Programme of the week
Announcement – National Gallery of Iceland
The Einar Jónsson Museum and the National Gallery of Iceland to Merge
Over the past year, work has been underway to merge the Einar Jónsson Museum and the National Gallery of Iceland. Government policy supports the consolidation of institutions with the aim of strengthening their operations and public services, while ensuring more effective use of public funds.
“Bringing these two museums together is something we approach with great enthusiasm. I am confident that both institutions will be strengthened through this merger and that visual art will gain a stronger voice within society,” says Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir, Director of the National Gallery of Iceland.
The Einar Jónsson Museum and the National Gallery of Iceland to Merge
Event · 6 January – Einar Jónsson Museum
✨ Twelfth Night Celebrations at the Einar Jónsson Museum ✨
The magnificent Einar Jónsson Museum will become part of the National Gallery of Iceland at the turn of the year. This milestone will be marked with a first celebration: a joyful Twelfth Night gathering in the museum garden and inside the museum.
Crackling fire pits and sparkling star lights will illuminate the garden among the museum’s fairy-tale sculptures. Songs will fill the air, and warm drinks will be served.
Inside the museum, there will be an art workshop for children and families of all ages, featuring magic wands made from birch branches and moments for making wishes. Storytelling sessions will take place every fifteen minutes, with folktales from around the world.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Twelfth Night Celebrations at the Einar Jónsson Museum
Announcement – National Gallery of Iceland
New Exhibitions Project Manager at the National Gallery of Iceland
Auður Jörundsdóttir has been appointed Exhibitions Project Manager at the National Gallery of Iceland. She will work closely with the museum’s Curator of Exhibitions on the implementation of exhibitions and collaborative projects, both across Iceland and internationally.
In addition, she will contribute to the museum’s collaborations with ministries, embassies, and other state institutions.
New Exhibitions Project Manager at the National Gallery of Iceland
Three Violas: Laurie Anderson, Martha Mooke and Eyvind Kang at the National Gallery of Iceland — SOLD OUT
We are grateful for the warm reception of this unique event at the National Gallery of Iceland, taking place on 8 January in honour of Steina. The evening brings together three pioneering musicians — Laurie Anderson, Martha Mooke and Eyvind Kang — who will each perform a distinctive 30-minute musical set within Of the North, Steina Vasulka’s monumental video installation at the National Gallery of Iceland.
All three performances on the evening are sold out.
Three Violas SOLD OUT
Course 2026 – Einar Jónsson Museum
🎓 Adult Course
Drawing at the Einar Jónsson Museum
The Einar Jónsson Museum is a unique space, simultaneously the artist’s studio, exhibition gallery, and former home. Participants will explore Einar Jónsson’s visual world, from its largest sculpture — the museum itself — to individual works dispersed throughout its rooms and floors.
The course focuses on the fundamentals of drawing — form, line, and movement — working directly from observation. Emphasis will be placed on flow and creative drawing methods. The course is suitable both for beginners and for those wishing to deepen their drawing skills.
The course consists of two evening sessions, held on:
18 and 25 February, 5:15–7:00 pm
All materials are provided.
Instructor: Margrét H. Blöndal, visual artist
Information and registration here
Drawing at the Einar Jónsson Museum
Course 2026 – Einar Jónsson Museum
🎓 Adult Course
Perspectives on the Art of Einar Jónsson
Participants will explore the life and work of Einar Jónsson, a pioneer of Icelandic sculpture. The course is based on the book Seeing Souls, which places particular emphasis on the interpretation of the sculptor’s works. Attention will be given to the symbolic world of the sculptures and to how Einar Jónsson’s art reflected the national awakening and cultural discourse of his time.
The course offers participants an opportunity to view Einar Jónsson’s work in a new light and to gain a deeper understanding of his influence on Icelandic art history.
The course consists of two evening sessions, held on:
18 and 25 March, 5:15–7:00 pm
Instructor: Sigurður Trausti Traustason, former president of the board of the Einar Jónsson Museum
Information and registration here
Perspectives on the Art of Einar Jónsson
Visual Arts Courses 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
🎨 New courses begin in January — Registration now open!
The National Gallery of Iceland offers ambitious visual arts courses for children aged 7–9 and 10–12 at the museum’s art studio on Fríkirkjuvegur during the spring term 2026. The courses have proven very popular, and places are often limited.
The courses are based on the museum’s exhibitions, where artworks are explored through close looking and discussion. Emphasis is placed on developing participants’ sensitivity to colour and form, followed by hands-on creative work using a variety of materials and media, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
The aim of the courses is to encourage children to approach visual art with confidence and curiosity. Teaching is experience-based and dialogical, combining conversation with practical, hands-on making. At the end of the course, an exhibition will be held for friends and family, showcasing the participants’ work.
Information and registration here
Visual Arts Courses for Children
Museum Shop 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
New Arrivals in the National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop
The National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop is filled with carefully selected gift items, greeting cards, jewellery, posters, books, and more.
Among the shop’s highlights is this small Weekender made from reflective material. The pattern was designed by Brynhildur Pálsdóttir and is derived from the National Gallery of Iceland’s visual identity.
Reflective Weekender