Programme of the week
Event – 27 November 2025 | National Gallery of Iceland
Long Thursday
Reception for the Donation of Linocuts by Ásta Sigurðardóttir
You are warmly invited to a reception on Long Thursday from 20:00 to 21:00 at the National Gallery of Iceland, where the museum will formally receive a donation of linocuts by Ásta Sigurðardóttir.
Ásta Sigurðardóttir (1930–1971) demonstrated remarkable artistic talent from an early age, both as a writer and visual artist. She first gained attention with her short story Sunday Evening to Monday Morning, published with her own illustrations in the magazine Líf og list in 1951. Ten years later, her short story collection of the same name appeared—an audacious and provocative work that challenged prevailing moral norms. Fourteen of Ásta’s linocuts accompany the book, serving as symbolic and expressive visual interpretations of the text.
Ásta’s descendants have carefully preserved the original blocks she carved for the 1961 publication and have now chosen to donate them to the National Gallery of Iceland. The formal handover will take place next Thursday. A selection of the blocks will be on view, along with prints owned by the Gallery, produced in 2023 by printmaker Guðmundur Ármann from Ásta’s linocuts at the initiative of her family.
On the last Thursday of every month, the National Gallery of Iceland is open until 22:00.
The café, Kaktus Espressobar, is also open until 22:00 and offers Happy Hour on wine and beer from 17:00 to 20:00. A tapas platter with a glass of wine is available for 2,900 ISK.
Facebook: (20+) Fimmtudagurinn langi / Good Thursday | Facebook
Event 29 November 2025 – National Gallery of Iceland
Barre Fit at the National Gallery of Iceland 🤸🏼
with Dóra Júlía
Barre instructor, DJ, and vibe-creator Dóra Júlía hosts a morning session at the National Gallery of Iceland on Saturday, November 29th from 9–10 AM, where movement and art meet.
Dóra Júlía has long taught both barre and pilates at World Class and leads fun exercises that strengthen, mobilize, and lengthen all the body’s muscles.
The class takes place in a unique space surrounded by a video installation by Steina Vasulka.
Steina is a pioneer in visual art based on sound, video, and digital technology, and her experimental approach and playfulness have influenced generations of artists around the world.
Registration is via email at djdorajulia@gmail.com and the price is 3,500 ISK.
Art Courses 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Spring Semester Art Courses 🎨
Registration Now Open
The National Gallery of Iceland offers creative and exciting art courses for children ages 7–9 and 10–12 at the museum's art studio at Fríkirkjuvegur during spring semester 2026. These courses have been extremely popular, and spaces fill quickly.
Working from the museum's exhibitions, children explore artworks with emphasis on developing their perception of color and form. Participants then get the opportunity to experiment with different materials and work in various media, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
The course's goal is to help children approach visual art with greater confidence and curiosity through experience, dialogue, and hands-on creative work. At the end of the course, participants showcase their artwork in an exhibition for friends and family.
More information and registration: Classes for children | National Gallery of Iceland
Museum Shop 2025 – National Gallery of Iceland
Treasures from the Museum Shop
National Gallery of Iceland
The National Gallery of Iceland’s museum shop is filled with a wide selection of high-quality gifts, including greeting cards, jewelry, posters, books, and much more.
The newest addition to the museum shop is a beautiful gift-wrap paper featuring artworks by Guðmunda Andrésdóttir (1922–2002) and Eyborg Guðmundsdóttir (1924–1977). The paper is a collaborative project between the National Gallery of Iceland and Litróf Printing House, where art and paper come together in a festive gift-wrap edition.
Browse the collection here: Wrapping Paper | Listasafn Íslands
Browse the webstore here