Lokal Team
Lokal’s journey, which began in 2012, continues true to its essence in bringing forth local artwork and craftsmanship. To value timeless beauty, sustainable design and most importantly, to nurture real community, are the things at the forefront of our activity. We would like to tell you more about who we are;
Katja Hagelstam
Lokal’s Founder and Curator
Katja is the original founder and heart of Lokal. She looks after the aesthetic entirety, photographs all the exhibitions and objects, and also plays a big part in Lokal’s daily operations.
“Art can help identify feelings; it touches and with it we can be touched. In handwork, a handprint is like a literal touch from one person to another; the craftsman has touched every stitch. Through art we can touch each other.”
Katja always attracts surprising, wonderful and funny encounters, both at home and at Lokal. She relaxes by meditating and cleaning.
katja.hagelstam@lokalhelsinki.com
Kati Ruohomäki
Lokal Gallery Producer and Co-ordinator
Kati is a visual artist and an astrologer and has been taking good care of Lokal Gallery’s day-to-day operations for several years now.
“For me art is like breathing, the way I am in life; how I think, how I move, how I deal with all matters and feelings. Sometimes I like it more, sometimes I fight against it, but the essence of that way of being seems to always stay.”
Kati is a Nordic walking activist by heart, and feels a deep connection to all-white moose.
kati.ruohomaki@lokalhelsinki.com
Ananya Tanttu
Lokal’s Media Producer & Project Assistant
Ananya is a photography and moving image artist. Within Lokal, she focuses on managing Lokal’s media and producing original video and editorial content.
“Doing things with sincerity, from the heart, and by hand, seems like something vital to me. Creative expression, especially when given space and sensory form, is what silently connects us to one another, even in the midst of incessant noise.”
Ananya takes comfort in being in natural water bodies, contemplates in forests and finds inspiration in the company of her friends.
ananya.tanttu@lokalhelsinki.com
Meena Kaunisto
Lokal’s Advisor
Meena is a multidisciplinary professional having strong ties to various creative fields in an international context.
“If you ask me for a motto, I will say “Cook and live without fear”. Even in Lokal, I hope to be able to “cook” something interesting and gratifying together with the rest of the team and the artists.”
In her spare time, Meena really enjoys cooking for family and friends.
meena.kaunisto@lokalhelsinki.com
Hanni Koroma
Lokal’s Interior Architect and Exhibition Designer
Hanni is an interior architect, and has her own studio in Kruununhaka. Hanni has designed the premises of Lokal, the colour scheme and does the exhibition architecture.
“I strive for beauty and harmony. We do get used to ugliness, but beauty always excites us.”
Hanni makes dandelion capers, spruce cone marmalade, and potatoes in folded lady’s mantle leaves.
Piëtke Visser
Lokal’s Visual Brand and Communication Designer
Pietke is an awarded creative director and communication designer, and has shaped and contributed to Lokal’s visual identity ever since our foundation year.
“I believe design is visual optimism. It tries to show us better ways and gives us chances to improve. Done alone none of this is much fun, it is the possibility to work in a like-minded community that is valuable and truly rewarding.”
Piëtke loves naming colours, and sees it as a limitless pursuit that delves into memories and engages all the senses. In that same vein, she believes in the restorative power of seasonal fruit, in particular the mangoes and peaches from her grandmother’s garden.
Freia Lindholm
Lokal’s Sales Manager
Freia is a student of visual marketing. She has years of experience in designing and selling fixed furniture. Now Freia is responsible for developing Lokal’s sales and B2B projects.
“I enjoy beautiful things and I try to find beauty in surprising places.”
In her free time, Freia can be found immersed in interior design magazines or visiting art museums. She often has an old film camera hanging around her neck and Italian disco playing in her headphones.
freia.lindholm@lokalhelsinki.com
Malika Saddok
Lokal’s Gallery Intern
Malika is a final-year furniture design student whose work radiates playfulness, bold color, and organic forms. She is fascinated by how everyday objects can be transformed into sculptural, joyful pieces that evoke emotion.
“Design is both instinct and necessity for me. There is always a new idea unfolding, a small experiment in turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.”
In her free time, Malika retreats to nature, enjoys cabin life, and cherishes moments with friends. She loves movement, sports, and everything that brings joy and playfulness to everyday life.
