Taito Award 2006

  The winner of the Taito Award 2006 was announced today in Helsinki. The winner was selected from the 17 regional award winner. Taito Award is given every year by the Finnish Crafts Organization to the best handicrafter in Finland.

This year the winner was designer Annamaija Halonen from Studio Halonen Oy. She lives and works in Kuopio.

Studio Halonen designs and produces high-quality products from birch and alder. The products combine clear shapes with harmonic combination of natural and painted wood. Her products have won also some international prizes at least in Japan and Norway.

The award was worth 5000 Euros and the jury was chaired by Dr. Pentti Arajärvi (yes, the spouse of Finnish President Tarja Halonen).

These products can be found in many shops selling Finnish handicrafts and design, among others at the Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport.