The Vallila Artist Studios in Helsinki have two scholarship studios named after the painters who made a will bequest, Helena and Werner Åström. The scholarship recipients are selected for three years at a time.
The board of the Artists’ Association of Finland selects the scholarship recipients, and the Studio Foundation awards them a scholarship to cover the rent of the facility in question for the entire scholarship period.
The scholarship is based on the Artists’ Association of Finland deed of donation from 1999, where it directed part of the bequest donated by Åström to the Studio Foundation for the establishment and maintenance of the scholarship studios. The same bequest together with funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture made it possible for the Studio Foundation to establish the Vallila Artist Studios complex. Read more about the Studio Foundation’s history (LISÄÄ LINKKI)
During the scholarship period of 1 May 2024–30 April 2027, Dylan Ray Arnold and Océane Bruel work at the Helena Åström studio and Emilia Tanner works at the Werner Åström studio.
Scholarship recipients in 2000–2027
Helena Åström Studio
2024–2027 Dylan Arnold and Océane Bruel
2021–2024 Katri Kainulainen and Maximillian Latva
2018–2021 Päivi Häkkinen and Tellervo Viitaniemi
2015–2018 Nea Lindgrén and Sador Vály
2012–2015 Maija Närhinen
2009–2012 Tuomo Manninen
2006–2009 Kalle Purhonen and Pauliina Turakka Purhonen
2003–2006 Minna Heikinaho
2000–2003 Juri Saarikoski
Werner Åström Studio
2025–2027 Emilia Tanner
2021–2024 Artor Jesus Inkerö and Reija Meriläinen
2018–2021 Jani Ruscica
2015–2018 Elina Brotherus
2012–2015 Petri Eskelinen
2009–2012 Terhi Heino
2006–2009 Mikko Maasalo
2003–2006 Jan Kaila
2000–2003 Heimo Suntio