Open House Day at the Saari Residence on Saturday, 18 April 2026, from noon to 3 p.m.

Saari Residence opens its doors to the public on Saturday, 18 April, 12–3 p.m.

Saaren kartano (Saari Manor)
Saaren rantatie 21
23140 Hietamäki

From 12 p.m. onwards, visitors can explore behind the scenes of the residency across the manor and its grounds.

Some of the artists currently in residence will open their studio doors, and visitors can also explore the barn building, used as artists’ workspaces before its renovation begins this summer, and view plans for the refurbishment.

In a workshop led by community artist Pia Bartsch, you can create swallow-themed postcards. As part of the workshop, Raimo Henriksson (Puupioni) will talk about swallows and guide visitors to see the swallow hotels he has built around the manor grounds. These structures aim to provide improved nesting opportunities for endangered swallows.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to build birdhouses for their own gardens under the guidance of the Mynämäki Region Nature Conservation Association.

In addition, the upper floor of the main building will be open for visitors to explore the artists’ working spaces.

Refreshments will be available, provided by the Mietoinen Martha Association.

During the day, you can also enjoy a walk in the beautiful riverside landscape and explore the nearby Culture Trail.

Free bus transport will be organised from the centre of Mynämäki via Asemantie, Tavastila and Pyhe to Saari Manor and back.

The entire event is free and open to all.

Event page on Facebook

Preliminary Programme

EXPLORE THE ARTISTS’ WORK
Meet the artists working in residence. Some will open their workspaces to visitors. Studios are located in both the Barn and the upper floor of the main building.

BARN WORKSPACE RENOVATION AND PLANS
Explore the Barn before renovation begins this summer and view plans for the new spaces. Architectural drawings and plans by Pihlmann Architects will be on display.

SWALLOW POSTCARD WORKSHOP
Create postcards inspired by swallows—endangered birds that are a cherished sign of summer. Community artist Pia Bartsch leads the workshop.

GUIDED TOUR OF SWALLOW NEST STRUCTURES
Alongside the postcard workshop, Raimo Henriksson from Puupioni will talk about swallows and guide visitors to the swallow hotels installed around the manor grounds. Due to the renovation, alternative nesting sites are needed, and structures suitable for different swallow species have been installed.

BIRDHOUSE WORKSHOP
Build your own birdhouse with guidance from the Mynämäki Region Nature Conservation Association. The workshop is free and open throughout the event.

REFRESHMENTS
Enjoy freshly baked pastries from the Mietoinen Martha Association, with coffee, tea, or juice, in the main building.

FAMILY ROOM
A space is available for families with young children, including facilities for breastfeeding, a changing table, a microwave, and a toilet. 

Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Limited Parking Capacity

Due to the ongoing renovation, parking is limited (approx. 20 cars). We recommend shared transport or arriving by bicycle.

Transportation from Mynämäki

We will organise two free transportations from the Mynämäki bus station to Saari Manor and back (via Asemantie, Tavastila, Mietoinen Church and Pyhe). Please contact us at saari@koneensaatio.fi if you would like to register for the transportation.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION:

• The event has several different spaces: the main building, the Barn, and the old laundry house-
• The first floor of the main building is accessible. The accessible entrance with a wheelchair platform lift is located around the corner from the main entrance.
• There is no induction loop on the premises.
• There is an accessible toilet in the building.
• The basement of the main building and the top floor are not barrier-free.
• Jacob’s Barn is accessible.
• The distance between the accessible parking space and the main building’s accessible entrance is approximately 100 m.
• The footpaths in the area are mainly gravel and sand. The road between the Barn and the main building is gravel. There is a hill along the way.
• The Culture Trail is a gravelled path about 500 metres long. There are elevation changes along the trail, which means it is not accessible independently, for example, by wheelchair.
• If you have any questions or requests regarding accessibility, please get in touch with Saari Residence at saari @ koneensaatio.fi or tel. +358 44 350 0236 (residency hostess Iiris Lahti).
• The event will follow the Kone Foundation’s principles of a safer space.