Halosten museosäätiö
Lapinlahden taidemuseo
Eemil Halosen museo
Yläsavolaiset kuvataiteilijat
Halosten taiteilijasuku

artists in the iisalmi region – rooted in the halonen artist family

The Halonen Artist Family from Lapinlahti is central to art in Iisalmi region. The family’s multifaceted artistic talents can be seen in painting, sculpting, music, theatre, writing and crafts. The family includes many painters, the first of whom was artist Pekka Halonen (1865–1933) who began his career as a painter in the late 1880’s. Over the following decades he inspired his brother, the master builder and painter Antti Halonen (1870–1945), and his cousin, the sculptor Eemil Halonen (1875–1950) to study art. Later his cousins, the art founder and sculptor Arttu Halonen (1885–1965) and the actor and painter Kalle Halonen (1899–1947) found art to be a part of their lives, as well. Members of the Halonen Artist Family who are still active today include the twin brothers Paavo and Olli Halonen (born in 1950), who are sculptors.

The Halonen Artist Family has created a strong, genuine foundation for artwork in Iisalmi region. The area’s artists are multifaceted in the style of the Halonen Artist Family, and talented professionals can be found in many fields of artwork. The main focus, however, is still on traditional art forms – sculpture, painting and graphics – although the current generation of artist has also adopted news modes of expression, methods and materials. Art education in Iisalmi region offers both professional training and classes for those who want to study art to add spice to their lives. The varied activities of societies and foundations provide everyday support for both professional artists and hobbyists. In addition to community colleges and the Portaanpää Christian Institute, art is taught in Iisalmi region by the following societies: The Iisalmi Regional Art Society, the Savo Woodworkers, the art society Art Aktuaali and the Pallas Art Society. Their teachers have also been professional artists, for example Pauli Martikainen (born in 1937), Osmo Monto (born in 1938) and Seppo Kääriäinen (born in 1950).

The job of the Halonen Museum Foundation is to run museums, further art as a hobby and art appreciation in Iisalmi region and to cherish the Halonen Artist Family’s works. These pages introduce artists who were either born and raised in Iisalmi region or who have worked as artists in Iisalmi region. The works displayed belong to the Halonen Museum Foundation’s collections.

Colour your life with art!

Riitta Mäki Museum Director