Opening Event for Art and Crafts of Ancient Scandinavia

Celebrate “The Art and Crafts of Ancient Scandinavia,” the newest exhibition at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, on May 11 at 1:00 p.m. with a special reception and presentation in Vesterheim Commons by exhibit artist Sven Lindauer! There will be free museum admission during the event.

Lindauer is an artist, author, and publisher whose professional career spans over 40 years. He was the former Official Historical Artist for the U.S. Marshal Service National Museum and for the National Geographic television.

The exhibit showcases original oil paintings by Lindauer with specially carved frames for each of the paintings, also by Lindauer. The paintings focus on Viking scenes, handcrafts, and landscapes. The models in the paintings are real people that Lindauer encountered in everyday life. The mood, materials, and decorative motifs of the frames reflect each artwork individually.

“This exhibition is for those who value the arts and crafts of Scandinavia and those interested in the daily life of people during 700 and 1000 CE. It is also for those who love painting artistry,” Lauryn Johnson, Vesterheim Collection Assistant, said.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.