member of the group.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 3 – Painting the Finnish Landscape

Morning: Colours and shapes of the landscape

We explore the characteristic colours, forms and atmosphere of the Finnish landscape. The workshop also introduces selected works by well-known Finnish landscape artists, including paintings inspired by Koli.

Participants sketch the surrounding scenery and create their own landscape paintings using watercolours or acrylic paints.

Afternoon: Composition and painting

We continue working on the landscape paintings and experiment with different compositions, viewpoints and ways of creating depth and atmosphere.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 4 – Art and Landscapes of Koli
Today we visit Koli, one of Finland’s best-known national landscapes and a source of inspiration for generations of Finnish artists.

The programme includes a guided tour of Koli’s famous peaks with a special focus on artists and the landscapes that inspired them. We also visit an art exhibition at the Ukko Nature Centre.

Lunch is served in Koli village.

On the return journey, we stop in Juuka for a guided The Sculpture Promenade showcases Juuka’s unique soapstone-carving tradition as part of the townscape. The route features works created during the Juuka Stone Carving Festivals between 2021 and 2024, forming an inspiring open-air gallery where art, local history and the natural beauty of North Karelia come together.

Breakfast
Guided art-themed tour of the Koli peaks
Visit to an art exhibition at the Ukko Nature Centre
Lunch in Koli village
Dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 5 – Finnish Design in Plywood
Morning: Designing and cutting a plywood artwork

We begin with a brief introduction to Finnish design, from its history to the present day. Inspired by the shapes and patterns of Finnish nature, each participant designs an original object, motif, ornament or abstract form.

The design is transferred onto plywood and carefully cut using a scroll saw. The finished shape is then painted with acrylic colours.

Afternoon: Completing the artwork

We continue cutting, painting and finishing the plywood pieces. A hanging fixture is added so that the completed work can be displayed at home.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 6 – Woodcut Printmaking
Morning: Introduction to woodcut
We explore the woodcut technique and look at examples created by selected Finnish artists.

Each participant chooses a subject from the sketches made during the week. The selected image is developed into a design and carved into a plywood printing block.

Afternoon: Printing on Japanese paper
The finished block is printed as a small edition on delicate Japanese paper using water-soluble printing inks.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 7 – Art and Culture in Nurmes
Today we discover the art, culture and local atmosphere of Nurmes.

We visit an exhibition at Nurmes-talo and the Alma Pääkkönen exhibition at Kauppalan talo. After lunch in town, there is free time for shopping and independent exploration.

In the evening, we gather for a special farewell dinner and celebrate the experiences and artworks created during the week.

Breakfast
Visit to an exhibition at Nurmes-talo
Visit to the Alma Pääkkönen exhibition at Kauppalan talo
Lunch in Nurmes
Free time for shopping
Farewell dinner
Traditional wood-fired sauna

Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast, it is time to say hei hei – goodbye – and begin the journey home with new memories, creative inspiration and your own collection of artworks.

Price: 1580€/person.
Single supplement

Included