Exhibitions Archives

Holmsbu Art Gallery – Henrik Sørensen collection

Experience the magnificent collection of artworks. The Holmsbu painters and Henrik Sørensen's life and work are brought into play in the face of current cultural expressions and the surrounding nature and will promote the value of being right here – in this forest, by this fjord.

Regular tours, lectures, forest walks, courses, workshops, concerts and author talks are held during the season.

Henrik Sørensen and the "Holmsbu painters" have decorated the colorful church in Holmsbu, also referred to as the artist's church.

Asker Library

Welcome to the Asker Libraries

The Asker libraries are vibrant meeting places for culture and knowledge and are located at Tofte, Midtbygda, Slemmestad, Heggedal and Asker centre. At the library, you are free to borrow books, art and equipment, read newspapers and magazines, study, make use of our computers and spend time with friends and family. We host events and activities for young and old several times a week.

Opening hours, program and services at: www.askerbibliotekene.no

Magnor Glassworks

Magnor Glassworks is one of Norway's best-known glassworks
The glassworks has existed for over 120 years, and still produces all its products by hand. Here you can find works by a number of designers and artisans, experience concerts, visit the factory outlet and blow your own glass.

Magnor Glassworks was founded as early as 1896 in the deep border forests on the Norwegian side, Magnor, just 3 km from the Swedish border (and 12 miles from Oslo). The large forests were to provide fuel for the heat-sucking smelting furnaces. Several generations of skilled designers and glass workers have shaped Magnor Glassverk's history. More than 120 years of tradition and experience in handmade glass have come in handy and provided valuable knowledge and experience.

Development does not stand still even as the years pass, but much remains the same when molten sand is magically transformed into sparkling glass.

Tours
The tour starts with history and facts. Then further into glass production to see what we make today, we also follow the glass's cooling and grinding process. There are also options for dining.

Prices:
• Tour approx. 40 min. incl. coffee and waffle, NOK 150 per person
• Tour approx. 40 minutes, NOK 100 per person

Discounted items in the Factory outlet
In "Glasshytta" (the glass cabin), you will find Magnor Glasswork's own factory outlet with a large selection of products! Here you will find great gifts for all occasions, tastefully displayed in bright and pleasant premises. In addition to our entire range in crystal, we also produce our own items that are only sold at Magnor.

In the Factory Sale, you can buy our goods with a 30 – 70% discount on the recommended retail price. This discount applies to the assortment that is second sorting or same sort, this means goods that may have small defects such as air bubbles or the like.

Here you can also buy products that cannot be found elsewhere, these are often products where blowers and designers have tested their new ideas.

Coastal gems along the Oslofjord west coast

Throughout history, the west side of Oslo has attracted artists, bathers and Christiania's nobility to gather in the small towns during the summer months. No wonder the area today has 6 of Norway's Blue Flag beaches in addition to top hikes with stunning views and plenty of unspoilt nature.

A road trip through Bærum and Asker and Hurumlandet, takes you through various eras via charming summer gems such as Vollen, Sætre and Holmsbu. The area is best experienced by car but is also very popular to explore from the bike seat or by leisure boat. There is also a scheduled boat between Aker Brygge and Drøbak / Son with stops along the coast.

From industry and shipbuilding to small town charm
You can get close to Oslo and the region's cultural highlights by staying at Fornebu with sea views and bathing opportunities right outside your door. At Scandic Fornebu everything is ready for a lovely dinner, a game of shuffleboard in the bar. Explore the Fornebu peninsula with its art installations, exciting architecture, Nansenparken and magnificent coastal nature. Art lovers should also visit the Henie Onstad Art Center or Sjøholmen near Sandvika before the tour continues.

Take a tour of the old ironworks at Bærums Verk for a gallery tour and shopping, today a shopping center with over 40 shops and restaurants. The place is idyllically situated along the river Lomma. The sculpture park shows the country's foremost collection of Norwegian sculptors. Fill up the basket of delicacies for the drive from Smelters Mathus and crafts from the unique shops.

