From a village school to an international residency center, the Arteles buildings have long been a place for learning, discovery and exchange. Since 2010, Arteles has given this setting a new purpose as a meeting place for artists, writers and creative professionals from around the world. The former Haukijärvi school For more than a century, the site served as the Haukijärvi village school. Alongside its educational role, the school was a gathering place for the surrounding community, hosting celebrations, music and cultural activities. It also housed a village library, which remained in use until the 1970s. Generations of pupils studied here, with teachers living in apartments within the school buildings. The school closed in the summer of 2009, when its pupils transferred to a larger school. Arteles: 2010 – present Arteles Creative Center was founded in 2010 by artists Teemu Räsänen, Pekka Ruuska and Inga Mustakallio, with the idea of providing artists, writers and creative professionals with time, space and freedom to explore. The first residents arrived in June that year. Since the beginning of 2013, following Ruuska and Mustakallio’s departure, Räsänen has held sole responsibility for the direction and development of Arteles. During this time, Arteles has developed its thematic residency programs, bringing together creative practice, mindfulness and a holistic approach to supporting artists, writers and creative professionals across disciplines. This approach considers creativity alongside personal growth and well-being, providing room for experimentation and new directions in both work and life. By the end of 2025, Arteles had welcomed more than 1,500 selected artists and creative professionals from over 60 countries. Their different disciplines, experiences and perspectives have shaped an international community whose connections extend beyond the time spent at the center. Acknowledgements We are grateful to the many people who have helped build and sustain Arteles along the way. Among them are Amber Harmon and Michele Rolstone, who first came to Arteles as residents, later returned as assistants and have been members of staff since 2024. We also thank former staff members Reetta Pekkanen and Ida Mantere, and recognise the valuable voluntary work of Erkki and Ritva Räsänen. Arteles alumni, including Hélène Baril, Karel Verbruggen, Olli Horttana, Franziska Walther and many others, have generously given their time and effort. Together, these contributions have helped shape the center’s development. Our gratitude extends to the residents, friends, donors and funding bodies who have supported Arteles over the years, including the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Municipality of Hämeenkyrö.

A Nobel Connection — F.E. Sillanpää Nobel laureate F. E. Sillanpää attended Haukijärvi village school as a child. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1939, he became known for his portrayals of rural Finnish life and the relationship between people and nature. His school years are commemorated by a relief by sculptor Hannele Kylänpää on the Arteles building. The Origins of the buildings In 1901, Sigrid Richter donated land for a school in Haukijärvi. The first school building was completed the following year, and a second followed in 1930s. Both included apartments for the teachers who worked there.