Art Archives

One trip two countries Norway-Sweden by train

This trip you can choose whether you want to start in Lillestrøm or from Kristinehamn.

The tour suggestion is based on starting in Lillestrøm.

Here you can first stroll around Lillestrøm – visit Elvebredden Art Park, which features many exciting artworks along the river Nitelva.

Afterwards, you can choose whether to take a guided tour at Nitja Art Center, or explore the art on your own. Here, you can also choose to enjoy a light lunch or a cup of coffee.

Right across the street from Nitja lies the train station, and from there you take the train towards Kongsvinger – about 1 hour and 30 minutes on route R14 with VY.

In Kongsvinger, you can decide whether to get off the train and take a trip up to Kongsvinger Fortress and the old part of town. Here you will find the Women’s Museum, cozy narrow streets with cafés. At Kongsvinger Fortress and Hotel you can also stay overnight if you would like a good night’s sleep in historic surroundings. If you’d like a detour to Magnor, you can take bus 120 from Kongsvinger Station to Magnor, where you can experience Magnor Glassworks or The Plus. From Magnor center it is about a 20-minute walk to The Plus. A taxi from there to the factory is also possible.

If you choose to travel directly to Sweden, either with a stop in Arvika or directly to Karlstad/ Kristinehamn

The train ride from Kongsvinger to Kristinehamn takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes – and here you can choose whether to get off in Arvika (approx. 45–50 minutes), or continue to Karlstad and end up in Kristinehamn.

Arvika charms you with small-town architecture, genuine crafts, and second-hand shops and, of course, the art at Rackstad. Don’t miss having a fika at one of the city’s cozy cafés.

Discover Sweden’s oldest arts and crafts shop, founded in 1922, right in the center of Arvika. Unique creations by local artisans are displayed and sold here, often inspired by the Rackstad Colony’s art tradition. Several small exhibitions are held throughout the year to enhance the visitor experience.

Experience Swedish art history at the Rackstad Museum in Arvika, where turn-of-the-century artists from around Lake Racken meet contemporary art and crafts. The museum is set in a beautiful historic environment with exhibitions, an inspiring park, and a shop featuring art and crafts.

Discover Arvika’s beautiful and historic buildings on an architecture walk curated by Värmland’s antiquarian Terese Myrin. Follow the interactive map and experience the elegance of Trefaldighetskyrkan, the Palladium cinema palace, and the functionalist KP-building – a city walk filled with culture and history.

You can then discover the Arvika Vehicle Museum, located in the restored Thermia foundry from 1923. Here you will find vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and unique rarities such as the Marmon 1933 and the Arvika prototype Indigo 3000. A café and museum shop enhance the visit, with themed exhibitions running year-round.

Stay comfortably at Scandic Arvika, one of Arvika’s oldest houses from the 1800s, with charm and history in its walls. The hotel offers 88 rooms, a relaxation area with pool and sauna, several restaurants, and conference facilities – perfect for relaxation and experiences in Arvika.

Elin’s Backyard – one of Arvika’s most beloved places – welcomes you with cozy, old-fashioned surroundings, a crackling tiled stove, the smell of fresh baking, and charming details everywhere. Enjoy homemade lunch and fika, discover arts and crafts in the shop corner, and don’t miss the small concerts and exhibitions often held here.

By the water in Arvika lies Olsson’s Pier, a restaurant and summer gem with outdoor seating, a rooftop terrace, and lounges. Enjoy good food, drinks, and live music during the summer, with a fantastic view over Kyrkviken and Arvika’s harbor.

You can then take the train further to Karlstad and Kristinehamn, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

In sunny Karlstad, you’ll find museums that attract visitors from all over the country, as well as charming galleries and a vibrant food culture. With the Klarälven River winding through the city center and comfortable accommodations in the heart of town, it’s easy to stay longer.

At the Värmland Museum on Sandgrundsudden in Karlstad, you’ll encounter art, photography, and cultural history in 15–20 new exhibitions every year. Both global perspectives and local stories are featured here, such as the exhibition “Värmland Life” about people’s lives in the landscape over 10,000 years. Stop for a meal in the museum restaurant, visit the shop, and discover outdoor art through their own app.

