Scan Magazine – August 2018

Issue 115 | August 2018 | 37

Web: http://www.kajsa.no

Facebook group: Kajsas glass og

keramikk

Contact: [email protected]

In a studio and shop in Jølster, on the western side of Norway, Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden
produces beautiful aprons to be worn with the bunad, the Norwegian national costume.
She inherited the traditional expertise from her great-grandmother Engel Astrup,
wife of the famous Norwegian painter Nikolai Astrup, who worked with textile prints.
Once set to be forgotten, the traditional designs now live on for future generations to
wear and enjoy.

By Alyssa Nilsen | Photos: Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden Kunst og Håndverk

Having discovered her great-grand-
mother’s legacy, Astrup-Geelmuyden re-
searched traditional techniques and de-
veloped new linocuts from scratch. She
always uses the same materials as Engel
Astrup. The creative artist pours hours
of work into each apron, producing exact
replicas of the original aprons and Engel
designs with exquisite details, and the de-
mand for the products is steadily growing.
Among the many customers is Queen Sonja
of Norway, who picked up a couple of the
aprons during her visit to the shop.

A Norwegian legacy for future generations

Though the majority of Astrup-

Geelmuyden’s time is now devoted to tex-

tile print, she also produces beautiful glass

art and ceramics. Each product handmade

and unique, she prefers to make one-of-a-

kind items or small limited-edition series,

ensuring the exclusivity of each product.

Customers are encouraged to visit the

shop, but Astrup-Geelmuyden also ac-

cepts requests and orders from customers

with particular requirements.

For the full course calendar,

please visit: http://www.visitrauland.com/

raulandsakademiet

Raulandsakademiet offers over 60 courses in traditional Norwegian craftsmanship.
If you are interested in learning a new craft technique, or simply want to freshen up
on an old skill while meeting like-minded people, the popular course and activity
centre in Rauland could be the place for you.

By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Raulandsakademiet

As Norway’s largest organiser of cours-
es related to traditional Norwegian crafts,
Raulandsakademiet has over 400 partici-
pants each year. “You can study everything
from jewellery making, to upholstery, wood
carving or sewing,” says course administra-
tor Ann Mari Jore. With an extensive back-
ground in art, she is committed to helping
others discover a similar passion for crafts.
Whether it is learning about how to build
traditional log houses or creating unique
silver jewellery for the Norwegian national
costume, the centre has people travelling
from near and far to participate in its many
courses. “Participants are often people in-
terested in particular crafts, who lack a sup-
portive community in their hometown. They
therefore come to us to meet like-minded

Learn traditional Norwegian crafts

artisans, and to learn more, discuss, work

together, inspire each other and socialise,”

Jore explains.

She adds: “We are keen to have the best

instructors and are therefore working hard

to source experts from all over the coun-

try and from abroad for each field. It is im-

portant for us that people benefit from our

courses and learn as much as possible.”

Summer is the busiest time, with most

courses lasting one week. During the rest

of the year, the workshops are occupied by

the local university, with a few courses ar-

ranged during autumn.

Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Norwegian Artisans

Kari Astrup-Geelmuyden’s products are all handmade and unique.

Ann Mari Jore.