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Exhibitions and events

The exhibitions in the K.H.Renlund Museum are aimed at giving visitors a versatile image of the cultural history and art in Kokkola and Central Ostrobothnia. The museum’s own collections form the basis for the exhibitions and display material that strengthen the urban identity of the local residents in Kokkola. The K.H.Renlund Museum hosts 5–7 changing exhibitions every year, with emphasis on modern (contemporary) art and Finnish contemporary folk art (ITE). The museum’s own collections shed light on the local cultural history and art with the help of different themes and phenomena.

Artwork: Conrad Sovelius, Södra delen af Gamla Karleby Stad från öster, 1876, K.H.Renlund Museum

Exhibitions

Exhibitions

  • 26.1.–7.4.2024
    Roos House, Pitkänsillankatu 39, Kokkola
    Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–16:00, Thu 11:00–18:00

    Anni Laukka’s touching works about the war in Ukraine and children in the midst of the war. Find out more!

  • 1.3.–26.5.2024
    Exhibition Hall, Pitkänsillankatu 28, Kokkola 
    Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11–16, Thu 11–18

    Hanna Viitala’s and K. Tschährä’s exhibition is the first joint exhibition by these two visionary artists. The works presented in the exhibition ‘Between the worlds’ emerge from the subconscious and glimpses into parallel worlds. Hanna Viitala searches for the eternal myths of women in creation stories and K. Tschährä decodes shaman codes through her spirit animals. 

     

  • The Roos House, Pitkänsillankatu 39, Kokkola
    Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–16:00, Thu 11:00–18:00

    The Roos House was built in 1813 as a residence for merchant Andreas Roos and his family. Today, the building serves as the exhibition space for the K.H.Renlund museum. Upstairs, visitors can get a glimpse of 19th century life in Kokkola and learn about the Roos family. Another important theme in the exhibition is Karl Herman Renlund. The museum displays, for example, well-known artworks from the Golden Age of Finnish Art, donated to the museum by Renlund.

    A Glimpse into the 19th Century

    The exhibition on display on the top floor of the Roos House provides visitors with a glimpse into the glory days of Kokkola in the 19th century. Back then, the upstairs of the most prosperous building in the city was already serving as a reception and party venue. It was also the place where the Russian emperor Alexander I was greeted when he visited Kokkola in 1819.
    In contrast, the ground floor of the house was used as living quarters. It housed the trade business of Andreas Roos as well as the Roos family with all of ten children.

    Collection donated by K.H.Renlund

    Karl Herman Renlund (1850–1908), born as a seafarer’s son in Kokkola, progressed from a hardware business errand boy to a prominent businessman and gathered a sizeable fortune during his lifetime. Moreover, he held significant social positions, such as representing the bourgeoise movement of Helsinki and later of Kokkola in the legislative assembly (Diet) of Finland. Renlund was a social and culture-loving man with a wide circle of friends, including Jean Sibelius and Pekka Halonen.
    The top floor of the Roos House displays renowned artworks from the Golden Age of Finnish Art, donated to the museum by K.H.Renlund. The collection includes pieces from artists such as Beda Stjernschantz, Magnus Enckell, Pekka Halonen and Viktor Westerholm, and it also depicts the personal history of Karl Herman Renlund.

    Enquiries: Mon-fri from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tel +358447809477. On sat-sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m general questions tel +358408065165

  • Pitkänsillankatu 28, Kokkola
    Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11–16, Thu 11–18

    The Lassander House was originally built in 1748 on Kustaa Aadolfinkatu street, from where it was later moved to the Museum Quarter. The house has served as the home of, for example, the merchant families of Lassander and Ahla. Today, the Lassander House is furnished and decorated like a home of a 18th century merchant family, and it also provides an introduction to the history of trade and seafaring.

    Enquiries: Mon-fri from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tel +358447809476. On sat-sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m general questions tel +358408065164

  • Pitkänsillankatu 28, Kokkola
    Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11–16, Thu 11–18

    The exhibition Fortune Favors the Brave offers glimpses of and scenes from the colorful history of Kokkola, where the bold and resourceful residents of Kokkola play the leading roles. Narrators are newcomers and old families of Kokkola. The exhibition is built around themes that give a voice to the materials gathered from the Museum’s collections and documents: pioneers, rescuers, defenders, builders, talents and entrepreneurs. The exhibition visitors can experience views of everyday life.

    The exhibition is in Finnish and Swedish.

    Enquiries: Mon-fri from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tel +358447809476. On sat-sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m general questions tel +358408065164

    Photo: K.H.Renlund Museum, Photo Collections  

  • 2023
    17.3.–28.5.2023 Arjen merkintöjä, Sari Koski-Vähälä
    3.2-30.4.2023 Beethovenin hevonen, Sami Funke
    14.10.2022-8.1.2023 Puu taiteessa, Tiina Laasonen, Jenni Tieaho, Hanna Vahvaselkä,
    Anniina Vainionpää and Camilla Vuorenmaa

    2022
    25.5.-25.9.2022, Satumaista! Kerttu Meriläinen silhouettes
    3.6.-31.8.2022, Isät ja pojat, Esa Riippa, Riku Riippa, Clas-Olav Slotte, Joel Slotte
    1.4. –7.5.2022 Aika juhlia, Kuvataidekoulu 40 vuotta
    11.3.-30.4.2022 Tapoja olla, Tero Annanolli, Reetta Breilin, Jenni Haili,
    Pauliina Mäkelä, Tuulia Penttilä ja Sanni Salmela
    18.6.2020-20.2.2022, Onni suosii rohkeaa

    2021
    3.6.-10.10.2021, ITE pilvessä
    4.3.-9.5.2021, Ykspihlaja project
    10.12.2020-31.1.2021, Seascapes, Kivistö & Leppisaari

    2020
    26.9.-29.11.2020, 5  MUIJAA
    11.6.-16.9.2020, Pohjoismaisen taidekoulun alumninäyttely
    13.2.-26.4.2020, ITE-taiteen juhlanäyttely
    13.2.-5.4.2020, Pehmeetä touhua
    21.11.2019-19.1.2020, 5 ÄIJÄÄ
    7.10.-26.1.2020, Dialogeja kokoelmista

    2019
    20.6.-27.10.2019, Wanted ITE
    25.4.-22.9.2019, Kesä kuvin, Museon omista kokoelmista
    21.2.-2.6.2019, Maan aika, Jyrki Portin
    24.1.-24.3.2019, Norsunluutornin purkajat, Valentina Näsi ja Seppo Kalliokoski

    2018
    15.11.2018-3.2.2019, Tarinoita Slovakiasta ja Suomesta-Ondrej Šteberl & Emma Helle
    8.10.2018-2.1.2019, Håkan Ahlnäs, Elämä
    24.5.-30.9.2018, Hepeneet, Vaatekaapin kätköistä
    15.3.-21.10.2018, ITE-Pienoismaailmat
    9.3.-15.4.2018, Rune Snellman, Morpheus – Kaksi kaupunkia

    2017
    1.12.2017–19.2.2018, Avaritia & Eppur Si Muove
    19.10.2017-18.2.2018, Transitions of energy
    12.10.-19.11.2017, Owe Åsvik, retrospektiivi
    8.6.–24.9.2017, Sään tuntu, Veikko Vionojan maalauksia
    18.5.-17.9.2017, ITEpäisyys
    2.5.-4.6. 2017, Klassikot kiertueella, Toipilas
    7.–28.4.2017, Kokkolan lasten ja nuorten kuvataidekoulu 35-juhlavuosinäyttely

     

Events

The K.H.Renlund Museum offers its visitors an abundant selection of different events and experiences. These include seminars with visiting specialists as well as different family events. Many of the events have already become a part of the local traditions, in addition to which the visitors get to enjoy events and programme related to the theme of the changing exhibitions. The events hosted by the museum are always open to all free of charge.

  • The musical drama produced by KuoroKokkola ry opens on April 20 in the Roos House. Find out more!