Since 2011, the Alfred Kordelin Foundation and the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland have organised summer sculpture exhibitions in the Kultaranta garden. Beginning next summer, the exhibitions will be presented in cooperation with WAM Turku City Art Museum.
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation and the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland have signed a cooperation agreement with WAM Turku City Art Museum. Under the new cooperation agreement, WAM will take on the role of organiser of the Kultaranta sculpture exhibitions in the coming years. The exhibitions showcase contemporary Finnish sculpture in a remarkable setting – the historic Kultaranta formal garden itself is a nationally unique work of art.
“WAM specialises in contemporary art and sculpture, making it a natural partner for the exhibitions,” says Erik Båsk, Managing Director of the Alfred Kordelin Foundation. “We are delighted to collaborate with the museum’s experts and to benefit from their extensive knowledge.”
“It is a great honour for us to present exhibitions in a nationally significant environment. The Kultaranta garden in Naantali is a natural setting for WAM, the regional art museum in Southwest Finland,” says Satu Pajarre, Director of WAM.
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation and WAM are also connected through the history of Finnish art. In 1919, a bust of Alfred Kordelin was commissioned for the Kultaranta garden from the young sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen (1894–1966), who was only 25 at the time. WAM, which opened in 1967, was subsequently named after Aaltonen.
Over 40,000 visits
The Kultaranta garden is a popular summer destination. Following major renovations, it reopened to the public in June 2025, welcoming 42,000 visitors during the summer season.
In addition to guided garden tours, special art tours were offered last summer and will continue in future seasons. The garden is also open for self-guided visits on Fridays from 6 pm to 8 pm during the summer season.
Kultaranta has served as the summer residence of the President of the Republic since 1923. Businessman Alfred Kordelin (1868–1917) had Kultaranta built as his summer residence in 1913–1916. The garden was intended to be opened to the public and to host various art events in the park. The annual sculpture exhibition thus pays homage to Kordelin’s original idea and dream.
Further information
Erik Båsk
Managing Director
Alfred Kordelin Foundation
tel. +358 40 825 8071
erik.bask@kordelin.fi
Satu Pajarre
Director
WAM Turku City Art Museum
tel. +358 50 408 9659
satu.pajarre@turku.fi
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation promotes breakthroughs in society. The Foundation supports Finnish science, art and public education with more than six million euros annually. Established in 1918 based on the will of businessman Alfred Kordelin, the foundation is one of the oldest grant foundations in Finland.
WAM Turku City Art Museum is a contemporary art museum on the banks of the Aura River. Following renovation and expansion, the museum will reopen in October 2026 with exhibitions of contemporary art by both Finnish and international artists. The museum manages the City of Turku’s art collection of approximately 11,000 works. In addition, WAM serves as the regional art museum for Southwest Finland and promotes visual arts in the region.