Art Arkiver

Sjoparken

Sjøparken is located at Agnes near Stavern, where a former industrial area has been transformed into a neighbourhood of art, culture, cafés and seaside activities. Here you can visit Nerdrum Museum, explore artists' studios, enjoy a coffee at Agnes Torg or see the Tangaroa raft that crossed the Pacific Ocean. The historic factory buildings and waterfront setting make Sjøparken an interesting place to explore, whether you come for the art, the activities or a walk by the sea.

Discover the art of Odd Nerdrum
At the heart of Sjøparken is Nerdrum Museum, housed in the historic Pipehuset building at the former Agnes factories. The museum presents a permanent exhibition of paintings and other works spanning more than half a century of Odd Nerdrum's artistic career. The museum explores Nerdrum's figurative paintings and the stories behind them. The former industrial building provides a distinctive setting, with traces of its manufacturing past still visible in the surroundings. Guided tours can also be booked in advance.

Explore the artists' studios
Kunst i Sjøparken brings together artists and craftspeople working with painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, textiles and jewellery. The former factory buildings now house studios and galleries featuring a wide range of artistic styles and techniques. Exhibitions and open studio events take place throughout the year. Visitors can discover the local creative community and see works made using different materials and methods. Opening times vary between studios, so check which exhibitions are open before visiting.

See the Tangaroa raft from the Pacific expedition
One of Sjøparken's most distinctive attractions is Tangaroa, the balsa raft that crossed the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Polynesia in 2006. Led by Norwegian explorer Torgeir Higraff, the expedition was inspired by Thor Heyerdahl's famous Kon-Tiki voyage in 1947. The raft was later used during the filming of the feature film Kon-Tiki and is now displayed in a park area at Sjøparken. Visitors can see a vessel whose story reaches far beyond the shores of Larvik.

Cafés, bouldering and other activities
At Agnes Torg, Havfuglen Café offers food and drinks beneath old chestnut trees. Located next to Nerdrum Museum, it makes a convenient stop between exhibitions. Sjøparken also has a range of activities. At Bulder og Brak, you can try indoor bouldering, while other facilities in the area offer fitness training and martial arts. These activities are operated by different businesses, each with its own opening hours and possible membership or booking requirements.

Combine your visit with a coastal walk
Sjøparken sits beside the Larvik Fjord, close to Lillevikstranda beach and nearby walking areas. Combine a museum visit or coffee break with a stroll by the water or a trip to the beach. The marked Fjordstien coastal trail between Larvik and Stavern passes through Sjøparken. The full route is approximately 9.6 kilometres long, taking walkers past forest trails, beaches, rocky shoreline and small harbours. You can also choose a shorter section of the route for a relaxed walk along the coast.

Plan your visit
Sjøparken is located at Agnes, north of Stavern town centre. The visiting address is Sjøparken, 3290 Stavern. From Larvik, you can take a bus towards Stavern and get off at Agnes or Skaubakken. The outdoor areas are publicly accessible, while the museum, café, artists' studios and activity facilities have their own opening hours. Nerdrum Museum operates with seasonal public opening hours and also offers guided tours by advance booking. Check the museum's website for current opening times and admission prices.

Some artists' studios open during exhibitions and special events, while others welcome visitors by appointment. Several activity providers also require separate arrangements. Check directly with each operator before travelling. Sjøparken has a property information and viewing centre, normally open on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm, with evening and weekend visits by appointment. These hours apply to the viewing centre only, not to the museums or other attractions.

Visit the Sjøparken website for information about art, activities, cafés and current visitor details.

Ormen Våge

Ormen Våge is a 30-metre-long dragon sculpture stretching across the façade of a multi-purpose sports and cultural hall in Revetal, in Tønsberg municipality. Created by artist Stig Skjelvik, the artwork combines Norse mythology, traditional Norwegian woodworking and modern lighting technology. During the day, you can explore its dark, scale-like surface. After sunset, digital lighting can transform the dragon's appearance.

A dragon brought to life by light
Ormen Våge takes the form of a long dragon stretching across the building's exterior. Its surface is covered in overlapping dark wooden shingles, resembling the scales of a dragon, with a lighting system concealed beneath them.

The installation contains approximately 1,800 individually controlled lighting points. When the light animations are operating, changing patterns create the illusion of movement, making the dragon appear to come alive. This makes the sculpture interesting to experience both during daylight and after dark. In the evening, the relationship between its form, materials and lighting becomes more visible.

