Albert Gebhard Medal

Albert Gebhard (1869-1937) headed the founding of the Finnish Draughtsmen's Association, present-day Grafia, on May 22nd 1933. He also acted as the association's first chairman. Since 1897, he had been a well-liked drawing teacher in the Fine Arts Society of Finland drawing school. He was a fellow student of Pekka Halonen's, and both Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Albert Edelfelt were among his oldest friends. Gebhard's studies, including the almost "de rigueur" trips to Paris and Italy, were typical of his time. He was a skilled draughtsman and particularly in 1900-1910 a popular illustrator.

In 1963 the Draughtsmen's Association Grafia Tecknarförbund, since then simply the Grafia Association, established the Albert Gebhard Medal to honour the lifetime establishments of the founder and first chairman of the association, painter and draughtsman Albert Gebhard.

The medal is made out of bronze and it was designed by the artist Olof Eriksson. The medal and the associated diploma may be awarded to a distinguished drawer, illustrator or graphic designer. The medal may also be awarded to an individual or group that has promoted the development and appreciation of drawing and graphic design in Finland, as well as performed a notable act that has promoted the cultural agenda of the association and its members.

The medal is primarily awarded to Finnish individuals and groups, but can also be awarded to foreign individuals or groups who have promoted the international recognition and interaction of the association and its members in a notable way.

The Albert Gebhard Medal has been awarded to the following individuals:
37. Unto Paltemaa (2008)
36. Keijo Vuorinen (2007)
37. Unto Paltemaa (2008)
36. Keijo Vuorinen (2007)
35. Yrjö Sotamaa (2003)
34. Jaakko Puokka (2000)
33. Helmiriitta Honkanen (1999)
32. Pekka Vuori (1998)
31. Arvo Vatanen (1997)
30. Jukka Veistola (1996)
29. Tove Jansson (1995)
28. Nils Fredriksson (1989)
27. Viktor Kaltala (1988)
26. Tapani Aartomaa (1980)
25. Jukka Pellinen (1979)
24. Kosti Antikainen (1978)
23. Erik Bruun (1976)
22. Martti Mykkänen (1976)
21. Henrik Tikkanen
20. Martta Wendelin
19. Aarne Kotilainen
18. Tapio Tapiovaara
17. Tove Jansson
16. Ahto Numminen
15. Eino Lainio
14. Onni Oja
13. Hans Björklind
12. Olof Eriksson
11. Lauri Santtu
10. Erkki Kulovesi
9. Erkki Tanttu
8. Alf Kvaal, Norja
7. Anton Bengtsson (1964)
6. Björn Landström
5. Aukusti Tuhka (1963)
4. Tauno Miesmaa
3. Erkki Koponen
2. Asmo Alho
1. Aarne Karjalainen