The Arabia Art Department Society (Arabian Taideosastoyhdistys) was founded in 2003 to continue the legacy of the Arabia factory’s art department, originally established in the 1930s. It played a key role in the development of Finnish ceramic art. Founding members include well-known designers such as Heljä Liukko-Sundström, Heikki Orvola, and Kati Tuominen-Niittylä.
The society’s artists work in the historic Arabia factory building in Helsinki, in studios located on the 8th floor of the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre, within the Arabia 135 creative block. The association organizes exhibitions, publishes collections, and participates in public art projects.
Currently, eleven artists work at the Arabia Art Department Society: Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Pekka Paikkari, Sakari Kannosto, Veera Kulju, Marianne Huotari, Caroline Slotte, Kristina Riska, Heini Riitahuhta, Jasmin Anoschkin, Kim Simonsson and Heikki Orvola.
More information: arabiaartdepartmentsociety.com