Inspired by Vikings and stave churches
The sculpture was developed following an art competition centred on the medieval history of Re. Stig Skjelvik drew inspiration from Norse mythology and the traditional craftsmanship found in Norwegian stave churches. The dragon's outer surface is constructed from wooden shingles made of slow-grown, resin-rich pine known as malmfuru. The shingles were produced by Husanotra, a specialist organisation preserving traditional Norwegian woodworking skills.

The timber is treated with a pine-tar-based oil similar to treatments historically used on Norwegian wooden buildings. Each shingle has also been adapted to work with the modern lighting installation. The result is an artwork bringing together centuries-old building traditions and digital technology.

What does Våge mean?
The name Våge comes from the Norwegian verb meaning to dare. In Norse storytelling, dragons could represent both strength and obstacles that people must overcome. The artist used this dual meaning as inspiration. The dragon represents challenges, but also the courage needed to face them. Its location on a sports and cultural hall gives the idea particular significance. Here, children, young people and adults encounter new activities, challenges and opportunities to develop their skills.

Discover Ormen Våge in Revetal
The sculpture is mounted on the exterior of the multi-purpose hall in Revetal and can be viewed from the area outside the building. Walk along the façade to see how the dragon's shape follows the architecture. From close up, you can appreciate the wooden shingles and craftsmanship, while viewing from a distance gives a better impression of its full length. For more art and architectural experiences, explore Visit Vestfold's guide to architecture and sculpture in Vestfold.

Plan your visit
Ormen Våge is located on the exterior of the multi-purpose hall at Skoleveien, 3174 Revetal, in Tønsberg municipality, Norway. The outdoor sculpture can be viewed without an admission ticket or advance booking. Fixed operating hours for the light animations have not been verified, so illumination cannot be guaranteed at any particular time.

Parking, step-free access and possible restrictions around the building should be checked in advance if you have specific accessibility requirements. You can find out more about the artist and his work with lighting installations at Nullohm.

Art for All in the World

The project was developed in times that saw significant changes in the political landscape and Europe was facing an immense migrant crisis. The project wanted to shine light on these issues and as a consequence convey a message that all kinds of people are welcome to our city. Sandefjord has some strong players working with social entrepreneurship and Café Vintage was heavily involved in the project. The café offers training programs mainly for women and their families joined in as volunteers. Naper’n, a youth club at the city centre came along too as volunteers. It all played out very nicely as people from all over the world be it artists or refugees together painted ten murals in a two week period in July 2017. The project kicked off on July 3rd with the Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, opening the event. It all become a massive joint collaboration between businesses and volunteers and the following deserves a big thank you!

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Tenkt Stort, Tenk Sandefjord, Torp Lufthavn Sandefjord, Ramirent, Jotun, Scandic Park Sandefjord, Sandefjord Brann og Redning, Gleditsch fargehandel

You can find the murals at the following locations:

“Peace between nations” by Eduardo Kobra, Brazil – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B

“Trekkfugl” by Aleksei Bordusov (AEC), Ukraine – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B

“Nature for everyone” by Bart Smates Smeets, Belgium – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B

“Stay with me” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B

“We are all refugees” by Matias Sabotajealmontaje, Tenerife – Restaurant Smak, Thor Dahlsgt. 9

“Våre refleksjoner” by Eric Okdeh, US – Parking lot at Storgata 7 

“Vårt Sandefjord” by Eric Okdeh, US Storgata 6 

“Birds don’t have borders” by Peacetu, Brazil/Norway, – By Café Vintage, between Kongensgate 1 and 3 

“The fruits of love” by Luis Lopez Alberto, Peru/Chile – Chr. Hvidts Plass 1

“Never give up” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – At Coop Prix,  Kongensgt. 1B 

“There is more that what you see” by Victor Ash, France/Denmark – Stockfeldsgate 6-8

Art for All in the World was founded by Sharon and Peter Claesson. Art for All is a non-profit organisation working with communities across the globe to harness the power of art as a force for positive change. In 1995, Peter and Sharon's passion for their work led them to Quito, Ecuador for an education and awareness project for 6,000 street children living in the city. They led adventure tours to national parks outside the city. One day during the project, Peter and Sharon learned that there were children living in the prisons of Quito. They decided to visit the prisons and asked permission for these children to join their adventure trips as well. The prisons agreed, and after witnessing the joy of the children during the trips, Peter and Sharon recognized the need to create a more positive environment for these kids, one that would instill a sense of possibility and hope. 

The project then evolved further with the creation of a series of murals on the prison walls and throughout Quito in areas in need of regeneration. This proved to be a transformative experience, not only for Sharon and Peter, but also for those involved with the project. Many of the prisoners went on to exhibit and sell work and secure jobs following their release. This defining moment in Quito was the launch pad for Sharon and Peter who realized the need for public art and the joy that comes from creating with a community. They have gone on to run projects across the globe under the banner of Art for All ever since. Their largest project to date is a project where they did 70 murals in 70 countries simultaneously. The project in Sandefjord is the first in Northern Europe.

