Art of excellence from Innherred
Nils Aas Kuntsverksted i Inderøy. Foto: Dina Rindsem v/Explorative
Exceptional art from Innherred
Renowned artists such as Nils Aas and Jakob Weidemann took their first steps here, drawing inspiration and knowledge from their ancestors and fellow villagers in Innherred.
In Trøndelag and Innherred, artistic and craft traditions reach far back in time. Today, these proud traditions are preserved by dedicated conservators, gallery owners, and niche producers, presented with both a historical and contemporary twist.
Take a tour of Innherred and you’ll experience remarkable art, culture, and the people who safeguard it for future generations.
Nils Aas – the sculptor from Straumen
On 7 June Square in Oslo stands a monument to King Haakon VII. The statue was the first major work created by Nils Aas and is regarded as his masterpiece. It was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of King Haakon’s birth and is considered a landmark in Norwegian post-war sculpture.
Nils Aas triumphed over several older sculptors in the competition for this commission, marking a generational shift in Norwegian art.
Read about Nils Aas and his career as one of Norway’s most important sculptor..
Nils Aas kunstverksted (museum)
At the Nils Aas Art Workshop in Straumen, Inderøy, you’ll get to know the artist, the man, and the story behind Nils Aas.
Muustrøparken
In the park you will find 12 of Nils Aas’ sculptures, including the famous “Flounder” which is situated near the Trondheimsfjord end of the park. Flyndre/Flounder greets visitors with both visual and auditory appeal, enhancing Muustrøparken’s blend of historical and contemporary art.
Galleries and art exhibitions in Innherred
Street art in Innherred
Banksy is without doubt the world’s most famous street artist. We don’t have Banksy here in little Innherred, but we are starting to build a fine collection of street art.
You’ll find these artworks in the centre of Levanger as well as in more secluded spots around the district. Here we present some of them
Duedtie
Duedtie is South Sámi traditional handicraft – a tradition where the products serve not only a functional purpose but also express the unique Sámi aesthetic. Colours and design can vary greatly from region to region. In duedtie, materials sourced from nature are used.
South Sami culture and history in Innherred
The South Sámi culture is steeped in rich history and vibrant mythology. Nestled in the heart of this heritage, Snåsa stands as a vital hub for preserving and celebrating South Sámi traditions.
Explore Your Creative Side in Innherred
Photografy
SAGA Inderøy is the headquarters of NORDphotography, offering exclusive workshops and online courses with some of the world’s most renowned and iconic photographers. Among the inspiring instructors are great names such as Joyce Tenneson, Sylvia Plachy, Arno Minkkinen, Jill Enfield, Eddie Soloway, Amy Arbus, Cig Harvey, Connie Imboden, and Sal Taylor Kydd.
Whether you are an experienced photographer or an enthusiast eager to develop your skills, you are warmly welcome to join. You don’t need to be a professional, but you should feel comfortable with your camera equipment and have basic editing skills. This will enable you to select, retouch, and present the work you create during the workshop.
NORDphotography offers workshops and courses for photographers who want to refine their talent, create engaging projects, improve composition, and find a more personal and creative direction as both photographer and visual storyteller.
By studying with leading photographers who have perfected their creative expression over many years, you’ll have the opportunity to elevate yourself to new levels – both as a photographer and as a creatively thinking individual.
In addition to the inspiring experiences at SAGA, NORDphotography also arranges 2–3 workshops at various destinations each year.
Explore NORDphotography’s workshop programme here!
Levanger Fotomuseum – a part of the Arven museums
Levanger Photo Museum holds around 600,000 negatives from both professional photographers and amateurs, as well as thousands of objects related to photography. The museum specialises in early colour photography and works actively to make its collections accessible to the public.
The permanent exhibition, Renbjør Room, focuses on chemist Harald Renbjør, a pioneer in colour photography. Here you can see Norway’s first true colour photograph, The Skier from 1907, along with a reconstructed chemistry laboratory.
