Professional artists bring fresh perspectives to upper secondary school life
During autumn 2024, two resident artists, Iiri Poteri and Thomas Westphal, worked at Matinkylän lukio and Viherlaakson lukio general upper secondary schools in Espoo as part of the Fair Sculpture project by the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki). The project aims to reach children and young people who usually do not have the opportunity to meet professional artists or take part in cultural events. The residency also provided the participating artists with the chance to create art in a dynamic learning environment.
In summer 2024, Uniarts Helsinki launched an open call for applications for residencies at Matinkylän lukio and Viherlaakson lukio upper secondary schools, aimed at alumni of the Academy of Fine Arts. The two upper secondary schools were selected as residency locations due to their visual arts programmes. Iiri Poteri and Thomas Westphal were chosen as resident artists and began their work at the upper secondary schools in early September. During the approximately two-and-a-half-month residency, each artist was provided with a workspace at their respective upper secondary school, which served as their primary base of operations. The artists had to be regularly present at the upper secondary school and were encouraged to collaborate with the upper secondary school in ways agreed upon with staff. However, the primary concept was for the artist to be present at the upper secondary school in their professional role as an artist.
Mutual inspiration
Iiri Poteri, who worked at Matinkylän lukio upper secondary school during the autumn term, is a visual artist originally from Espoo but now based in Helsinki. At Matinkylän lukio, Poteri’s work was visible in video pieces displayed on hallway information screens and in classrooms. Her artistic practice often incorporates performance, video and photographic art, in which she places herself as part of the work. Working in the upper secondary school environment was inspiring for Poteri, offering unexpected experiences to the students while allowing her to be surprised and to learn from their reactions and interpretations.
Thomas Westphal, a German-born visual artist now based in Helsinki, worked at Viherlaakson lukio upper secondary school. His work was prominently showcased to students and staff on Friday, 1 November, when he presented an interactive installation created in collaboration with his brother, Uli Westphal, in the upper school canteen’s lobby area. Westphal’s art often stems from a fascination with intriguing ideas or the awareness of insightful observations, which he then explores through arising impulses. The residency gave Westphal an opportunity to introduce perspectives from outside the upper secondary school environment in conversations with students. Presenting his artistic work in a upper secondary school setting and experiencing the students’ spontaneous responses also provided a refreshing contrast to the usual audiences for visual art.
Wonder, encounters and a break from school routine
Westphal took on an advisory role in art lessons, supporting students with their artistic projects, including a video project course for students. Meanwhile, Poteri organised performances in the upper secondary school premises and led creative drawing workshops. The presence of professional artists successfully disrupted the routines of upper secondary school life, bringing creative thinking and artistic ability into the daily lives of students and staff alike.
The artists’ work sparked curiosity and discussions among the students. One Matinkylän lukio student commented that Poteri’s style of work “tickled the brain”, while a Viherlaakson lukio student expressed fascination with the technical details of Westphal’s installation. During the residencies, students became more familiar with the work and possibilities of professional artists. Some students also gained a clearer understanding of further studies and career opportunities in the visual arts:
- "It was at least nice to hear about the possibilities for further studies, because it was a bit like that when you are so uncertain about where I will go after this and what I will do or what I will aim for, so it is so encouraging to hear that there is a career option in it (art) and that you can study it somewhere."
Both the artists and the schools’ principals agreed that the residency experiment was a success. All parties noted, however, that the residency period should ideally be longer, as it takes time for the artists to integrate into the upper secondary school’s rhythm and community. Over the two-and-a-half-month residency, Poteri and Westphal discovered creative ways to connect with students. The timing of the residency coinciding with Halloween brought artistic activities closer to the students. At the request of the student council, Westphal created a Halloween-themed piece to brighten up the students’ recreational space, while Poteri collaborated with visual arts students to decorate the school lobby with Halloween-inspired lighting and decorations.
Espoo works closely with the University of the Arts Helsinki
The residency initiative was made possible by the University of the Arts Helsinki, the principals and communities of the upper secondary schools, as well as the City Espoo’s Cultural Services. Cultural Services worked closely with Uniarts Helsinki throughout 2024 to support the activities of the Fair Sculpture project for upper secondary students. Earlier in spring 2024, twelve students from Espoo’s upper secondary schools and vocational institutions took part in evening art workshops at the Academy of Fine Arts’ premises in Sörnäinen. The students spent one evening a week exploring the facilities and various visual art techniques and worked on their own projects using methods of their choice under the guidance of professional visual artists.