Scandinavia House

The American-Scandinavian Foundation is pleased to announce Inside Voices, Outside Light: Perspectives on West Nordic Art, opening at Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America on April 18, 2026. A group exhibition featuring 21 contemporary artists from the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway, Inside Voices, Outside Light highlights the unique perspective of these North Atlantic territories, who share cultural and historical ties while each possessing distinct identities and communities. With works ranging across photography, paintings, textiles, film, and sculpture, including three site-specific installations, the exhibition also showcases the diversity and complexity of the region.
Opening Day Celebration – April 18, 2026 <a href="https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/event/curator-walkthrough-inside-voices-outside-light/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Curator Walkthrough</a>: 1 PM, <a href="https://www.goelevent.com/ScandinaviaHouse/e/OpeningDayCelebrationCuratorWalkthrough" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">free</a> <a href="https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/event/inside-voices-outside-light-opening-celebration-artist-panel-the-green-land-screening-book-launch/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Screening of The Green Land</a>: 2 PM, <a href="https://www.goelevent.com/ScandinaviaHouse/e/OpeningDayCelebrationFilmScreeningandPanel" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">free</a> <a href="https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/event/inside-voices-outside-light-opening-celebration-artist-panel-the-green-land-screening-book-launch/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Book Launch and Artist Panel</a>: 3 PM, <a href="https://www.goelevent.com/ScandinaviaHouse/e/OpeningDayCelebrationFilmScreeningandPanel" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">free</a>Connected through geography and culture including Norse history, reliance on marine resources, and shared Arctic/maritime focus distinct from continental Scandinavia, the West Nordic countries form a distinct sub-region within the larger Nordic area. While the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland, all share colonial ties with Denmark, each country has a distinct culture and identity, with geographical locations closer to neighbors in the west: Canada, the U.S., the UK and Ireland. Each region presents a unique perspective.
Borrowing from the title of a collection of poetry by Icelandic poet, translator and film director Sigurður Pálsson, Inside Voices, Outside Light brings together a diverse spectrum of work from the West Nordic region, from the haunting, almost surreal, and authentic images in Inuk Silis Høegh’s four-part film The Green Land; to the high energy and humor of the artist collective The Arctic Creatures; to the intricate and delicate textile tapestries of Ask Bjørlo. With current geopolitical conditions renewing interest in the area, some works also confront misconceptions. Lisbeth Karline Poulsen depicts resistance and strength in reaction to the current annexation threats, while Trine Lise Nedreaas explores our shared experience of a temporal existence in a relentless eternity. The exhibition also features site-specific work by Camille Norment, Hansina Iversen and Jóhan Martin Christiensen.Participating artists include Morten Andenæs (NO), The Arctic Creatures (IC), Per Barclay (NO), Ask Bjørlo (NO), Jóhan Martin Christiansen (FO), Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson (IC), Inuk Silis Høegh (GL), Hansina Iversen (FO), Rannva Kunoy (FO), Nils Erichsen Martin (NO), Trine Lise Nedreaas (NO), Camille Norment (NO), Lisbeth Karline Poulsen (GL), Ragna Róbertsdóttir (IC), Agnieszka Sosnowska (IC), Inuuteq Storch (GL), Silja Strøm (FO), Steina and Woody Vasulka (IC), and Jens Dam Ziska (FO).

Local Event: Inside Voices, Outside Light: Opening Day Celebration

New York County

Gramercy-Murray Hill

New York

Inside Voices, Outside Light: Opening Day...

The American-Scandinavian Foundation is pleased to announce Inside Voices, Outside Light: Perspectives on West Nordic Art,...

Inside Voices, Outside Light: Opening Day Celebration

Discover the beauty and simplicity of the fretted dulcimer in this engaging, hands-on instrument workshop led by musician, writer, and folklorist Nils Caspersson. Rooted in Swedish tradition and influenced by 19th-century Scandinavian-American design, the fretted dulcimer features a distinctive hourglass shape, diatonic fret pattern, elegant scroll, and heart-shaped sound holes. Historically connected to instruments such as the Moraharpa, Hummel, and Psalmodikon, it likely made its way to America with Scandinavian immigrants traveling along the Erie Canal prior to the Civil War.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of dulcimer playing in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment in two Saturday workshops! No prior musical experience is necessary.
Workshop 1 (90 minutes): 11:00 AM
• Introduction to tuning (D-A-D) • Basic strumming techniques • Play your first tune within minutes • Learn a traditional Swedish fiddle tune, “Malberg’s Polska” (printed music provided) • Understanding the dulcimer’s fret pattern • Practice time and preparation tips for the next session • Q&amp;A
Workshop 2 (90 minutes): 3:00 PM
• Playing with a wooden noter • Introduction to harmonics • Learn familiar tunes including “This Land Is Your Land” and “Winter Wonderland” • Chord techniques with “Josephine’s Waltz” • Basics of improvisation • Exploring CAD tuning • Instrument care and maintenance • Q&amp;A
Participants should bring their own fretted dulcimer tuned to D-A-D. A limited number of instruments will be available for those new to the instrument. Come experience how quickly and joyfully you can begin making music!

Local Event: Learn the Fretted Dulcimer with Nils R. Capsersson

Learn the Fretted Dulcimer with Nils R. Capsersson

Discover the beauty and simplicity of the fretted dulcimer in this engaging, hands-on instrument workshop led by musician,...

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Inside Voices, Outside Light: Opening Day Celebration

APR

18

1:00 PM

Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY

Learn the Fretted Dulcimer with Nils R. Capsersson

MAY

2

11:00 AM

Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY