Tampere Tram Art Program Unveils Two Kid-Created Installations

Tampereen Raitiotie Oy announced that its Ratikka art program will install two temporary artworks along the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tram route, created by local children under the guidance of artist Anu-Riikka Lampinen

In March, Lampinen will run four children’s art workshops at Pereen and Pakkalanlyhdyn day-care centers and Hatanpää School. Using machine- and nature-themed shape templates and a predefined color palette, the kids will freely combine shapes to invent new imaginative characters; preschool groups will focus on machines while the school children explore nature. "Children’s view of the world is endlessly imaginative. It is wonderful to bring this perspective into the construction site and give children the experience that their characters can appear in urban space," Lampinen says.

After the workshops, Lampinen will assemble the characters into a cohesive set that will be realized at scale on large plywood fences between Härmälänoja and Vihilahden bridges. The installations are expected to be installed in April, and once the bridges are completed in summer 2026, the fences will be removed and the artworks will move to a new location along the tram route to continue their life.

The concept for temporary art on the construction site came from Tampereen Ratikan Pirkkala–Linnainmaa alliance bridge. "We’re pleased to involve local children in shaping our construction site’s appearance. The artworks make the environment more vibrant and highlight the community’s own handprint," says Sari Valjus, alliance project manager.