Skaftfell’s art education program took place in September and October this year in parallel with Skaftfell’s summer exhibition 2025, Kjarval in the East. The exhibition featured landscape paintings from East Iceland by Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972), most of which are from the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland. Kjarval grew up in Borgarfjörður eystri and he often travelled there in his adult years, drawing inspiration for his works from the majestic landscape of East Iceland.

All students aged 10-12 from East and North East of Iceland were invited to Skaftfell Art Center in Seyðisfjörður where they participated in our education program which included a guided tour of the exhibition, a creative workshop inspired by the exhibition and a visit to the Technical Museum of East Iceland. 

The works were used as a starting point for discussing cultural heritage, painting, nature, near community and myths. During the workshop, led by artist Hanna Christel Sigurkarlsdóttir, students gained further insight into Kjarval’s life and profession through his childhood years and connections to the East, with a focus on Kjarval’s methods and use of color. Finally the students got to enjoy both the outdoor and indoor exhibitions of the Technical Museum. They were introduced to the museum, its role and history through a guided tour and interactive play. 

Twelve schools in the East participated in the project or around 300 students. The project is a part of List fyrir alla and BRAS, a cultural festival for children and young people in the East and is supported by East Iceland Development Fund and Múlaþing. The following companies also contributed to travel costs: Skógarafurðir, Hafaldan, Tanni Travel, Tehúsið, Gistihúsið, Síldarvinnslan, Brúnás, Hótel Holt, Héraðsprent, Trévangur, Skálanes, Lostæti, Launafl, Fagkaup and Alcoa.