Music and laughter echo through the summer evening in Kalasatama. A cheerful crowd gathers in the courtyard of the Ars Longa Artists’ House, eager to see the building’s brand-new art gallery. A duo dressed in regal attire, specifically artists Ritva Harle and Jari Järnström, finally reveal the gallery’s name: Longa.
A long queue snakes at the gallery’s door.
“Can we go in yet?”
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the gallery also has strict safety measures in place. Only ten visitors are allowed in at a time.
Inside, it is bright and airy. Works by Ars Longa artists are on display: paintings, photographic art, graphics, ceramics, and textile works.
“How beautiful. Take a picture of me in front of it!”
The new Ars Longa Artists’ House, completed on Tukkutorinkuja in Kalasatama, welcomed its residents in February of this year. Fifty-six visual artists, writers, and designers live and work in the building, which is owned by artist communities.
Ars Longa is part of the Viehe block, which offers apartments for students, young people, and artists.
The opening exhibition of Art Gallery Longa is open from June 13 to July 5, 2020, Wed-Fri 12 PM–6 PM, Sat-Sun 12 PM–4 PM at Tukkutorinkuja 6, Helsinki.
