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

Looking for a unique cultural experience in Finland? Just an hour from Helsinki, in the charming village of Iittala, you’ll find the Naivistit Iittalassa art exhibition – a delightful celebration of naive art. Housed in a historic wooden schoolhouse, this exhibition is the heart of Finnish naïve 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 Naive Art in Iittala – A Unique Finnish Cultural Experience
Founded in 1989 by Aira and Kalevi Heinänen, the exhibition has grown from a local passion project into Finland’s largest and most beloved naive art hub. For over three decades, it has hosted countless visitors, bringing joy and inspiration to art lovers from all over the world.
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.
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, animals, and the changing seasons, blending these familiar scenes with elements of fantasy and humour.
A hallmark of Finnish naivism is its storytelling quality, where each piece invites viewers into a narrative filled with personal reflections, childhood memories, and cultural traditions. The works are also characterised by intricate details, vibrant colours, and a playful sense of scale, combining realism with whimsy. Finnish naive artists infuse their creations with both optimism and subtle social commentary, offering a perspective that is at once heartfelt and thought-provoking.



Explore What’s on Show at Naivistit Iittalassa
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.



Winter Exhibition 2024-2025: A Journey Through Naive Art Classics and Enchanting Miniature Worlds
This winter, Naivistit Iittalassa invites you to explore a rich tapestry of naive art, featuring:
- Naive Art Classics: Discover the renowned works of naive artist Martti Innanen, celebrated for his bold and thought-provoking style, featured in the esteemed Suomen Gallup Foundation collection.
- Aira and Kalevi Heinänen’s Artistic Legacy: Celebrate the visionaries behind our exhibition’s inception with a special showcase honouring their contributions to the world of naive art.
- Miniature Dollhouse Worlds by Hannele Lemmetyinen and Sari Niininen: Be captivated by intricate dollhouse creations that delight audiences of all ages. These miniature realms offer ”glimpses, moments, and snapshots of both realistic and fantastical worlds, where the small becomes grand, the stark reveals beauty, silence speaks volumes, and peculiarity is a virtue.”
- Contemporary Naive Artists: Experience fresh works from today’s leading naive artists.



Summer Exhibition 2025 ”On a slippery slope”, will be open from 19 May to 31 August – Once again, around fifty contemporary naive artists will showcase their new artworks.
Opening Hours and Admission
Winter Exhibition 2024-2025: Open Fri through Sun, 23 November 2024 to 2 March 2025, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Summer Exhibition 2025: Open daily from mid-May to the end of August, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Admission Fees:
- Adults: 14 € (from summer 2025 onwards 15 €)
- Concessions (unemployed, students, pensioners): 12 € (from summer 2025 onwards 13 €)
- Under 18s: Free
- Groups (minimum 20 people): 10 € per person
Please note that the Museum Card is not accepted. Tickets can only be purchased on-site.



Plan Your Visit to Naivistit Iittalassa – Easy Access and Practical Info
Iittala village is located 118 km north of Helsinki, 25 km north of Hämeenlinna city centre, and 55 km south of Tampere. Naivistit Iittalassa 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.
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.
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
The Naivistit Iittalassa 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 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 Naivistit Iittalassa
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
At Naivistit Iittalassa, 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 Glass Museum, Iittala Outlet, and various Artisan Boutiques. All these are within walking distance of the Naivistit Iittalassa art exhibition. For more information, please visit: https://iittalavillage.fi/en/iittala-village-welcome/
Contact
Naivistit Iittalassa Art exhibition (Naivistit Iittalassa -taidenäyttely)
Hollaajantie 2, 14500 Iittala
Tel. +358 (0)45 7730 1686
Email: info@naivistitiittalassa.fi