The Rackstad Colony
The Rackstad Colony was founded around 1900 and would go on to become Sweden’s foremost artist colony. The Rackstad Colony consisted of a group of artists who moved to the lake Racken north of Arvika. Christian Eriksson, who was a woodworker with an interest for art, grew up in the area. Christian had built a workshop and studio in Arvika and convinced his friends Gustaf and Maja Fjæstad to move there. During the years, more artists such as Björn Ahlgrensson, Fritz Lindström, Ture Ander and Bror Lind moved to the area with their families.
The Rackstad Colony worked in many different kinds of art forms – painting, sculpturing, graphics, textile, woodworking and more. The Rackstad Colony was inspired by the National Romance era, and the nature surrounding Arvika and Lake Racken. Arvika could offer the artist cheap accommodation and a direct access to the inspiring nature.
The Rackstad museum
Oppstuhage, the studio built by Christian Eriksson is located on the grounds of the museum. The studio is well preserved and a visit here gives insight into the Rackstad Colony, how they worked and lived, and their inspiring surroundings.
In the museum shop you’ll find locally produced goods and handicraft.
If you get hungry during your visit, Café Elis offers light lunches and traditional Swedish fika. The café is named after Elis i Taserud, brother of Christian Eriksson and well known in the area surrounding Arvika for his wit and anecdotes which are still told to this day.
Arvika Konsthall
Arvika Konst hall is an art gallery that is an obvious feature of Arvika’s cultural offer. With many visitors, around 8-9 exhibitions per year, exciting workshops for children and adults, as well as several music events throughout the year, Arvika Konsthall captures both Arvika residents and visitors regardless of age. Local, national and international artists exhibit in the beautiful venue, and the Art Gallery has also taken the initiative to highlight and make current topics visible and create a debate. The art gallery is located in a building from 1903, which was originally built as a bank premises. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy the architecture and the many fine details in the building when you visit an exhibition. Read more about exhibitions and opening hours here: https://artworks.se/arvikakonsthall
Galleri pi
The art gallery “Galleri pi”is located in the central parts of Arvika and displays both local, national and international artists. The gallery curator Per-Inge Fridlund was one of the initiators for the Rackstad museum and has previously worked as the director of both Oppstuhage at Rackstadmuseet and Arvika Konsthall.
Sculptures in the town
When walking in Arvika you will notice a lot of sculptures all over the city – many of them made by local artists! If you want to learn more, pick up a folder about the sculptures at Arvika Tourist Information Center located at Storgatan 22.
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