Lokal’s journey, which began in 2012, continues true to its essence in bringing forth local artwork and craftsmanship. To value timeless beauty, sustainable design and most importantly, to nurture real community, are the things at the forefront of our activity. We would like to tell you more about who we are;
Katja Hagelstam
Lokal’s Founder and CEO
Katja is the original founder and heart of Lokal. She looks after the visual entirety, photographs all the exhibitions and objects, and also plays a big part in Lokal’s daily operations.
“Art can help identify feelings; it touches and with it we can be touched. In handwork, a handprint is like a literal touch from one person to another; the craftsman has touched every stitch. Through art we can touch each other.”
Katja always attracts surprising, wonderful and funny encounters, both at home and at Lokal. She relaxes by meditating and cleaning.
katja.hagelstam@lokalhelsinki.com
Kati Ruohomäki
Lokal Gallery Producer and Co-ordinator
Kati is a visual artist and an astrologer and has been taking good care of Lokal Gallery’s day-to-day operations for several years now.
“For me art is like breathing, the way I am in life; how I think, how I move, how I deal with all matters and feelings. Sometimes I like it more, sometimes I fight against it, but the essence of that way of being seems to always stay.”
Kati is a Nordic walking activist by heart, and feels a deep connection to all-white moose.
kati.ruohomaki@lokalhelsinki.com
Ananya Tanttu
Lokal’s Media Producer & Project Assistant
Ananya is a photography and moving image artist. Within Lokal, she focuses on managing Lokal’s media and producing original video and editorial content.
“Doing things with sincerity, from the heart, and by hand, seems like something vital to me. Creative expression, especially when given space and sensory form, is what silently connects us to one another, even in the midst of incessant noise.”
Ananya takes comfort in being in natural water bodies, contemplates in forests and finds inspiration in the company of her friends.
ananya.tanttu@lokalhelsinki.com
Meena Kaunisto
Lokal’s Advisor
Meena is a multidisciplinary professional having strong ties to various creative fields in an international context.
“If you ask me for a motto, I will say “Cook and live without fear”. Even in Lokal, I hope to be able to “cook” something interesting and gratifying together with the rest of the team and the artists.”
In her spare time, Meena really enjoys cooking for family and friends.
meena.kaunisto@lokalhelsinki.com
Hanni Koroma
Lokal’s Interior Architect and Exhibition Designer
Hanni is an interior architect, and has her own studio in Kruununhaka. Hanni has designed the premises of Lokal, the colour scheme and does the exhibition architecture.
“I strive for beauty and harmony. We do get used to ugliness, but beauty always excites us.”
Hanni makes dandelion capers, spruce cone marmalade, and potatoes in folded lady’s mantle leaves.
Piëtke Visser
Lokal’s Visual Brand and Communication Designer
Pietke is an awarded creative director and communication designer, and has shaped and contributed to Lokal’s visual identity ever since our foundation year.
“I believe design is visual optimism. It tries to show us better ways and gives us chances to improve. Done alone none of this is much fun, it is the possibility to work in a like-minded community that is valuable and truly rewarding.”
Piëtke loves naming colours, and sees it as a limitless pursuit that delves into memories and engages all the senses. In that same vein, she believes in the restorative power of seasonal fruit, in particular the mangoes and peaches from her grandmother’s garden.
Freia Lindholm
Lokal’s Sales Manager
Freia is a student of visual marketing. She has years of experience in designing and selling fixed furniture. Now Freia is responsible for developing Lokal’s sales and B2B projects.
“I enjoy beautiful things and I try to find beauty in surprising places.”
In her free time, Freia can be found immersed in interior design magazines or visiting art museums. She often has an old film camera hanging around her neck and Italian disco playing in her headphones.
freia.lindholm@lokalhelsinki.com
Malika Saddok
Lokal’s Gallery Intern
Malika is a final-year furniture design student whose work radiates playfulness, bold color, and organic forms. She is fascinated by how everyday objects can be transformed into sculptural, joyful pieces that evoke emotion.
“Design is both instinct and necessity for me. There is always a new idea unfolding, a small experiment in turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.”
In her free time, Malika retreats to nature, enjoys cabin life, and cherishes moments with friends. She loves movement, sports, and everything that brings joy and playfulness to everyday life.