Seljord Art Association
Faunded 1968

Seljord Art Association and Kunstlåven (The Art Barn) are a unique exhibition venue for contemporary art. Every year, we organize a summer exhibition with the aim of showcasing a diversity of artistic expressions of high quality.

We work to preserve and increase interest in fine art and craftsmanship, and we strive to promote the best of rural culture through exhibitions and programs tailored to various audience groups, including children and youth.

HISTORY

Seljord Art Association (SKF) was founded in 1968. The purpose was broad. The association aimed to organize exhibitions of contemporary art and to work on strengthening and preserving various forms of craftsmanship, music, poetry, folklore, and history. Thus, the art association has been an important cultural carrier for literature, music, visual arts, and local culture throughout the years, with smaller exhibitions and cultural events.

THE EARLY YEARS

Sigurd Telnes, the principal of Seljord Junior High School, was elected as the first leader. Every summer from 1968 until 1990, the junior high school was transformed into a gallery for contemporary art and exhibition space for rural art and craftsmanship. The summer exhibition was a groundbreaking initiative for the association. In Norway, the summers of the 1960s were a vacation period with few cultural offerings. The exhibition soon became a concept known to both artists and audiences far beyond Seljord. Throughout the rest of the year, junior high school students and villagers had the opportunity to experience art by the foremost artists in the country, including through collaborations with the National Touring Exhibitions and the People’s Academy.

ART COLLECTION

Already from the founding year in 1968, the work began to build up a permanent art collection. The collection currently comprises well over 550 pieces, including paintings, prints, and sculptures purchased from renowned artists who have exhibited with us. Parts of the collection are loaned out to municipal buildings, such as schools and public offices.

We also organize exhibitions from our own collection with specific themes, both in conjunction with cultural events and for educational use in junior high school. All subsequent boards and leaders of SKF have largely worked according to the same guidelines, but of course, with certain changes over time.

THE ART BARN

The art association had favorable conditions in the junior high school building, but the desire for its own building was strong. When the nearest neighbor to the junior high school, Seljord Housekeeping School, was closed down, it took only one year before a contract was signed between Telemark County Council and Seljord Art Association for the takeover of the utility building at Seljord Housekeeping School.

The art association took over the former utility building at Seljord Housekeeping School and revitalized it under the name Kunstlåven (The Art Barn) in the 1990s. The rooms maintain their original forms and still have the same names, such as silo, henhouse, pigsty, stable, hay loft, etc. Each room is unique in terms of design, size, light, and materials. This presents both challenges and opportunities, but above all, it gives the space a distinct character that artists find exciting to work with and within. The rooms are separated from each other, allowing artists great freedom without being constrained by neighboring artworks.

With support from the Norwegian Arts Council, Telemark County Council, Seljord Municipality, funds from flea markets, art sales, and extensive volunteer work, the art association managed to upgrade the building with toilets, a café, and a kitchen in the spring of 2006.

Our partners make it possible for us to organize summer exhibitions at the art barn in Seljord. Without this support, we wouldn't have been able to operate the art association as we do today. We greatly appreciate the support.