The Adamson-Eric Museum exhibits the works of Estonian artist Adamson-Eric (1902-1968). The museum was opened in 1983 by his wife, who donated the works after his death. He was one of the most respected Estonian artists, active not only as a painter but also in applied arts and design. In the permanent exhibition, visitors can view his works, including paintings, ceramics, and textile art, along with the development of Estonian art. The museum also holds two to three special exhibitions each year, and has held nine exhibitions focusing on Japanese art, including kimono.
Impressive Collections in a Heartwarming Atmosphere
I was surprised to see not only paintings but also a wide range of art works, including ceramics and textiles, on display. The museum does not fit the stereotype of a museum that only exhibits paintings, but rather exists as if it blends into the old city, and the walls are bright and colorful, creating a relaxing and heartwarming atmosphere that makes everyone feel warm and relaxed. I was particularly impressed by his works after he became ill. He has shifted from realistic to abstract paintings, and I felt as if I could see the root of his art. I was surprised at the museum staff's explanation about his relationship with Japan, and at the same time, I was happy to know that the beauty of Japanese art, such as the kimono, is being conveyed to the people of Estonia.
Learning Opportunities and the Possibilities of art for All
The Adamson-Eric Museum creates learning opportunities for children and adults by offering workshops, lectures, and learning programs to expose children and the community to art. The place where we talked to the staff was a place where workshops are usually held, so many of the materials used for production were on display. The idea of holding a workshop in a museum was fresh, and I felt that it was meaningful not only to "see" but also to “create” with one's own hands according to one's own sensibilities. When we visited the museum, bag designs were on display, some beautifully colored, some with cloth and string attached, and a variety of unique works. The idea of actually attaching cloth or string to paper had never occurred to me, and I found myself assuming that paper was something to be colored in with pens.
In fact, three to four school groups a week visit the museum, and the students use worksheets to visit the exhibits and participate in hands-on workshops related to the exhibits. This museum holds meetings with art teachers whenever there is an exhibit, and when planning programs for children, they make an effort to connect the arts with historical or political events in relation to the school curriculum. In my own experience, I have the impression that the visits to such facilities that I have experienced in classes were completed within the school, as the school decided which subjects would be covered in the class and how the students would reflect on the experience. In Estonia 5,000 children a year can visit the museum for free with the help of the government. I found that instead of schools providing all the opportunities for learning, institutions that can give diverse values outside of school are more actively involved in the learning process. Also, the fact that the museum's online lessons and video lectures were also provided to schools under the COVID-19 showed that the positive approach to school remained constant, even if face-to-face activities became more difficult. In addition to these partnerships with elementary schools, kindergartens, and educators, there are also spaces beyond the school setting that are open to a wide variety of people, such as tours for families, art camps during vacations, and art therapy for the elderly and children with disabilities. Recently, they have offered an art therapy program in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of Culture.
Local museums are always faced with financial challenges and difficulties in maintaining their operations. Nevertheless, this museum continues to preserve the valuable works of art donated to it and introduce new art to the public. The museum also contributes to enhancing and spreading the value of art itself by supporting young artists. Moreover, the museum has been proactive in its efforts to engage with a diverse range of people and take on the challenge of new activities. I found that this is why this museum is taking full advantage of the potential of art as education and therapy.
Art and Sustainability
We asked the person who introduced us to the exhibits and the museum "What does sustainability mean to you?”. She answered "cultural values" as well as the words "climate change" and "equal rights". The Estonian Education Strategy 2021-2035 includes “the preservation of cultural spaces” in addition to the SDGs. Art is something that can be shared by everyone through seeing and feeling, even if it is not communicated in words. Estonians' awareness of nature and their sense of value for the culture, objects, and spaces that have survived may be nurtured in such museums, leading to the development of people who think about sustainability.