An amazing artist Victor Ash from the Art for All family was unfortunately not able to come in 2017. However, in June 2018 he came and painted a mural where he interpreted the challenges we are facing with climate change. You can find the mural at Stockfeldsgate 6-8. In August 2018 a local artist Linn Horntvedt will do a piece in Stockfeldsgate too.

Sti for øye – Path for the eye

Sti for øye is an outdoor art gallery at Fossnes in Stokke, where sculptures, installations and nature come together along an almost two-kilometre woodland trail. Explore artworks that interact with the trees, light and landscape of the Vestfold forest. The trail is open year-round, and after dark, atmospheric lighting illuminates both the art and the surrounding woodland.

An art trail through the Vestfold forest
Sti for øye was created as a tribute to the forest and its natural diversity. Landscape architect Rainer Stange designed the trail to follow the contours of the terrain, winding between trees and art installations. The path is covered with distinctive red rhomb porphyry stone, creating a striking “red carpet” through the forest. The experience is about more than looking at art. Listen to birdsong, notice the changing light beneath the trees and discover how the artworks encourage you to see the surrounding nature in new ways.

Discover sculptures and installations along the trail
Sti for øye features works by Norwegian and international artists. Several installations were created specifically for the site, incorporating the forest into their artistic expression. Among the works are Morpheus by Lars Widenfalk, Ulvene (The Wolves) and Gaupa (The Lynx) by Sally Matthews, and Blåbær (Blueberries) by Sverre Tveito Holmen. You can also discover Lydstrålen (The Sound Beam), featuring poetry by Harald Sverdrup, and Poesioasen (The Poetry Oasis), where art, architecture and poetry meet. The artworks vary in size, materials and expression. Some are immediately visible, while others reward a closer look.

Himmeltrappen – the Sky Stairs
One of the trail's most distinctive features is Himmeltrappen (The Sky Stairs), designed by architect Todd Saunders. The structure offers a different perspective on the surrounding landscape, with views towards Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg. The trail is almost two kilometres long, so allow plenty of time to explore the installations and enjoy the woodland setting.

Experience the illuminated forest after dark
Sti for øye is open 24 hours a day, throughout the year. Lighting designer Erik Selmer created the illumination scheme that highlights the trail, artworks and surrounding trees. The lights switch on automatically at dusk. An evening visit offers a different atmosphere, with the illuminated installations emerging from the dark forest.

Art and nature for the whole family
Sti for øye is suitable for art lovers, nature enthusiasts and families looking for an unusual woodland walk. The trail has been designed to accommodate visitors using pushchairs and wheelchairs. The official trail map also marks a gentler approach suitable for wheelchair users. Conditions may vary with the weather, particularly during periods of snow, ice or heavy rain.

Guided tours for groups
Guided tours are available for groups of at least ten people. Tours generally last between one and two hours. Talks and refreshments may also be arranged on request. Contact Sti for øye in advance to discuss availability and arrangements.

Plan your visit
Sti for øye is located at Fossnesveien 3, 3160 Stokke, in Sandefjord municipality.
The outdoor gallery is accessible 24 hours a day, all year round. The trail is almost two kilometres long, but allow extra time to enjoy the artworks at a relaxed pace. Lighting switches on automatically at dusk. If you are planning an evening visit, contact the organisers to confirm when the lights are switched off. Visit the official Sti for øye website for more information and a map of the trail.

For more art experiences in Vestfold, explore Sculptures in Sandefjord or Midtåsen Sculpture Pavilion.

The Nesjar Monument

The Nesjar Monument stands on the waterfront in Helgeroa, Brunlanes, near Larvik. It commemorates the Battle of Nesjar in 1016, an important event in Norwegian medieval history. Created by artist Martin Kuhn, the monument was unveiled in 2016 to mark 1,000 years since Olav Haraldsson defeated the forces of Svein Jarl. Here you can discover a chapter of Norway's history while enjoying views of the harbour and fjord.

A monument to the Battle of Nesjar
The Nesjar Monument was created by artist Martin Kuhn for the Nesjar 2016 anniversary project. It was unveiled on 29 July 2016, St Olaf's Day, to commemorate the millennium of the Battle of Nesjar. Standing beside the waterfront in Helgeroa, the monument connects this historic event with the coastal landscape where Viking ships once travelled. Take a moment to explore the monument during your visit to the harbour. Look out across the fjord and imagine how a naval battle might have unfolded in these waters more than a thousand years ago.