A stop in Vollen offers a whole day of experiences; unique shops with jewelery design and fashion, delicious Mediterranean lunch by the water at Vito´s or the taste of Greece at Elea. A popular activity is renting Jet Ski in the marina for a ride to the coastal pearl Konglungen and Middagsbukta, followed by sauna and sea bath at Varm in Vollen. On the other side of the bay, the Oslofjord Museum has changing exhibitions that tell about life on the fjord and boat building traditions. The Polar ship Maud was built here and is now for storage in Tofte, further south on the Hurum Peninsula.
In pleasant Filtvedt there is real danger of staying here in the beautiful white bay with a view to the lighthouse ……. but new experiences are worth the detachment.

World-class geology
You get the feeling of being in Southern Norway all the way along the long coast with small coves and beaches, maritime walks and white seahouses. Explore the unique geology where you see fossils of snails and squid in the stone urns in Slemmestad. The outfield is full of mushrooms throughout the fall, small undisturbed lakes for a dip are nice hiking destinations and you really get away from the hectic everyday life.

The painter town of Holmsbu
Rødangen and Holmsbu were early favorites among the elite of artists, known for their beautiful light. Here the coast is at some of its most beautiful where the fjord opens, the seals colonies reside on the islets and the many nature reserves manage wildlife and plant life. Rent a nice cabin and stay near this coastal pearl that oozes of life from Easter to the autumn holidays, but is well worth a year-round visit. Spend the evening with fine dining at one of the city's restaurants and cafes, listening to live music in the backyard or on the hotel's terrace before the small talk continues into the late morning.

When the morning light comes on, why not start the day in the robes before exploring the area either by renting a canoe, cycling or discovering the galleries for which the place is so famous. The hotel serves a good breakfast with sea views. Just below the hotel there is the possibility to rent the floating sauna and combine the sea bath, togetherness and sauna.

Royal scenery and farm visits
There is something soothing about the presence of the animals, sweaters knit from the finest alpaca wool and to touch the soft fur. Enjoy a day at Bergvang Gård, get close to the beautiful alpacas and ride into the forest on horseback. The Icelandic horse is fun to ride, it is small and strong. The tours take place in the beautiful area at Semsvann in Asker, in the backyard of the Crown Prince´s residence.

Wellbeeing and togetherness
Visit Holmen Fjordhotell to get care of stiff muscles and quality time. Enjoy the afternoon in the hotel's SPA with pool, steam room and jaccuzi. The evening should end with a delicious sea view meal, wine from the house's beautiful wine cellar and a game of shuffleboard.

** Have a good trip**

Peder Balke-Senteret

Welcome to the Peder Balke-center!

In a listed building from the 18th century, gorgeously situated on a hillside facing the lake, you will find our gallery. Inside is the ballroom which Peder Balke decorated with 12 wallpaintings in 1834. In addition to the wall paintings, in summer we host temporary exhibitions featuring the work of contemporary artists.

Peder Balke was a pioneer in 19th century Scandinavian landscape painting. In his pictures, he united the naturalistic vein of the romantic movement with a unique exploration of painting techniques. In recent years, interest in Balke's work has been steadily increasing, 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, culminating in the Peder Balke exhibition 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.

In 2025, the gallery is open from May 10th to September 21nd
De 4 årstider (interiorshop) og Gromt (Café) is open all year around Wednesday – Sunday (except January)

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11 – 16. Sunday: 12 – 16.

Lunch:
Gromt is the center’s own lunch restaurant.
Here you can eat a nice lunch, have a coffee with delicious cakes or order catering.

Interior shop:
The shop “De 4 årstider” is a interior shop with local crafts, local food and more.

The Area:
The sculptures, park and tea pavilion are open to the public at all times and the area around the Peder Balke-center is perfect for hiking.

Groups:
We welcome bookings for group tours outside of opening hours.

The Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection.

Visit this unique collection of close to 40 historic aircrafts ranging from Norway’s first of 1912 vintage to jet fighters that flew at more than twice the speed of sound.

The museum, located at south-west Gardermoen, unravels the fascinating story of Norwegian military airpower in times of peace and war.

Experience the pioneering era, dramatic years of war, the tension of the Cold War and a technical progress without parallel. Also to be seen are theme displays entertaining and educational to all age groups.

