Haven’t you always wondered what happens when art meets history? Edsvik Konsthall offers a unique blend of both. It was once one of Sweden’s largest art galleries. Sadly it closed in 2019.
Edsvik Konsthall began with a group of artists. They lived in Sollentuna. This group formed Konstnärsgruppen in 1985. In 1986, they created Friends of Stallbacken. Their goal was a community center. They named it Duvslaget.
In 1994, they presented an idea to Sollentuna municipality. It was for Konsthall Stallbacken. They wanted a meeting place. It would be for artists and businesses. It would also be for the public in Sollentuna and Stockholm.
Edsvik Konsthall opened in May 1996. It was located at Stallbacken near Edsberg. The buildings were originally stables and barns. They belonged to Edsbergs slott. Sollentuna municipality has owned the castle and Stallbacken since the 1970s.
The gallery had two main buildings. They were called Gallery East and Gallery West. Each year, Edsvik Konsthall held about 15 to 20 exhibitions. These featured Swedish and international artists.
The buildings themselves have a story. The lodge now known as Konsthall Öst was built in 1835. Originally, oxen powered a threshing machine outside. The barn is now Konsthall Väst. It was built around 1760. It could house 70 dairy cows. Farming stopped here in the mid-1950s. After that, smaller businesses occupied the area.
Sollentuna municipality decided to renovate the lodge in 1996. They hired architects from BJ-Konsult AB. The goal was to create Edsvik Konsthall. In 2007 and 2009, the barn was also renovated. Kask arkitektur AB and Reppen Lizell AB designed the art school and gallery.
Maria Fridh was the first director of Edsvik Konsthall. She served from 1996 to 2002. Stefie Goudaki followed from 2002 to 2003. Ricardo Donoso took over in 2004.
In 2005, Ricardo Donoso reopened the art gallery with an exhibition. It was called Corpus. It featured six contemporary artists from Mexico. Their works included painting video art and installations. There was also an exhibition. It showcased graphics and watercolors by Günter Grass. These were inspired by H.C. Andersen’s fairy tales.
Stallbacken is located by the northern shore of Edsviken. It has a grand view. Sollentuna municipality wanted Topia to create a unique place. It would serve the northern Stockholm region.
The design highlights the existing qualities. The courtyard character and the view are key. A stage extends toward the water. Performances happen with the bay as a backdrop. The area became an extension of the art gallery. It could be used for exhibitions and vernissages. The goal was to create a destination. It would be a place for picnics play and art. It would also be a landmark for Edsviken.
Today Edsvik Konsthall may be closed. It remains a significant part of Sollentuna’s cultural history.