The museum’s first collection, donated in 1984, came from photographers Sverre and Christian Bjerkan. Particularly valuable is the archive of Harald Renbjør. The museum also manages several important regional photo archives.
Textiles
National Costumes and Folk Dress from Innherred have long traditions that have fascinated generations. In Innherred, you can explore both Norwegian and Sámi dress traditions.
Nord-Trøndelag Bunad and Reconstructed Folk Costumes
In the 20th century, there was no living folk costume tradition in Nord-Trøndelag. Hjørdis Halmøy Floan, known as the mother of the Nord-Trøndelag bunad, documented older garments in the county during the 1920s. The result is today’s Nord-Trøndelag bunads, produced by her descendants at Bunadsaum in Inderøy.
Berit Bjerkem from Henning in Steinkjer runs courses and sews reconstructed bunads from the period 1750–1840. These festive garments feature beautiful fabrics and details from the region, all documented through meticulous research over many years.
South Sámi Folk Dress – Gapta
The South Sámi coat, called gaeptie, gapta or gåptoe, varies in colour and cut. Shoe bands and læstoe/bands can indicate gender, age, and marital status. At Saemien Sijte in Snåsa, you can learn about Sámi culture and handicrafts, known as duedtie.
Yarn from the Grey Trønder Sheep
At Bjørka farm shop in Steinkjer, you’ll find hand-spun local yarn from the Grey Trønder sheep. This endangered breed has an excellent fleece, perfect for knitting items such as mittens.
Contemporary Art and Sculpture
Nils Aas Art Workshop – A Creative and Vibrant Place!
Nils Aas Art Workshop (Kunstverksted) is located in the heart of Inderøy, in the idyllic Straumen area, and was established in close collaboration with Nils Aas himself. Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll also find Muustrøparken, featuring several of his sculptures. Inside the workshop, you’ll encounter a unique collection of art, where Nils Aas personally arranged the exhibition in his distinctive style.
Contemporary Art
In addition to the permanent Nils Aas exhibition, the gallery hosts exciting Norwegian and international contemporary art. Nils Aas Art Workshop presents five exhibitions annually – the programme is available on their website. The workshop also offers activities for children and young people every other Sunday, and group courses with an art facilitator can be booked.
Muustrøparken Sculpture Park, Inderøy
Muustrøparken in Inderøy is a sculpture park in Straumen, created by sculptor Nils Aas. It offers beautiful nature experiences along the river, with several artworks integrated into the lush surroundings.
Kunstrom Jakob – A Space for Contemporary Art
Kunstrom Jakob is an exhibition venue for contemporary art located in Steinkjer Cultural Centre. Through changing exhibitions of visual art and crafts, visitors gain insight into the diverse artistic expressions and practices of today.
Inspired by the legacy of Jakob Weidemann, the space showcases nationally significant artists and works of high quality.
Each year, Kunstrom Jakob presents 3–4 exhibitions curated by Nils Aas Art Workshop. In collaboration with the board of the
Jakob Weidemann Memorial Grant, a solo exhibition featuring the annual grant recipient is also displayed.
Kunstrom Jakob is operated by the Arven Museums through Nils Aas Art Workshop, in partnership with Steinkjer Municipality.
Sculptures in Steinkjer’s Townscape
Steinkjer features numerous sculptures in its urban landscape, including busts of poet XX and folk musician Hilmar Alexandersen. You’ll also find a bust of women’s rights advocate XX outside Steinkjer Church. See the full overview on this map.
Nils Aas Kunstverksted -En skapende og levende plass
National Costumes and Folk Dress
When you wear a bunad, you carry the history of where you come from. Bunads and folk costumes tell your own story through their beautiful embroidery and exclusive fabrics—a story of trade across borders, the exchange of knowledge and experience, reuse, and resourcefulness.
These garments are made with fabrics and techniques that have survived for centuries. As you walk, you can almost feel the breath of the past swirling around your legs, bringing history to life.