Just a stone’s throw apart, you’ll find three galleries near Herrhagsparken, a short walk from the center. At Gallery Bergman, Gallery Ekdahl, and Art Promotion Värmland, works from Värmland as well as Nordic artists are shown, with a wide range of styles and expressions.

At Hotel Fratelli in Karlstad, you’ll find a boutique hotel where design, energy, and hospitality create a unique atmosphere. Three kitchens and three bars offer culinary highlights – from deli and fine dining to rooftop bar. Here, gastronomy, relaxation, and experiences come together in top-class form.

Continue by train to Kristinehamn, a real gem on the shores of Lake Vänern, where the Picasso sculpture, vibrant art, and the adventures of the archipelago meet. Here, culture, taste experiences, and lakeside life come together.

The 15-meter-high sculpture on Strandudden, representing Picasso’s wife Jacqueline, is one of the world’s largest free-standing Picasso works. Inaugurated in 1965, in collaboration with Carl Nesjar and Bengt Olson, it is today an iconic destination in Kristinehamn, beautifully located on the shores of Lake Vänern.

Kristinehamn Art Museum in Mariebergsparken showcases both contemporary and historical art, with exhibitions by Picasso, Matisse, and Alvar Aalto. Take a break at Restaurant Panncentralen for Italian flavors and ice cream from Värmland milk, and don’t miss the museum shop and Kvadraten, featuring local arts and crafts.

Discover Kristinehamn’s beautiful buildings and history through three cozy city walks with different themes: “Where the houses whisper their stories,” “Yards, churches and old streets,” and “From the city’s Stone Age to the steel bridge.”

In the heart of Kristinehamn lies Stadshotellet Statt – a venerable hotel from 1878 with classic rooms, modern amenities, and views of the square or the river Varnan. At Statt, both families and business travelers stay comfortably, with breakfast buffet, free parking, and the option to bring pets. The hotel’s restaurant, Axel, serves seasonal dishes with local ingredients, and in summer the outdoor terrace in the evening sun is a favorite.

Welcome to an exciting journey across the border!

Daytrip from Oslo to Magnor Glassverk and The Plus

Welcome to Magnor!

Magnor Glassverk
is one of Norway's most famous glassworks. The glass factory has existed for over 120 years, and you can still experience glass being blown by hand. Here you can find works by a variety of designers and artisans, experience concerts, visit the factory outlet and blow your own glass.

The Plus by BIG Bjarke Ingels Group
The Plus was designed by BIG Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen for Vestre as. The Plus has taken its form as a natural transfer from logistics to architecture. The four production areas – Color Factory, Wood Factory, Assembly and Warehouse – are placed around a common center point which forms the very heart of the building. The geometry provides an open and efficient work flow, while all four factory wings are in direct contact with the forest. At the heart of the building is the visitor center which provides 360 degree insight into the entire production. It creates a democratic meeting place for employees and visitors that provides maximum transparency.

Daytrip from Oslo to Våler and three uniqe churches

The unique Vålerkirkene – a nice day trip from Oslo!

Våler municipality is only 2 hours and 15 minutes drive north-east of Oslo (173 km) and here you can experience 1000 years of Norwegian church history and three innovative and architecturally unique church buildings in one day. Take the E6 towards Trondheim and drive to Elverum. From Elverum, head south on RV2 towards Våler.
Read about summer open churches in Våler here

Risberget church hall
The church hall has a local builder and the building was consecrated in 1863.The only one of its kind in Norway that is still in use. The building resembles a regular two-storey house except for the roof rider and the bell house. The church hall itself is located on the 2nd floor and has 60 seats.
Read more about Risberget church hall at Kirken i Våler's webpage here

Gravberget church
The architect here is Magnus Poulsson and the church building was consecrated in 1955. The church is shaped like a spruce tree and is a kind of modern stave church.
The beautiful church is given as a gift from Borregaard to the people of Gravberget. In its time described by the American magazine LIFE as one of the world's 10 most distinctive church buildings in the world.
Read more about Gravberget Church at Kirken i Våler's website here

