EN / UA / FI

Community

The people, partners and friendships behind VArt.

Community

The people, partners and friendships behind VArt.

VArt has grown through the generosity, support and friendship of many people who contributed their time, knowledge, care and encouragement.

We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and helped shape the community around VArt.

Kateryna Shaulis

Co-founder & Director

Kateryna Shaulis is a cultural manager, curator, researcher and PhD in Art History. Before relocating to Finland, she headed the Department of Producing and Art Curation at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts and worked extensively in the fields of arts education, cultural management and international cooperation.

As co-founder and director of VArt, Kateryna leads the strategic development of the center and serves as Chairperson of Muurahaisenpolku ry. She oversees residency programmes, partnerships, fundraising, educational initiatives and international collaborations.

Her work focuses on creating sustainable cultural structures, supporting artists and building connections between local communities and international cultural networks.

Instagram: @artcritic_kate

Serhii Shaulis

Co-founder & Artistic Director

Serhii Shaulis is a Ukrainian sculptor, Member of the Association of Finnish Sculptors, whose practice combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic approaches. Working across sculpture, ceramics, metal casting and digital technologies, he explores themes of memory, transformation, place and human experience.

After arriving in Värtsilä as one of the first Ukrainian artists in residence, Serhii became deeply involved in developing the artistic and production infrastructure of the center.

As co-founder and Artistic Director of VArt, he is responsible for the development of workshops, production facilities and artistic programmes. His experience in sculpture, ceramics and material-based practices helps shape VArt as a place where artists can both develop ideas and realise them through making.

Instagram: @shaulissergii

Oleksandr Miroshnychenko

Co-founder & Cultural Director

Oleksandr Miroshnychenko is a Ukrainian ceramic artist and sculptor, a member of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) and Artaxis.

He first arrived in Värtsilä as a resident artist and gradually became an important contributor to the development of the VArt community. Through his extensive experience in ceramics, international exhibitions and material-based artistic practices, Oleksandr supports the development of ceramic programmes, workshops and professional networks connected to the centre.

His collaboration with VArt reflects one of the core values of the organisation: long-term relationships that grow from residency experiences into meaningful professional partnerships.

Instagram: @ceramicsoul

Karoliina Arvilommi

Founding Partner

Karoliina Arvilommi is a Finnish textile artist and cultural practitioner whose work combines traditional craft techniques with contemporary artistic approaches. Working primarily with wool and felt, she has dedicated decades to developing textile-based artistic practices and cultural initiatives in North Karelia.

For VArt, Karoliina holds a special place as the founder of the original Värtsilä residency programme. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she opened the residency to support displaced Ukrainian artists, creating a safe space for artistic work and cultural exchange.

It was through this initiative that Kateryna and Serhii Shaulis first arrived in Värtsilä. Later, Karoliina entrusted the management of the residency to Kateryna Shaulis, helping create the foundation from which VArt would emerge.

Today, Karoliina remains an important partner, advisor and member of the wider VArt community.

Instagram: @karoliina.arvilommi

Roderick Welch

Founding and Artistic Partner

Roderick Welch is a British designer, entrepreneur and long-time resident of Värtsilä.

As an active member of the local community, he has supported the development of VArt through encouragement, advice, international perspectives and a commitment to strengthening cultural connections within the region.

His involvement reflects the collaborative spirit that has shaped VArt from its earliest days and continues to contribute to the centre's growth as an international meeting place for artists and cultural practitioners.

Instagram: @rod_of_flaxwood

HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme

Institutional Partner

HIAP is one of the leading international residency organisations in Northern Europe. Through residencies, professional development programmes and international collaborations, HIAP supports artists, curators and cultural practitioners from around the world.

The partnership between VArt and HIAP has played an important role in the development of our residency programme. Through the Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (USRP), coordinated by HIAP together with a network of Finnish cultural organisations, artists have been able to live and work in Värtsilä, contributing to the growth of an international artistic community and strengthening cultural exchange between Finland and Ukraine.

For VArt, collaboration with HIAP represents not only institutional partnership but also participation in a wider international network dedicated to artistic mobility, cultural dialogue and solidarity.

Instagram: @hiap_suomenlinna

Dana Nelson

Programme Partner

Dana Nelson is the coordinator of the Ukraine Solidarity Residencies Programme (USRP) at HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme.

Since the launch of the programme in 2022, she has played a central role in building and maintaining a nationwide network of residency organisations supporting Ukrainian artists in Finland. Through her work, artists, curators and cultural practitioners have been able to continue their professional activities and develop new projects despite the challenges caused by war.

The connection between VArt and the wider USRP network has been made possible through the dedication, coordination and long-term commitment of people like Dana, whose work continues to strengthen cultural solidarity and international cooperation.

Instagram: @dananeilson_

Alyona Miroshnychenko

Artistic Partner

Alyona Miroshnychenko is a Ukrainian contemporary textile artist based in Finland.

Working primarily with Finnish wool and wet-felting techniques, she creates sculptural textile works that explore themes of memory, identity, vulnerability and transformation. Her practice bridges traditional craft knowledge and contemporary artistic expression through material experimentation and a strong connection to natural processes.

As a collaborator and partner of VArt, Alyona contributes to the development of textile and interdisciplinary artistic practices within the centre, expanding dialogue between contemporary art, craftsmanship and material-based research.

In 2026, she received a grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen Kulttuurirahasto) in recognition of her contribution to contemporary textile art.

Instagram: @miroona.art

Friends of VArt

VArt has grown through the generosity, support and friendship of many people who contributed their time, knowledge, care and encouragement. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and helped shape the community around VArt.