Welcome to Naivistit Iittalassa art exhibition – Finland’s foremost naive art destination

Looking for a unique art experience in Finland?

Just an hour from Helsinki, in the Iittala village, you’ll find the Naive Art Exhibition – a delightful celebration of naive art.

Housed in an old schoolhouse, this exhibition is the heart of Finnish naive art, offering a vibrant mix of playful creativity, storytelling, and heartfelt charm.

This destination makes for a perfect day trip from Helsinki, Tampere, or Hämeenlinna to experience one of Finland’s cultural treasures.

Discover Finland’s Leading Naive Art Exhibition in Iittala – A Unique Finnish Cultural Experience

Founded in 1989 by Aira and Kalevi Heinänen, the Naive Art Exhibition in Iittala Village has grown from a local passion project into a large and beloved naive art hub. For almost four decades, the Iittala exhibition has been a pioneer in promoting naive art nationwide.

Naive art is a unique and captivating art form characterised by its childlike simplicity, bold colours, and imaginative storytelling. It often depicts everyday life, nature, and personal experiences, blending whimsy with profound emotion. The style is marked by its authenticity, sincerity, and accessibility, making it universally appealing.

The roots of naive art trace back to the late 19th century, when self-taught artists like Henri Rousseau gained recognition for their fresh and untrained approach to painting. Free from the constraints of academic traditions, naive art embraces a pure and heartfelt expression. Most of the artists in Iittala are also selftaught artists.

What Makes Finnish Naive Art Unique? Nordic Nature and Whimsy Combined

Finnish naive art stands out for its deep connection to nature, folklore, and scenes from everyday life. Rooted in the Nordic landscape, it often depicts serene forests, snowy winters, lakeside cottages, saunas, animals, and the changing seasons, blending these familiar scenes with elements of fantasy and humour. Personal stories, childhood memories and everyday occurrences make the heart of this art.

Explore What’s on Show at the Naive Art Exhibition

Summer Exhibitions: Open daily from mid-May to late August, our summer showcases feature works from dozens of contemporary Finnish artists. Each summer, over 21,000 visitors come to experience the playful world of naivism in Iittala.

Winter Exhibitions: From November to March, we shift gears to explore the history of naive art, new themes, and exciting projects. Winter exhibitions run on weekends, with weekday visits available for groups by reservation.

A short introductory presentation of the art exhibition is available in Finnish and English for groups by advance booking. For children, we offer a fun, art-themed search-and-find activity, where they can look for specific images hidden within the artworks on display. This activity is a big hit with our young visitors.

Summer Exhibition 2026 – Homecoming

Summer’s exhibition will feature again 50 prominent naive artists and their works with the theme ”Homecoming”. The curator of the exhibit, Emmi Kallio (born 1981) is a 44-year-old Finnish artist from Tampere whose bold, energetic paintings reflect both playfulness and personal expression. With the theme Homecoming, she says: ”We all need a home – a place of belonging where one is always welcome. The naive artists of Iittala form such a community in the old school house, whose door is always open. Each summer brings new exhibitions, yet visitors return year after year to find both fresh discoveries and the warm feeling of coming home”.

Plan Your Visit to the the Naive Art Exhibition – Easy Access and Practical Info

Location: Iittala village is located 118 km north of Helsinki, 25 km north of Hämeenlinna city centre, and 55 km south of Tampere. The Naive Art exhibition is situated between Iittala Glass Centre and Iittala Comprehensive School, at Hollaajantie 2, 14500 Iittala. The exhibition occupies a historic yellow wooden building, formerly the Kalvola municipal primary school.

Train: VR (Finnish Railways):Main page: https://www.vr.fi/en
Timetables: https://www.vr.fi/en/timetables
Train tickets: https://www.vr.fi/en/train-tickets
The train halt is 700 m walking distance from the art exhbition.

Bus: Matkahuolto (National Bus and Travel Services):Main page: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en
Bus timetables: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en/passengers
Trips and Tickets app: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en/passengers/bus-tickets-and-travel-cards
The bus stops in the centre of the village, 500 m walking distance form the art exhibition. Additional local bus timetables from Hämeenlinna to Iittala, Hämeenlinna// https://reittiopas.hameenlinna.fi/?locale=en

Accessibility: The Naive Art Exhibition has one accessible entrance. Our main entrance, located in the inner courtyard of the wooden schoolhouse, is equipped with a wheelchair ramp. Assistants and service dogs accompanying visitors who need mobility support are admitted free of charge – the visitor is eligible for a discounted admission fee.

The building has one restroom (accessible for wheelchair users). Most of the ground floor exhibition spaces are accessible, except for a few corner rooms. The second floor is not accessible, as it can only be reached by stairs. The artworks on the second floor can be viewed on a large data screen located in the first hall on the ground floor.

Parking: Parking for cars and buses is available at the large parking lot at Lasimäki, located approximately 200 meters from our exhibiton. (Additionally, the parking areas at Iittala Comprehensive School can be used outside school hours, such as during holidays and weekends.) An electric car charging station can be found at the large parking lot at Lasimäki as well as at the Shell service station near the highway.

Shop Unique Finnish Art and Souvenirs at the Naive Art Exhibition

Love what you see? Take it home! Many of the exhibited works are available for purchase, with pieces ready for collection after the season ends. For instant gratification, our lobby shop offers ready-to-go artworks and charming souvenirs. In addition, our lobby shop features a variety of products from local artisans, showcasing their handmade creations including ceramics, textiles, wooden crafts, and more. You’ll also find t-shirts, posters, postcards, home décor items, jewellery, games, and books, as well as high-quality art supplies.

Sustainability in the Naive Art Exhibition

At the Naive Art exhibition we recycle all waste generated at the exhibition and encourage visitors to do the same. We prioritize local subcontractors for catering, materials, and services, supporting our community while minimizing transport emissions. Our exhibition spaces use energy-efficient lighting solutions, and we encourage visitors to travel green by using public transport.

The Charming Iittala Village

Iittala village offers plenty of other places to visit, such as Iittala Glass Factory, Iittala Store, and various artisan boutiques. All these are within walking distance of the Naive Art exhibition. For more information, please visit: https://iittalavillage.fi/en/iittala-village-welcome/