Våler church
The architect is Espen Surnevik and the building was consecrated in 2015.
The winning draft in Norway's second largest architectural competition. The old church burned to the ground after an arson attack in 2009. This unique building has won the following awards:
• Construction of the Year in 2015
• Innlandets Trepris in 2016
• International award for best religious building in 2016
• The Government's building practice award in 2016
Read more about Våler Church on the Church in Våler's website here

Maria Church Minnelund – 1000 years in 2022
Beautifully, down by the banks of the Glomma was the original church which was built as a stave church in 1022. By royal rescript in 1804, permission was given to demolish the old church and erect a new one in a new place. Today you can see Olavspila, a wooden sculpture that will illustrate the legend that tells that there was disagreement about where the church should be built and that Olav the Holy solve the matter by shooting out an arrow and declared that where it fell down the church should be built. The arrow fell into a "vaal", ie a stump field with twig mounds close to the bank of the Glomma. Hence the church got its name (in everyday speech Vaalakirkja) – and hence the name Våler.
Read more about Minnelunden at Kirken i Våler's website here

Maybe you want to stay a while and experience more in the Elverum region?
Then we can recommend two nice places to stay:
Thon Partner Hotel Central
Thon Partner Hotel Elgstua

And two nice museums to visit:
Anno Norsk skogmuseum
Anno Glomdalsmuseum

The Womens Museum

The museum now has four exhibitions:

‘In the public eye’
In this exhibition you can learn more about the women who led the way in different areas of society, about what society was concerned with in different periods, and you can contribute your own stories and describe your perception of their status today.

‘Play for life’
An exhibition about childhood and youth, boys and girls, past and present. What determines what is girly, and what does it do to our bodies?

‘Your Dagny’
Dagny Juel Przybyszewska (1867-1901) lived a short and intense life among the bohemians at the turn of the last century. She trained as a pianist and began writing when she was 26 years old. Four plays, four prose lyrics, a short story and a handful of poems have been preserved from her oeuvre. How did a young woman from Kongsvinger become one of the most prominent and mythical avant-garde artists?

The exhibition Din Dagny gives an insight into Dagny Juel's family, her childhood, adolescence and adult life as a bohemian and artist.

At the museum you'll also find ‘Kafe Bohem’, which is open during the museum's opening hours and serves cake and coffee.

‘HYSJ! Stories about abortion and sexuality’
At all times and in all countries, women have had abortions. With this exhibition, we want to contribute to more knowledge, break down taboos and open up conversations about a topic that affects many people.

Opening hours:

Winter and spring season 1 February – 18 May: Saturday and Sunday 12-16.

Summer season 20 May – 31 August: Tuesday to Sunday 11-17.

Autumn season 6 September – 30 November: Saturday and Sunday 12-16.

Open to school classes and groups by advance booking all year round.

One trip two countries Norway-Sweden art experiences

You can choose whether to start or end in Sweden—the choice is yours!

Begin your cultural journey through Värmland with Rackstad Museum 

The museum connects the region’s art history and craftsmanship with contemporary art and crafts, locally, nationally, and internationally. In the surrounding area you can stroll through the beautiful park, book a guided tour, shop in the museum store, and attend events such as concerts and lectures. Coffee and light lunches are also served here.

At Klässbols Linen Weaving you’ll find Värmland textile craftsmanship of the highest class. Did you know that their tablecloths are used every year at the Nobel Banquet? Here you can both see the production process and buy their beautiful textiles. A short walk from the mill brings you to Kaffekvarnen in Klässbol. By the babbling brook, you can enjoy a flavorful lunch in an old-fashioned environment, prepared with organic ingredients.

Next, continue your journey to Sliperiet, the former wood pulp mill from 1903. Here you'll find impressive art exhibitions featuring both renowned and emerging artists. The art hall is now one of the largest privately owned in Värmland. If you want to delight your taste buds, you’re in the right place—offering culinary experiences that focus on seasonal and local ingredients. Learn more on their art, food, and culture.

Now you’ll need a short stop—stay among treetops or on a raft over the water in scenic Naturbyn. This is where you can disconnect and relax—an experience for both body and mind. Paddle a canoe, eat food cooked over an open fire, and feel peace settle in.