The naval battle that changed Norwegian history
On Palm Sunday in 1016, the forces of Olav Haraldsson and Svein Jarl met in a major naval battle at Nesjar. Olav emerged victorious, strengthening his position as king and influencing the subsequent unification of Norway. The battle is described in several medieval sources, including Snorri Sturluson's kings' sagas and Nesjavísur, a poem by the skald Sigvatr Þórðarson. The exact number of ships and warriors involved remains uncertain. However, historical sources make clear that the battle played an important role in the struggle for power in Norway.

Where did the Battle of Nesjar take place?
Historians have debated the precise location of the battle. The waters near Helgeroa, Værvågen and Mølen are among the areas suggested.
The exact battlefield has not been conclusively established. The monument in Helgeroa therefore commemorates the historic event rather than marking an archaeologically confirmed battle site. Mølen is also an attraction in its own right, with ancient burial cairns, a vast pebble beach and an open coastal landscape that offers insights into Vestfold's early history.

Combine your visit with the Helgeroa waterfront
Helgeroa is a pleasant place to combine history with a walk beside the sea. From the harbour, you can watch the boats and enjoy views across the Langesund Fjord. During the summer, you can also travel with Helgeroa Ferries, connecting Helgeroa with islands in the Langesund Fjord and the town of Langesund. If you prefer walking, the coastal trail continues through Brunlanes towards Mølen, where natural scenery and cultural history meet along the shoreline.

Plan your visit
The Nesjar Monument is located at Helgeroa Brygge, 3295 Helgeroa, in Larvik municipality, Norway.
The monument stands outdoors and can be viewed throughout the year. Visiting is free, with no ticket or advance booking required.
The monument is easy to include in a walk around the harbour. Parking arrangements, step-free access and any local access restrictions should be checked if you have specific requirements. Allow a few minutes to see the monument, or spend longer exploring Helgeroa and the surrounding coastline.

Galleri Brown

Galleri Brown is a small art gallery and shop in a distinctive red wooden house beside the historic Kurbadet building in central Sandefjord. Discover Norwegian visual art, ceramics and printmaking, with works by the artists who run the gallery as well as other invited Norwegian artists and craftspeople. Visitors can browse original artworks, find handmade gifts and take part in creative courses and workshops.

Discover Norwegian art and fine crafts
Galleri Brown brings together paintings, prints, ceramics and contemporary crafts in a welcoming, personal setting. The gallery presents work by its resident artists alongside pieces by other Norwegian artists and craftspeople. The selection changes, offering visitors the opportunity to discover different materials, techniques and artistic expressions. Take time to explore the artworks, ask questions and find something special to take home.

Meet the artists behind Galleri Brown
Galleri Brown is run by ceramic designer Rita Lysebo Egren and visual artist and printmaker Unn Holvik Stenersen.
They have operated the gallery in the small red house beside Kurbadet since 2014. Rita works with ceramics, including wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. Unn specialises in visual art and printmaking, bringing experience in several traditional printmaking methods. Together, they create a gallery that combines artistic expertise with a personal approach to visitors.

Explore ceramics and printmaking workshops
Two well-equipped studios are located alongside the gallery. The ceramics studio offers opportunities to explore wheel throwing and hand-building, while the printmaking studio supports techniques including lithography, relief printing and intaglio. Courses are available, and the studios may also be rented for independent creative work. Contact the gallery for current course programmes, availability and prices.

Creative café and group activities
Galleri Brown also organises hands-on activities for individuals, friends, private groups and businesses.
The Creative Café programme includes activities such as ceramic painting, mosaics, ceramic flowers and linocut printing.
Visitors can enjoy a creative experience even without previous experience, while private groups and companies can enquire about tailored workshops, creative evenings and team-building activities. Find further information at Galleri Brown's official website or contact the gallery to arrange an activity.

Explore more art in Sandefjord
Galleri Brown is located beside the historic Kurbadet, within easy reach of Sandefjord's shops, cultural attractions and waterfront.
Continue your art experience at Galleri ER in Kongens gate, or discover more public artworks through Sculptures in Sandefjord.
The gallery is a convenient stop on a walk through central Sandefjord.

Plan your visit
Galleri Brown is located at Thor Dahlsgate 7, 3210 Sandefjord, Norway. The gallery is normally open Thursday to Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. The artists can also be contacted outside regular opening hours. You can stop by for a short gallery visit or spend longer taking part in a course or creative activity. Courses and studio use must be arranged separately. Contact the gallery in advance for information about group visits, accessibility or special arrangements. For more details, visit galleribrown.com.