In between you can relax in the museum’s café or visit the gift shop. There is also a separate play area for children. And why not try out the cockpit of a real jet fighter for that experience so seldom available to other than ‘the chosen few’?

For opening hours and more information see www.flysam.no

Ample free parking. Welcome!

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Oslofjord Art Center

Welcome to the Oslofjord Art Centre!

This cozy gallery is located 30 minutes south of Oslo in the idyllic artist town of Drøbak. Current exhibitions with established and also new talented contemporary artists are shown here. The gallery has a great love for painting as a medium, but other artistic expressions will also find a place in the gallery. Oslofjorden Art Center wants to present breadth and variety so that the public gets to know the unique language of art.

Painting courses for both adults and children

Oslofjorden Art Center also organizes a number of different painting courses and art events for both children and adults throughout the year. The courses are held by visual artist Elisabeth Frøberg, who also owns and runs the gallery.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Magnor Glassverk

We are continuously working to create new designs and products.

Together with some of the most skilled and exciting designers and craftsmen in Norway today, we create magic!

More information see www.magnor.no

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Tregaardens Christmas House

Did you know that all mail addressed to Santa Claus, Norway ends up in Drøbak? Letters to Babbo Natale, Hoteiosho, Papai Noel, Viejo Pascuero, Dun Che Lao Ren, Père Noël, Father Christmas, Weihnachtsmann or Pai Natal, wishing for anything from material gifts to a better world – all find their way to this tiny cozy little village, only 30 minutes south of Oslo.

In January 1988, Eva and Willy Johansen opened Tregaardens Christmas house, located on the main square of Drøbak. The media was rife with news about this great new building devoted to spark the Christmas spirit all year around.

Today it´s open year around and you can find all kinds of Christmas decorations, some also designed by Eva her self.

In this yellow wooden house you also find Santa’s Post Office, over the years the norwegian Santa Claus has received approximately 500 000 letters to his address, 1440 Drøbak.

Here, both young and old get the opportunity to post their own Christmas letter, stamped with an official Santa Claus mark.

”Christmas is not a trend, it is a tradition” says Eva Johansen. Throughout the years, she has maintained the job opening, reading and answering letters.

In walking distance from the square, you find Drøbak’s harbor where you can snap a picture in front of the famous Santa Sign outside the Tourist Office.

Drøbak is also a great place to go christmas shopping, eat traditional norwegian christmas food or just wander around through the cozy streets with characteristic wooden houses.

The little town of Drøbak offers a Christmas atmosphere all year round, but embraces the spirit full on as the season builds up towards the holidays.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Geologi center

The Geology Center in Slemmestad has an exhibition in the Trilobox containging fossils, rocks and minerals. A model shows the bedrock of Slemmestad which has a unique geology that we find only 3 places in the world.

In the outdoors, you can find octopus fossils, trilobites and snails that lived over 400 million years ago.

Slemmestad is a central part of the Oslo field and has a particularly complex geology. Next to Kolsås, this is probably the place in Norway most used for geological studies. Here you will find in a small area rich deposits of fossils and a wide variety of rocks from the earth's ancient times.

The fossils, which are perhaps the most fascinating, are found almost everywhere. You just need to know what to look for! The fossils here in the area date from the Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian periods, a period from 541 million to 419 million years ago. At that time, Slemmestad's seabed was in a relatively shallow sea. Here it was teeming with animals and plants. Some are similar to those we know today, while others look completely foreign.

The most famous fossils from Slemmestad are squid and trilobites. The trilobites were very common arthropods related to shrimp and crayfish. Along with them lived octopuses, snails and sea lilies. Most notable in recent years are the "football pitch fossils" nedt to Slemmestad Ungdomsskole. It is a relatively new and unique discovery: a gigantic petrified seabed that contains thousands of octopus fossils. In retrospect, a smaller part of the same area has been uncovered behind the local gas station. Both surfaces are full of squid and are a fascinating sight.

We recommend going to Slemmestad to see unique world-class stones and fossils. Visit us at the geology center for tips on where to go.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo