Arja’s Satumaa

The old village school transformed into an artist’s home and studio, which now, in almost its original state, provides the setting for Story Villa. Arja’s ”Satumaa” (Fairyland) became Story Villa Heinävaara, extending a warm welcome to artists from all fields to immerse themselves in the ambiance of this home of art.

Under Arja’s care, the rugged schoolyard blossomed into a lush garden. If you visit the residency in the spring, you’ll witness the awakening of the trees and shrubs in the courtyard. During the summer, the garden offers shady resting spots beneath the foliage. The aromatic herbs in the garden plot and the greenhouse, crafted from the school’s old windows, provide a pleasant sanctuary on rainy days. As autumn arrives, you can pick fruits from the apple and plum trees or gather berries from the bushes in the garden. In winter, the landscape turns white with snow, which may surprise those unfamiliar with a genuine frosty winter.

Visual artist Arja Valkonen-Goldblatt:

”In 1998, I rented one classroom as my workspace in the recently closed school in Heinävaara. I had no idea then that after a couple of years, through many twists and turns, we would own the school. We named the place Satumaa (the land of fairytales). I realized that it was exactly what I had been looking for in terms of living and working.

Now in retrospect, I can say that nowhere else could I have created the works that were made during the twenty years in my light-filled studio atop Heinävaara. The Satumaa inside me still affects me.

The Story Villa artist residence has realized my dream of continuing the use the Old School. I hope that as many artists as possible can experience the unique working and living environment in the residence.”