KulttuuriKauppila is a dream of three artists, a dream of a new
kind of an art home. When the 170 year old school of Kauppila had
burnt, this dream according to which the history of Kauppila as the
centre of culture and civilization life could be carried over into
the new generations, was decided to make come true - together.
This regional Art Centre, where the internationality and
tradition converge into a new kind of culture was built by the
municipality of Ii and the European Union year 2006 to the idyllic
tradition environment by the riverbank of Ii.
KulttuuriKauppila comprises of two buildings. The atelier and
exhibition house is the art home of the local artists Sanna
Koivisto, Helena Kaikkonen and Antti Ylönen. The old school
building functions as the artist residence, where the accommodation
space and the studio for the guest artists are, as well as the
community centre for educations and events and the office.
In the community centre the children of Ii Art School are taught
so the space has its original function: Kauppila has got back its
children. Hence in the activities of KulttuuriKauppila the
child-artist interaction is given a remarkable value. The residence
artists have an impact on the art field of Ii, so through the
international activity new kind of possibilities to creativity are
produced.
Together internationality and tradition create innovations that
are supported with a big heart in