Photo by Ella Tommila
“Ice cream is most often enjoyed in company, and my fondest memories of summers are those moments of fun, joy and pleasure spent with someone I love.” – Paula Pääkkönen.
Paula Pääkkönen (b. 1990) is a glass artist working in the historic glass village of Nuutajärvi, Finland. As an artist, she is currently working with the themes of childhood, memories and imagination. Pääkkönen describes glassblowing, at its best, as a kind of dance: a choreography between artist, material, and team. The knowledge required to work with glass is passed from one generation to another through observation, practice, conversation, and collaboration—something that makes working in Nuutajärvi particularly meaningful to her.
“It is really important to be working in this village specifically in order to benefit from that silent knowledge. It is also important to me to continue the glassblowing tradition in my own generation. I do not know if I would have found artistry in myself, if it wasn’t through glass. It's a material that fuels my creativity, and I really like the fact that glass isn’t blown alone. The skill level of the team also elevates my chances of success.”
Paula’s work has reached audiences far beyond Nuutajärvi. In 2023, Vogue Scandinavia published a feature titled "How glass artist Paula Pääkkönen's cool ice cream sculptures are sweeping the art world". That same year, she had an exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum, and in 2025 she collaborated with United Colors of Benetton for Milan Design Week, bringing her bold color language and sculptural wit to an international stage. Each project reflects her belief that glass carries stories—of technique, of place, and the people who gather around it.
