Motley Project Founders

We’re two Finns who have both lived abroad (Germany, France, UK, Denmark) for way over 20 years. We met each other at a sunny flea market in East Helsinki in 2024: we had both returned to Finland a few years earlier and found that while the city had become much more international and multicultural since the 90s, there were not many quality free-time activities or creative “hobbies” available for families who didn’t speak Finnish.

In addition to being taught in Finnish, which isn't the easiest language, many courses also follow a strict curriculum, whereas we know many of us would prefer to try different creative activities in a warm, relaxed environment.

Most of our instructors are not only professional creatives, but—like us—they also have personal experience of uprooting and building their lives in a new place. Life is not just about learning ten different painting techniques and perfecting Finnish suffixes: we celebrate inclusivity, diversity, making new friends, and building communities. We believe embracing a Motley of experiences is what makes us truly special.

Motley Project ry is a registered, not-for-profit, association (yhdistys)

A small toy is standing in front of a pink background

Anu Liisanantti

Anna Dorrington

Our Founders

We’re two Finns who have both lived abroad (Germany, France, UK, Denmark) for way over 20 years. We met each other at a sunny flea market in East Helsinki in 2024: we had both returned to Finland a few years earlier and found that while the city had become much more international and multicultural since the 90s, there were not many quality free-time activities or creative “hobbies” available for families who didn’t speak Finnish.

In addition to being taught in Finnish, many courses also follow a strict curriculum, whereas we know many of us would prefer to try different creative activities in a warm, relaxed environment.

Most of our instructors are not only professional creatives, but—like us—they also have personal experience of uprooting and building their lives in a new place. Life is not just about learning ten different painting techniques and perfecting Finnish suffixes: we celebrate inclusivity, diversity, making new friends, and building communities. We believe embracing a Motley of experiences is what makes us truly special.

Motley Project ry is a not-for-profit, registered association (yhdistys).