Art inspired by nature, personal history, and cultural heritage is bringing Finnish American artists together at the Finlandia Art Gallery from Oct. 1 to Nov. 20, where a rotating exhibit features the connections between artistic expression and Finnish American identity.
The exhibit highlights five artists: Joyce Koskenmaki, Maggie Parr, Randy Wakeham, Kayo Miwa, and Kenyon Hansen. Through their individual styles and experiences, the artists explore themes that connect their backgrounds, creative interests, and relationships with the world around them. All of these artists have connections to Finlandia University and Finnish culture. Wakeham, Hansen, and Miwa all studied under Koskenmaki when she taught art at the university, while Parr is Koskenmaki’s daughter.
For artist Joyce Koskenmaki, those connections began in childhood. Raised in a community of Finnish immigrants, Koskenmaki developed a love for art, nature and craftsmanship. “I fell in love with art as a child,” Koskenmaki said. She recalled discovering her ability to draw in third grade and continuing to create art as a way of commenting on the world and imagining it differently. Another inspiration for her work was when her mother would tell her stories about forest spirits.
The relationship between nature and cultural memory is one example of how personal experiences can influence artistic expression. For Koskenmaki, the traditions passed down through her family remain connected to the work she creates today.
For artist Maggie Parr, she always knew she was going to be an artist, though she chose to work towards illustration instead. “I got into art because it was always in the house. Instead of putting me and my brother in front of the T.V., mom would give us arts and crafts projects to keep us busy. So, I was drawing and creating from a very young age.” Parr loves telling stories with her work and gets inspiration from any type of narratives.
Parr spent many years as a Disney Imagineer. In the late 1990s, while creating art for Tokyo DisneySea, she began painting Disney Characters into famous works of art. Over time, she exhibited her paintings, participated in signing events, and created similar works for theme parks and cruise ships around the world. She now creates private commissions for clients.
Her piece “Renaissance Rabbit” continues that tradition while departing from her earlier use of Disney characters. Parr also recognizes the influence of her Finnish American background. She said being half-Finnish has shaped her appreciation for nature and her willingness to work hard.
For Koskenmaki, the heritage shared through art carries a message that reaches beyond national identity. She said the five artists in the exhibition express a spirit of love and positivity through their work, something she believes is especially meaningful during divisive times.
The gallery is part of the Finnish American Heritage Center, a community institution dedicated to preserving Finnish American culture while connecting it to contemporary life. The center houses the Finnish Art Gallery, the Finnish American Report, and a Finnish American Archive. It also hosts community events throughout the year, including concerts, dances, workshops, lectures, book signings, markets, and cultural celebrations. Rather than focusing on a single activity, the center serves as a gathering place for the community and a bridge between Finnish American heritage and the wider public.
Through its exhibitions and community programming, the Finlandia Art Gallery offers visitors an opportunity to explore how heritage, nature, and storytelling influence artistic expression. The work of the featured artists demonstrates that cultural traditions do not remain confined to the past; they continue to evolve through the people who carry them forward.
