Artist residents of Kirsikoti
Kirsi Mikkonen born 1969
I became Raija's daughter when I was 4 years old. I started attending the Lieksa Art School and art camps when I was very young. After finishing primary school, I studied at the Agricultural College of Kitee because I really like animals. In the early years at Kirsikoti, there were sheep, and I was allowed to take care of all of them. I wouldn't have time to take care of sheep anymore, as making art takes up a lot of time. I still want to paint themes related to Italy. I paint on waxed fabrics and tray cloths. I also get custom orders quite often. I love colors and large surfaces. My Via Toscana fabrics have become very popular. I love painting and I dream of getting back to Italy to paint. I am a member of the Joensuu Artists' Association, and a book has been published about me.
Jukka-Pekka Levy born 1987
I moved to Kirsikoti in 1997. I attended the special class at Pankakoski Primary School. My school years were nice. We did various performances, such as School of Clowns, The Return of the Indians, the orchestra Euforia, Spectrum of Colors and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We also performed the latter at Princess Sofia School in Almería, Spain. I played a dwarf. I've been to Italy many times with the Kirsikoti group to paint. Those were good times. I studied for three years in Kirsikoti's art project, after which I continued working in the art workshop. I paint fabrics for products and participate in teaching during certain periods. I often receive orders. It feels nice. I participate in group exhibitions with the Kirsikoti artists. I had a solo exhibition in Juuka in the spring of 2007 and in Hämeenlinna in 2010. I was named the Artist of the Year by Kettuki (the nationwide organization in the field of special arts) in 2011 and that same year, a book about me called Aurinkopoika was published. I am also a member of the Joensuu Artists' Association.
Marika Paalamo born 1970
After finishing primary school, I studied at a Special Vocational School in Liperi. I moved to Kirsikoti in 1994. I enjoy cooking and making salads. I'm good at it. I get up every morning to prepare breakfast and make coffee. I also make coffee for guests and set the table. We have many visitors. Some even stay overnight. I enjoy painting. I often paint animal themes and nature. I also paint fairy tale themes. I illustrated Pekka Heiskanen's poetry book Ihmiseksi. I think it's wonderful. I also enjoy writing letters. I receive many orders. People like my animal-themed quilts and they order them for children. I have painted curtains and tray cloths. Exhibitions bring a festive mood and that's when we all celebrate. In 2012, I had my own solo exhibition and a book I created with a friend was published. I am a professional member of the Joensuu Artists' Association.
Niina Kari born 1985
I attended primary school in Pankakoski in a special education class. I moved to Kirsikoti in 2004. Before that, I had been to camps here and my school class also visited here often. I like cats, but I prefer dogs. I enjoy painting. I've had a great time during my work periods in Italy, where I painted many paintings. The openings of exhibitions are nice. I always get a rose. I studied at the special vocational school in Liperi and since then, I have worked at Kirsikoti in household tasks. At the art workshop, I sometimes paint fabrics for products. Occasionally, I also participate in art lessons.
Päivi Eronen born 1971
After primary school, I studied at a special vocational school in Liperi. I moved to Kirsikoti in 1993. I paint pictures and fabrics. The shades are strong, and there are several layers of colors. I don't think about themes, I just enjoy painting. Colors are very important to me. Sometimes, I help in the kitchen and wash my laundry. I enjoy traveling the world and I really love celebrations. A book has been written about me. I have many friends. I am a professional member of the Joensuu Artists' Association.
Santtu Miettinen born 1982
I attended primary school in Kuopio. My family consists of my mother, sister, and brother. I studied for a year at Kaprakka in the visual art program. After that, I studied at Nikkarila in Pieksämäki. It was during that time that my beloved father passed away. I returned to Kaprakka to study for a basic degree in household studies and consumer services. After that, I studied for three years in Kirsikoti's art project. When the project ended, I wanted to stay and live at Kirsikoti. My family and relatives are very dear to me. Kirsikoti is now my home and I sometimes visit Kuopio to greet my relatives. I want to develop as an artist. Here at the art workshop, I get to create as much art as I want, and I also receive guidance for it.
Laura Nykänen born 1983
I attended primary school in Pankakoski. After that, I studied for three years at the Christian Institute of Lieksa. For a year, I worked part-time at the Lieksa Art Activity Center and the Lieksa Support Center. I love music and colors, theater and opera. It is wonderful to be close to others. For three years, I have been exploring my artistic identity in the Kirsikoti art project. I have been to Tuscany several times and it has been wonderful there. We had an exhibition there. The project ended in August 2007. Since then, I have been creating art in the Kirsikoti art workshop and now I am a permanent resident of Kirsikoti. In addition to painting pictures, I also paint fabrics for accessories and home textiles. It's lovely to work with friends. Exhibitions and their openings are fantastic. I have completed many custom orders, such as fabrics for coats, bags, tablecloths, trays and home textiles. As my final project, I designed and created interior textiles for my own home. The theme was Trees and I also painted paintings on this theme. I am an artist.
Emma-Kaisa Komi born 1995
I attended primary school in Joensuu, after which I completed a training program at Luovi to prepare for work and independent living. I applied to study visual expression at Bovallius Vocational College in Jyväskylä and to my delight, I was accepted. For three years, I commuted by bus between Joensuu and Jyväskylä. In the spring of 2017, I graduated as a visual artisan. I enjoy painting, listening to music and playing sports. Suomipop is my favorite radio station and I watch all music programs on TV. In the summer, we swim at a nearby beach in Joensuu and cycle a lot. In the winter, we skate and ski. If the ice conditions are good, we ski to the lean-to on a nearby island to grill sausages. As a child, I attended art camps at Kirsikoti, and I also completed my work experience periods (TET) for Bovallius Vocational College here. I moved to Kirsikoti permanently in the summer of 2017.
Piia Vaarala born 1983
I have attended art camps at Kirsikoti for many years and have also participated in exhibitions. I moved here permanently in the spring of 2003. I enjoy painting and want to keep learning more. I also love dance and music, which is part of the program here. I have even learned to play the kantele. There is a festive atmosphere and we all receive roses. I have performed in the musicals Nyt jos koskaan and Joku kutsuu sinua, as well as in the Kanssani hän kulkee -service with the Kirsikoti community. At the 30th anniversary celebration in Lieksa, I performed a solo dance Brahean synty. I have also danced at exhibition openings and events in Italy. I enjoy taking care of animals and listening to music.
Taika-Tuulia Kärkkäinen born 2002
I attended primary school in a special education class in Lieksa. I live at Kirsikoti during the week and spend weekends with my family. I enjoy being at Kirsikoti because I have many friends there, and I can paint. It's a fun place! In my free time, I listen to music, dance, and watch sports. I like cats and dogs. I get to do a lot of commissioned work, in which I paint animals such as cats, penguins, and seals.