Art Center Ahjo: Sysi-Space: Joensuu Art Association

Join us and let's make January a month of celebration together.

The Joensuu Artists' Association turns 80 in 2025, and we want to start the anniversary year with collaboration. January 2nd-19th, 2025, will be the celebration month at Taidekeskus Ahjo, where we offer the opportunity for art exhibitions and events in cooperation with various cultural organizations. The invitation is open for creating, presenting, speaking, being, and relaxing at Ahjo. We have also invited cultural and city decision-makers to join us as "armchair guests."

In the Sysi hall, something is happening. The walls will feature an art exhibition showcasing works from the association’s members, Riveria Outokumpu (visual expression program), visual art students, and other artists. The exhibition will evolve throughout the three weeks. Some works will only be displayed during specific events, while most will be exhibited for the entire duration. Over the three weeks, there will be performances, music, lectures on creativity, discussions, workshops (e.g., tufting, dance lessons, etc.), and more.

Cultural creators will showcase their activities at Ahjo, and something will be happening in the space. The events will be announced on the association’s Facebook event. https://www.facebook.com/events/1775890226541624/

Confirmed "Armchair Guests" discussing art and culture:

Saturday, January 11th, 13:00–14:00
Guest: Jere Penttilä, Director of Joensuu City

Sunday, January 12th, 13:00–14:00
Guest: Kimmo Nevalainen, Journalist

Tuesday, January 14th, 13:00–14:00
Guest: Krista Mikkonen, Member of Parliament and City Councilor

Wednesday, January 15th, 14:00–15:00
Guest: Markus Hirvonen, Regional Director of North Karelia

Wednesday, January 15th, 18:00–19:00
Guest: Katriina Leppänen, Cultural Director of Joensuu City

Saturday, January 18th, 13:00–14:00
Guest: Sarianne Tursas, Director of Joensuu City Theatre

Sunday, January 19th, 13:00–14:00
Guest: Hannele Autti, Cultural Expert

Other events:

Wednesday, January 8th, 12:00–19:00
Taito Pohjois-Karjala
Tuft Together – Free Workshop at Taidekeskus Ahjo
Taito Pohjois-Karjala’s Taitobussi will bring crafting joy to the Sysi Hall at Taidekeskus Ahjo on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, from 12:00 to 19:00.
In the Tuft Together workshop, participants will create a wall textile for Taitokeskus Joensuu using tufting. No prior experience with tufting is required to join. The workshop is free of charge and offers a great opportunity to explore the world of punch needle tufting. The workshop is held in a drop-in style, so no advance registration is necessary. You can participate at any time between 12:00 and 19:00 on January 8th, 2025.
Tuft Together is a collaborative project inspired by the Joensuu Artists’ Association’s 80th anniversary, in cooperation with Taito Pohjois-Karjala and Joensuu Artists’ Association.

Saturday, January 11th, 15:00–16:00
Theatre Fiasco
Celebration Coffee - An Armchair Journey to Theatres and Markets Around the World

Saturday, January 11th, 18:00–19:00
Jazz Manouche
Acoustic covers in Jazz Manouche style, with Mari Vilpponen (vocals) and Henri Pitkänen (guitar).

Sunday, January 12th, 14:15
Dance Studio Cat People, Dance Performance (about 15–20 min)
14:35–14:55 Contemporary Dance Workshop
14:55–15:15 Street Dance Workshop

Friday, January 17th, 10:00–12:00
Merja Pennanen, Performer, Director, and Community Artist
Images and Videos from her Career

Saturday, January 18th, 10:00–12:00
Merja Pennanen, Performer, Director, and Community Artist
Images and Videos from her Career

Sunday, January 19th, 10:00–12:00
Merja Pennanen, Performer, Director, and Community Artist
Images and Videos from her Career

Sunday, January 19th, 14:30–15:30
Jaap Klevering
Soundscapes from the Subconscious Tangled Roots.
The Root is like an embodiment of the subconscious. Powerful, mystical, and beautiful. The performance is entirely improvised. The style is triphop, intelligent dance music, electronica, breakbeat, ambient house, spoken word, soundscape, underground, root. It is rhythmic. It features a microphone, chaos pads, loopers, and the human voice.