Parvi

Parvi

When painter and author Iikka Hackman met picture framer Sakkari Sinnari at an open studio event, it marked the beginning of Parvi – a new art and event space in the center of Säynätsalo.

Even on the exterior façade, you can see some parts of the large-scale works by Iikka Hackman. Originally from a family of two teachers in Espoo, he had already published one novel (second was published 2023) when he moved to Säynätsalo in 2021. “Maybe it’s childhood memories of carefree summer holidays in a lakeside cabin (mökki) on an island that are coming back to life here. The lake has such a calming, almost healing presence,” says Iikka.

“I started creating large-scale works after my wife and I moved into an apartment with a 5-meter-long blank wall about ten years ago. We thought about how we could decorate it. I sketched a design, painted it on the wall – and that was the beginning. Friends saw it and wanted their own wall paintings from me.”

Soon, he began receiving commissions for commercial spaces, and today, Iikka’s wall paintings can be found in shops, offices, homes, hotels, and even the Jyväskylä train station. In his studio at Parvi, Iikka first creates a digital draft. Once approved by the client, the design is transferred to the chosen format and painted directly on-site.

“A friend of mine, for whom I painted a mural in his apartment, had to move – the artwork was left behind. Some time later, he told me he couldn’t feel truly at home without it. That was the greatest compliment, and of course, I painted a new one for him.”

In May 2025, Iikka, his wife Minna and their friends Marianna and Ville opened Anniskeluravintola PARVI in the Parvi space – a bar, gallery, and event venue. The colorful shop interior, furnished entirely with second-hand furniture, also displays some of Iikka’s works. Guests can enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mostly from regional producers, and a vibrant music selection.

The music comes from a CD player. “We asked friends and acquaintances to donate CDs. Now we have a wide selection of styles and don’t need any streaming services,” explains Iikka.

Parvi hosts a small but carefully curated monthly rotating art exhibition and offers a great venue for events. A jazz concert, a dance afternoon with Finnish tango, and a Sunday pub quiz are early efforts to establish Parvi as a lively art and cultural hub for both locals and visitors from around the world. Right next door is Sakkari’s workshop, where professional picture framing takes place.

Anniskeluravintola (technically a licensed bar-restaurant) does not have a food menu. However, guests are welcome to bring their own food or order pizza from the nearby Aalto Pizzeria. Cutlery is available at the counter.

“My dream is for Parvi to become the beginning of an artists’ colony on the islands,” says Iikka. “The unique combination of nature, the large factory building, surrounding architectural masterpieces, and a vibrant local community – along with still very attractive real estate prices – should be appealing to artists. We’re always open to new people, ideas, and exciting art projects at Parvi.”