Arvika Konsthantverk

Arvika Konsthantverk is a Swedish association of artisans and the operator of Sweden's oldest speciality shop for local arts and crafts, located in Arvika, Värmland. The association was founded on 15 March 1922 by twelve local craftspeople, including the painter and textile artist Maja Fjæstad, who served as chair for the following 25 years. Its purpose was to support and develop arts and crafts in the region and to make it easier for individual artisans to sell their products. The shop opened as early as April 1922 on Hantverksgatan 3 and moved in 1924 to Kyrkogatan 17, where it still operates today. The association grew out of an earlier attempt, Arvikabygdens hemslöjdsförening, formed in 1913 within Värmlands hemslöjd after local craftspeople had exhibited together at the 1911 industrial and craft exhibition celebrating Arvika's town charter and at the Baltic Exhibition in 1914. That first association became dormant when Maja Fjæstad and her family moved back to Stockholm, but the idea was revived in 1922. Today Arvika Konsthantverk is a collectively run shop that continues to challenge and develop Swedish arts and crafts, blending modern design with tradition-bearing forms. Its high-quality craft has roots in the Rackstad colony and the strong craft tradition of the Arvika area. The shop sells ceramics, textiles, metalwork, woodwork and other locally made objects, and also runs a web shop. Beyond retail, members participate in exhibitions, produce their own exhibitions in the shop, and award scholarships. Current members include ceramicist Anders Fredholm, artist Jessica Stuart-Beck, ceramicist Kristine Thenman and ceramicist Kerstin Andersson.

The prehistory of Arvika Konsthantverk begins with the first joint exhibition by Arvika's craftspeople at the industrial and craft exhibition held in 1911 to celebrate Arvika becoming a town. This gathering contributed to the desire to represent western Värmland at the Baltic Exhibition in 1914. On 18 October 1913, the association Arvikabygdens hemslöjdsförening was formed within Värmlands hemslöjd. The industrialist Per Andersson was elected chairman and Maja Fjaestad secretary. Other board members were sculptor Christian Eriksson, textile artist Clara Rönning, Agda Gustafsson, Maria Hallqvist, art smith Petter Andersson and Valdemar Dahlgren. Among the first exhibitors were also chaser Lisa Andersson-Morell (Koppar-Lisa) and ceramicist Riborg Böving. The association remained active for a few years but became dormant when Maja Fjaestad and her family moved back to Stockholm. The second attempt came on 15 March 1922, when interested parties were called to a meeting to form a new association. Its purpose was to "support and develop arts and crafts in the area" and to facilitate sales for individual craftspeople. Twelve people are counted as founders: Maja Fjæstad, textile artist Stina Nilsson (Stina i Taserud), Agneta Fjæstad, textile artist Amalia Fjæstad, art weaver Anna Fjæstad, Riborg Böving, furniture carpenter Gösta Schultzberg, Gösta Persson, ceramicist Carl Nilsson (Carl på San), ceramicist Gottfrid Karlsson (Gôttfrid i Hûlta), sculptor Bo Fjæstad and art smith Lars Holmström. Maja Fjaestad was elected chairman and held the post for the next 25 years. Already in April 1922 the association opened its first shop, the first of its kind in Sweden. The first premises were at Hantverksgatan 3. In 1924 the shop moved to Kyrkogatan 17, where it remains today. The shop has been the hub of the association's activities since the start. Alongside sales, members participate in exhibitions, produce their own exhibitions in the shop and award scholarships. Current members include ceramicist Anders Fredholm, artist Jessica Stuart-Beck, ceramicist Kristine Thenman and ceramicist Kerstin Andersson.

• 1924

  The shop moves to Kyrkogatan 17, where it still operates.

• 1922

  Arvika Konsthantverk is founded on 15 March; the first shop opens in April on Hantverksgatan 3.

• 1914

  Local craftspeople represent western Värmland at the Baltic Exhibition.

• 1913

  Arvikabygdens hemslöjdsförening is formed on 18 October within Värmlands hemslöjd.

• 1911

  Arvika's craftspeople first exhibit together at the industrial and craft exhibition celebrating Arvika becoming a town.

Collectively run shop blending modern design with tradition-bearing forms, rooted in the Rackstad colony and Arvika's craft tradition.

• Ceramics

• Textiles

• Metalwork

• Woodwork

1. 1Arvika Konsthantverk official websitearvikakonsthantverk.se
2. 2Arvika Konsthantverk – Wikipedia (Swedish)sv.wikipedia.org
3. 3Arvika Konsthantverk – Wikidatawikidata.org