The environmental art path Pikinen Poloku, which will be implemented for the eighth time, will be open from June 10 to September 30, 2026. On the opening day, the Mennäänkö mettään? Art in the Woods? seminar will also be organized.
In the summer of 2026, you can experience around twenty new artworks on the Pikisaari environmental art path in Oulu, which winds its way along the beaches and forests. The exhibition will be preceded by an environmental art seminar on the opening afternoon, Mennäänkö mettään? Art in the Woods?, which will feature the exhibition’s guest artists Masami Aihara from Japan, Jaakko Pernu from Kälviä and Jane Remm from Estonia. The path’s fourth guest artist is Lucia Horňáková Černayová from Slovakia.
In the seminar to be held on the opening day of the Pikinen Poloku on 10 June at 2:45–4:30 pm, international guest artists will talk about environmental art from their countries. At the same time, understanding of the nature and possibilities of environmental art will be deepened. This is the third time that the seminar, which is open to the public and free of charge, has been held. The main language of the seminar is English. Registration link and detailed program: vanhavillatehdas.fi/mennaankomettaan
The opening of Pikinen Poloku 2026 will be celebrated on June 10th at 6:00 PM. The Oulu Cultural Foundation’s greetings will be delivered by Communications and Marketing Manager Annu Höttönen. The opening will feature folk music band Otra. The opening will be followed by the Voyage band playing in Mallassauna at 8:00 PM. Free admission, no registration required.
The path starts at Sakari Matinlauri’s Sculpture Park and continues to Korkeasaarensillat
This year, the first destination of the Pikinen Polo is the sculpture park of sculptor Sakari Matinlauri in the immediate vicinity of the artist’s studio in the courtyard of Pikisaartie 17. The constantly changing ensemble, built from Matinlauri’s metal sculptures over the years, delights passersby.
As usual, the other works on the path can be found on the beach path between the Old Woolen Mill yard and the Korkeasaarensilta Bridge. Including the sculpture park, you can experience 18 works of art or work ensembles by artists and artist groups working in Pikisaari, as well as domestic and foreign guest artists.
The entire art path is about a kilometer long, barrier-free, open to everyone and free of charge.
Multi-art and guided tours
Multi-art is visible in many ways in this summer’s exhibition. Japanese guest artist Masami Aihara is organizing the Kielimuuri – Language Barrier workshop from 11 to 15 June. The workshop is aimed at anyone interested in the connections between Japanese and Finnish culture. This workshop will be organized at the premises of the Old Woolen Mill (Pikisaarentie 17, 2nd floor), and is free of charge. The workshop is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, except on Thursday 11 June. 11 am–3 pm. Participation lasts approximately 10–30 minutes, no registration is required.
Music and visual arts also meet on the trail. At the opening on 10 June, the folk music band Otra will perform alongside Jane Remmi’s work. The Linko band will revive Sakari Matinlauri’s workshop on 29 June and on 10 August, the vocal group Kaarne will improvise around the various works of the Pikinen Trail, singing their praises.
During the summer, as in previous years, a nature guide will be organised on 9 August in collaboration with the Oulu branch of the Finnish Nature Conservation Union. Pikinen Poloku wants to respect and highlight the unique natural and cultural environment of Pikisaari.
Guided art tours will be organised during Pikifest on 4 July and in connection with Designtori on Saturday 22 August. A special tour for school children can be booked in advance on 3 September.
Pikinen Poloku contributes to strengthening the importance of Pikisaari as a locally and nationally known cultural island and a hub for the arts and creative industries. The Vanhan Villatehdaan artist community is part of the Pikisaari Cultural Factory, where a large number of professional artists and cultural workers work. Pikinen Poloku is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program.
Environmental art takes over the city
The growing importance of environmental art can be seen in the Oulu region and in the events of the Capital of Culture year in summer 2026. The Pikinen Poloku works, located on the Pikisaari coastal path, are compact and easy to reach, and like environmental art events, offer many possible art experiences. The works appear in different ways throughout the summer as the light, time of day and weather change.
Through art, the Pikisaari coastal area, which is popular with Oulu residents and tourists, can be seen in new ways, quickly passing by but also by pausing and stopping. An interaction is created between the location and the viewer, which can also form new place-specific memories and stories. The island’s industrial history and cultural heritage are intertwined with the present through art.
Artists of the Pikinen Poloku 2026:
Masami Aihara, Anni Arffman, Lucia Horňáková Černayová,, Jari Huhta, Helena Kaikkonen, Leena Kangas, Helena Kankaansyrjä, Pirjo Lempeä, Sakari Matinlauri & Ari Järvinen, Karoliina Niemelä, Jaakko Pernu, Jyrki Poussu & Sirja-Erika Virpikari, Päivi Pussila, Lauri Rankka, Jane Remm, Kari Södö, Raimo Törhönen
Pikinen Poloku website: vanhavillatehdas.fi/pikinenpoloku2026
Pikinen Poloku group on Facebook: fb.com/groups/pikinenpoloku
Vanha Villatehdas and Pikinen Poloku on Instagram: instagram.com/vanhavillatehdas
More information
Pikinen Poloku is organized by Vanha Villatehdas ry
Heikki Timonen, producer, 050 306 5026
Leena Kangas, visual artist, 044 560 0698
Henna Raitala, graphic designer, 040 727 0941
The Pikinen Poloku environmental art trail and the Mennäänkö mettään? Art in the Woods? environmental art seminar are part of the Oulu2026 Capital of Culture year program.
