I am a member of Modus ry, an arts and crafts association in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland. Modus has around 80 members working across a wide range of fields within crafts and design. The association is also active in various projects and international mobility.

I recently took part in a study visit to Center Rog in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Center Rog is a public space open to anyone interested in making and creating. You can participate in workshops in all nine labs, become a member, and use the facilities and equipment to work on your own projects.

Our visit lasted only two days, but during those days I kept thinking that something similar is missing in Finland. We have excellent craft and design schools, but they are primarily intended for students. At Center Rog, the labs are open every day, and there is a mentor available to help if you need guidance with your own project.

I was especially impressed by the fact that this kind of facility is supported by the City of Ljubljana. It is wonderful to see public funding being used to create an accessible space where people can learn, experiment, share skills and simply make things. During our visit to Škofja Loka, we heard that some traditional craft skills were lost or neglected during the Yugoslav period. This made me realize how important places like Center Rog can be in bringing these skills back, passing them on to new generations, and keeping craft traditions alive.

If you are a craftsperson or designer, I warmly recommend applying for a residency at Center Rog. The facilities and labs were in excellent condition, and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming.

A big thank you to Erasmus+ for making this experience possible. I truly hope I will have the opportunity to visit Center Rog again someday!