Exhibits

Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980. March 24-July 23, 2023. Milwaukee Art Museum.

This blockbuster exhibition is dedicated to the extensive design exchanges between the United States and Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland during the 20th century. It includes a whole Volvo; a troll doll; amazing silver, furniture and pottery; and many textiles. It also includes Frida Hansen’s monumental tapestry, Sørover (Southward).

Want to read more before planning a trip? Here are reviews:

Leading With Our Hearts ~ Ojibwe, Sami and Nordic Designs From Nature.  March 17-April 29, 2023. Nordic Center, Duluth, Minnesota.

This exhibition will feature traditional and contemporary floral and geometric designs from Ojibwe, Nordic and Sami textile traditions. Ojibwe floral beadwork and regalia from Fond Du La Reservation members and Swedish-Norwegian inspired paintings of folk dress motifs, embroideries and tapestries will be presented in an installation to promote the healing power of nature and to celebrate cultural traditions of the North.

Scandinavian Design in the United States, 1890-1980

An Article about Sámi Weaving Traditions

Safeguarding Practices is a website designed to share experiences in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the Nordic and Baltic region, under the auspices of The UNESCOs 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The webpage is developed in collaboration with the Nordic and Baltic network on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

One of the articles about Norway, “Good Practice from Norway: Keeping Sámi Weaving Tradition Alive,” begins: “The weaving of belts, shawls, shoelaces, bands and other garments is typical of traditional Sámi handicrafts, called duodji in the North Sámi language. Duodji is an essential part of the living culture of the Sámi, the indigenous peoples of Northern Europe who live in Norway, Sweden, Finland and North-West Russia.”

Find Inspiration in Beautiful Norwegian Textiles from Husfliden

Norwegian Textile Letter readers who have traveled in Norway know about Norsk Husfliden stores found in towns throughout Norway. Their website is a beautiful place to browse. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know Norwegian — You’ll still find inspiration, and I’ll bet you could even figure out how to order items. The page says: “Norsk Design. Made to be used. Made to last. Norwegian design is always a good idea. Here are some of our favorites.”

Sign up for their nyhetsbrev (newsletter). It doesn’t come out often, but each time you will be inspired by the beautiful products and photography.

Help support wonderful articles on Scandinavian textiles with a donation to the Norwegian Textile Letter. Thank you! Tusen takk!