The next day, start with a visit to Gamla Kraftstationen. This industrial-romantic building is today a fascinating cultural venue with an 11‑meter-high ceiling and much of the original interior preserved. The unique art hall is at its heart, showcasing modern contemporary art with breadth and depth in various techniques and expressions from both established and emerging talents. It’s also a great place for a bite to eat or a coffee.

Stop by Rottneros Park, a garden in Värmland full of ideas and life—like a living fairytale. It’s a flower and sculpture park inspired by the grand gardens of Europe. Here you’ll find works by major Nordic sculptors in a wonderful environment filled with flowers and greenery.

Mormors Glasscafé is a small, cozy café by Lake Fryken. They serve special and very delicious ice‑cream menus, homemade baked goods, and sandwiches. Sit in the garden and enjoy ice cream, coffee, and the view over Lake Fryken.

Sahlströmsgården combines art and recreation with good food and accommodation in peaceful surroundings. In the restaurant, meals are made from scratch. At the museum you can learn about the lives of three artists: Ida, Bror, and Anna Sahlström.

Once you cross the border, your first stop is Magnor—here you’ll find both Magnor Glassworks and The Plus. Magnor Glassworks, founded in 1896, has been shaped by generations of skilled glassworkers. You can experience glass art and design, visit the factory outlet, watch professional glassblowers at work, or even try glassblowing yourself.

Next goes the trip to The Plus, part of Vestre Furniture Factory—one of the world’s most environmentally friendly furniture manufacturers. You can take a factory tour, walk on the roof, see furniture placed in nature, and follow Hans Børli’s poetry trail—an extraordinary and distinctive experience in the deep forests near the Swedish border.

For lunch you can choose between dining at Vestre or at Magnor Glassworks.

The next stop is Kongsvinger Fortress—here you can take a deserved rest and overnight stay in the old fortress from 1673. Dinner and a guided tour are an experience, especially as you watch the Glomma River flow by while overlooking the vast forests toward Sweden.

Kongsvinger Old Town is also well worth a walk—steep slopes and old wooden houses give it character. You’ll also find the Women’s Museum within walking distance of both the Old Town and the fortress. The exhibition teaches about women who have led across various social domains, societal concerns across different periods, and offers you the opportunity to share your own stories and perspectives.

There are more opportunities to see beautiful art installations in Kongsvinger—such as the howling dog and sculpture "Cheval de frise"

Then you face the choice: head north or continue south along the Glomma via E16. Before the lunch stop at Sanngrund camping you can stop at gallery Lyshuset for a tour of art. You can also stay in the WonderInn Riverside.

From there you can continue toward Lillestrøm, where you’ll be delighted by the art at Gallery Würth and contemporary exhibits at Nitja Art Center, along with a walk through Elvebredden Art Park.

Then set course toward Sarpsborg, where many art experiences await you, like the sculpture “Geminis” and many others in the city.

You can choose whether to stay here or move on to the fortress town of Fredrikstad. Fredrikstad’s Old Town, founded in 1567 by King Frederik II, is considered the best-preserved fortress town in the Nordic region. One of the city’s most intriguing artworks is by Jaume Plensa.

Let yourself be enchanted by the cities and the atmosphere, no matter how much of the journey you choose to experience.

Information from Visit Greater Oslo.

Daytrip from Oslo to Toten and west side of lake Mjøsa – Summer

A wonderful day trip from Oslo for those who enjoy a leisurely and calm heart rhythm

Only 125 kilometers north of Oslo, on the west side of Mjøsa lies the Totenbygdene like a beautiful patchwork along Norway's largest lake. Drive the E6 to Minnesund and turn off towards Gjøvik. The trip along Mjøsa through the cultural landscape of Totenvika is worth the trip in itself.
Feel free to stop at Evjua Strandpark in Totenvika for a good meal at the restaurant Viken II, which is located a little outside Mjøsa.

On Kapp in Østre Toten you can visit an artistic pearl of a place, namely the Peder Balke-centre
In the listed building from the 18th century, Peder Balke decorated the banquet hall with 12 wall paintings in 1834 and the hall is the very heart of the art centre. In addition to the murals, you can experience changing exhibitions of contemporary art in the summer months as well as an information center about Peder Balke. The Peder Balke Center has a pleasant café where you can eat a tasty lunch, drink good coffee and a delicious cake. The interior shop, the 4 seasons, is located next door and has a wide selection of local goods such as flowers and vegetables as well as beautiful interiors for your own home or as a gift.

In recent years, interest in Balke's work has steadily increased, first with the exhibition Peder Balke – Vision and Revolution at the Nordnorsk Art Museum in 2014. This exhibition was a collaboration with the National Gallery, which culminated in the exhibition Peder Balke in London (in the period November 2014–April 2015). In April 2017, the exhibition Peder Balke – Painter of Northern Light opened at The Metropolitan in New York.Read more about Peder Balke and the art center here

Sculptural stop: Allium
Remember to take a stroll over the tractor road to the sculpture Allium (or the onion as the locals call it) by Sverre Wyller. The beautiful sculpture is conceived as a classic still life in the rich cultural landscape at Toten. Seen from a distance, it also works like this, with Mjøsa in the background. Allium is placed as a portal over the original main axis into the garden. The sculpture is positioned diagonally across the road – to not only be a portal – but also an independent form in the landscape. This is just one of several beautiful art installations nearby.
Read more about the others here

Close by:
Mjøsa's Ark – Mjøsa's own museum
Only a couple of kilometers from the Peder Balke center is Mjøsa Ark, one of the Mjøs museums. Mjøsa's sheet tells about life in and around Norway's largest lake, Mjøsa. Here you will find 500 square meters of historical treasures from the Stone Age and the Viking age, and up to how we use Mjøsa today, and how we look after our drinking water source.

Fjorn
Fjorn is located right next to Mjøs Ark, which serves delicious dishes with a panoramic view of Mjøsa.

DS Skibladner
Skibladner docks right outside Mjøsas Ark on Wednesdays and Fridays. Read more about timetables and booking information at Skibladner here

Overnight?
We understand if you want to stay another night. Here we have some good tips for places to spend the night:
Grøna Skysstasjon på Totenåsen
Quality Hotel Strand, Gjøvik
Clarion Collection Hotel Grand, Gjøvik

Art trip in the area around Eidsvoll and Hurdal

Let yourself be inspired by a breather and replenishment of art in Upper Romerike, starting at Eidsvoll.

The trip can be extended or only taken as a day trip by train to Eidsvoll.

Wergelandshaugen, a small art and cultural destination in the heart of Eidsvoll and within walking distance of Eidsvoll station. Here you can experience outdoor art, silence, a delicious lunch in Amalies Have – and in addition, you can also spend the night in one of the micro houses if you want to stay overnight,

You can choose to take the trip further (then you must have a car) and then the next stop is then Hurdal and Hurdalsjøen Hotell.

Here you can experience more outdoor art, in the garden together with a relaxed atmosphere. If you are hungry and fancy for a dinner or lunch – local food is served in the AX restaurant, take time for a trip to the SPA facility, outside or in the indoor sauna all year round. Accommodation here is self-indulgent no problem I

If you want to spend more days, you can find more exciting accommodations and suggestions as Lauv Treetopcabin where you have posibilties for hiking both summer and winterrtime – and of course visit Carsten Ankers house.

There are options on the trip before you head further south in the area for more art experiences.

Daytrip from Oslo to Elverum

Day trip from Oslo to the museum town Elverum

Only 143 kilometers and under 2 hours' drive from Oslo is Elverum. Here you can experience the charm of small-town life in the centre, swim in Glomma, play disc golf in historic surroundings and visit two fantastic museums as well as learn more about the historic days when the King said no to German surrender in 1940. Would you rather leave the car and take the train, and/or bus? Check times and book tickets at Vy or Nor•Way

Here are some ideas what you can experience in Elverum:
The Glomdal Museum (Anno Glomdalsmuseet)
The Glomdal Museum is Norway's 3rd largest folk museum after Maihaugen in Lillehammer and the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo. The Glomdal Museum is a cultural history museum with 92 houses from Solør and Østerdalen that show you how people lived from the 17th century to 1940. The museum has several permanent exhibitions that are worth seeing, here are two of them:
The exhibition "The Old Doctor" which deals with medical history in the period from about 1850 to 1950 in a broad and contemporary presentation.
The exhibition "Latjo Drom" which shows the culture and history of the Romani people/Tatars in Norway.
A temporary exhibition is "The King's No", an exhibition about the historical events that took place over three days in April 1940 when Elverum and Hedmark became the scene of decisive events.In the beautiful outdoor area, you can meet farm animals in the summer season and enjoy an ice cream from the mini cafe in Lømostua. Inside, the museum has a large and nice museum shop and a pleasant café where you can get good food, freshly brewed coffee, and sweet temptations.
Read more about Anno Glomdalsmuseet here

The Norwegian Forest Museum
Located in scenic surroundings by Glomma and is one of the largest museums in Norway. The museum has a national responsibility for the outdoor industries of hunting, trapping, fishing, forestry, horticulture, and the forest industry and has an exciting offer for the whole family. At the museum you can experience many exciting exhibitions, both permanent and temporary. You can go on your own or get a tour from the museum's skilled mediators.The museum has a wonderful outdoor area with a play area that offers development and activity. On Prestøya you will find a large collection of historic cabins and forest huts. Here you can also visit Barna's fishing pond and look at old traps and fishing devices.

The Forest Museum has several great exhibitions. One of them is "The Wonderful Tree", a beautiful and innovative exhibition about photosynthesis and the life of the tree. The trees' magical ability to transform air into sugar is explained here in a new and exciting way. In the middle of the exhibition stands a 7.5-meter-high sculpture – the fantastic tree itself. The museum has several events during the year and one of them is the Nordic Hunting and Fishing Days, which has over 30,000 visitors. The museum has a great museum shop and a pleasant café that offers good food, freshly brewed coffee, and freshly baked cakes.
Read more about Anno Norwegian Forest Museum here

Christiansfjeld Fortress
A nature area close to the city center with historical significance and traces of old military activity. The beautiful hill has remains of the fortress walls and is today an open-air area with a great frisbee golf course.
Read more about Christiansfjeld Fortress here

There are several good eateries in Elverum, find your favourite here
Would you like to stay another day? We understand that very well. Here are suggestions for places to stay
Thon Partner Hotel Central
Thon Partner Hotel Elgstua

Daytrip from Oslo to Kongsvinger

Kongsvinger has for several centuries been a natural stop for Norwegian-Swedish kings between the capitals Oslo and Stockholm. Today, the train stops here several times during the day, and just over an hour from Oslo you find yourself in Kongsvinger.

When you visit Kongsvinger, the fortress and Øvrebyen are a place you just have to take with you! Do you love great views? Are you interested in military history? Or do you enjoy yourself most while strolling through the charming narrow streets, visiting small galleries or drinking coffee in a café with a distinctive character? Here you will find Norway's only Women's Museum and you can learn more about the city's history and the painter Erik Werenskiold's life in his hometown Kongsvinger.

Today you can combine a visit to the fortress with an overnight stay in adventurous surroundings at Festningen Hotel & Resort. There you can enjoy a spectacular view of Kongsvinger town and Glomma – surrounded by beautiful nature.

Welcome to one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in Øvrebyen!

Street Art – Jessheim

COLORING THE STREETS in Jessheim

In Jessheim there is a lot of exciting street art .

Jessheim celebrated its 10-year town anniversary in 2022 and in that connection a wall was painted with a Steinar Caspari motif designed by Egil Nyhus called Gjess.

In the park by Såvegen there is also an exciting piece of art painted on a small house.

On the back wall of Ullensaker Kulturhus there is also a wall with drawings inspired by motifs and people from Jessheim.

Martin Whatson has painted several walls around the Oslo region in correlation with a project called SPRAY. In Jessheim Whatson and Eric Ness Christiansen have done a huge piece together. To get to the art simply take the bus or train to Jessheim station. From there walk across the parking lot to Henrik Bulls vei. You can see Whatson's work finishing the piece on each sides of the road.
Check out the SPRAY video here

Martin Whatson (b.1984) is a Norwegian street artist best known for his calligraphic scribbles in grayscale voids. Over the past decade, Martin has developed an unmistakable aesthetic combining abstract movement with figurative stencilled compositions. His works can be seen to mirror the rise and fall of the streets, as he symbolically recreates the urban environment, then vandalises it to reveal his vibrant transformations. Read more about Whatson

Information from Visit Greater Oslo