ASF + Scan House @ScanHouse

See a Virtual Studio Visit with the Norwegian – American artist Ida Lorentzen in Oslo, Norway! Ida Lorentzen is known for her paintings of rooms, spaces and light, with works reflecting both Nordic mystical detachment and stark American realism and filled with a deep reverence to history of places and lived life. Watch the full clip: youtube.com/watch?v=Jvl9yR…

Our teen art workshops return tomorrow at 12 (July 21)! Each class invites a meditative and attentive approach, encouraging students to discover inspiration from both inner and outer worlds. Sessions conclude with supportive group reflections that honor each participant’s process and discoveries. In tomorrow's course, students will explore and experiment with using graphite pencils and charcoal on paper. scandinaviahouse.org/event/teens-pr…

What do Vikings know about raising children? Turns out, quite a bit. After a decade of living and raising her family in Denmark, Helen Russell noticed important differences in Danish kids. They eat differently, learn differently, and even sleep differently. And then they grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet. So her question was: how? See a past virtual discussion with Helen Russell on her book "The Danish Secret to Happy Kids" as she discusses her deeply researched guide to the Danish way of parenting. youtube.com/watch?v=7iuzQS…

Browse the newest Nordic summer design trends at The Shop! The Shop at Scandinavia House is a lifestyle shop featuring a curated and rotating luxe collection of home décor, tableware, fashion, accessories, children’s, books, gifts and confections. From the recognizable classics and renowned brand names to emerging artists, a journey through Scandinavia awaits. Open Tuesday through Saturday! scandinaviahouse.org/shop/

Every Thursday and Saturday, The Children's Center is open to members and the public! This magical interior landscape transports children from Park Avenue all the way to Scandinavia and back again, without the need for an airplane ticket! Learn more about the center and sign up for a play session here: scandinaviahouse.org/playing-learni…

Next week, on July 21, we will be hosting an art workshop where teens will dive into the exciting world of color through hands-on exploration and playful experimentation. During this course, students will explore and experiment with using graphite pencils and charcoal on paper. Register: scandinaviahouse.org/event/teens-pr…

The Faroe Islands – 18 islands in the North Atlantic — are grains of sand compared to America. What does art look like in this small place? While Faroese artists only first received formal education 100 years ago, today many artists live and practice on the Islands. Watch a lecture by Dagmar Malena Winther, Acting Director of The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (Listasavn Føroya)! This program took place on June 20 as part of Fog Swept Islands: Faroe Islands Culture Days where Winther discussed Faroese cultural identity within the contemporary arts landscape. youtube.com/watch?v=xe8Hfi…

Björk Cafe & Bistro is serving up the best Nordic cuisine at Scandinavia House! Located on our ground-floor space and operated by renowned chef Ulrika Bengtsson and Sabina Lindmark, Björk (meaning “birch” in Swedish) features beloved Scandinavian classics, American favorites with a Nordic twist, and seasonal favorites, in an updated design reimagined with the help of Swedish designers Åsa Bollvik and Lotta Meynell (founders, Ateljé Nordöst). Happy hour specials from Tuesday to Friday (3-6 PM)! bjorkcafe.com/menu

Save the date! In October, join us for an evening with Danish pianist and former ASF Fellow Ruben Høgh! With a strong focus on sonic experimentation and commitment to artistic innovation, Høgh moves freely between European classical traditions and the raw energy of New York’s Downtown scene. Learn more: scandinaviahouse.org/event/ruben-ho…

In the Nordic countries, stitching has long been more than decoration or domestic craft. It is a necessity, a form of storytelling, survival, memory, and care. In landscapes shaped by cold climates and long winters, textiles have become vessels of warmth, protection, repair, and continuity, carrying traces of everyday life and cultural identity across generations. THE COLD STITCH (opening September 4) brings together artists from across Scandinavia whose practices engage with textiles as both material and language. Through quilting, patchwork, collage, weaving, hand embroidery, sculptural textiles, and visible and invisible stitching, this exhibition explores how textile traditions have continued to evolve within contemporary art. scandinaviahouse.org/event/textile-…

Starting July 14th, we are hosting a workshop series for teens aged 13-18 that offers a gentle introduction to the tactile qualities of materials. In this two and a half hour class, teens will dive into the exciting world of color through hands-on exploration and playful experimentation. Students will explore and experiment with water-based colored paint and water using brushes on paper. Learn more: scandinaviahouse.org/event/teens-pr…

See a discussion and presentation on "The Finnish Front Line: Kekkonen, Kennedy, and Khrushchev’s Cold War Showdown" with author Gordon F. Sander and Consul General of Finland Jarmo Sareva! Held at Scandinavia House on June 2, 2026, the speakers discussed this overlooked chapter of the Cold War as well as the revealing if forgotten episode in the presidency of John Kennedy and his secret offer to help Kekkonen, which the latter rejected, ultimately to avoid making Finland into next front of the Cold War. Watch the full panel: youtube.com/watch?v=_hp2Cl…

Re-explore our Artist Studio tours with a virtual visit with Finnish artist Heidi Hankaniemi! Based in New York City, Heidi works primarily with handmade textiles, embroideries, lace, and crochets, collecting and receiving damaged and discarded handiworks from flea markets and charity shops around the world. In this tour, Heidi will show viewers her studio in Manhattan, and describe a weekly pilgrimage to the Chelsea flea market, while sharing her work and installations. youtube.com/watch?v=5rnhyY…

On the eve of World War II, a handsome young scholar arrived in Paris. The queer, Black son of a housecleaner, who had nevertheless been decorated in the halls of Harvard and Columbia, Reed Peggram flirted with Leonard Bernstein, sat for portraits by famous artists, charmed minor royalty and became like a little brother to famed researcher and writer Jan Gay. Finally in Europe, he ignored the increasingly alarmed calls to return home to a repressive, segregated America and a constrained life as a second class citizen. And as tensions grew and gas masks were distributed in the City of Lights, Reed turned instead to the new life he’d made: with Arne, a tall and dashing Danish scholar. Join us on July 14th to discuss The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram by Ethelene Whitmire! RSVP: scandinaviahouse.org/event/the-rema…

Looking for some virtual-friendly kid's art workshops? Check out some of our favorite Wednesday Workshop activities. In this DIY family activity, you can create looms for weaving with basic household supplies such as yarn, fabrics, and shoe laces. Watch the video: youtube.com/watch?v=SPs6PH…

Coming up in the Fall, on September 17, join us for an evening of Nordic music and stories exploring themes of light and darkness with the newest works by globally acclaimed Nordic and Baltic maestras! This immersive event celebrates collaboration, music in the global arena, and female representation in traditionally male-dominated fields of classical, jazz and musical theatre. Learn more: scandinaviahouse.org/event/sounds-o…

Coming up in the Fall, Scandinavia House, in partnership with New York Textile Month, is pleased to present the third iteration of TEXTILE TAKEOVER, an exhibition, workshop series, and symposium highlighting contemporary Nordic Textiles, coinciding with NY Textile Month in New York City. Featuring an exhibition in the Scandinavia House gallery, the program includes artist talks, a reception, and hands-on workshops. The exhibition opens on Friday, September 4, to Wednesday, September 16, 2026. More details will be announced soon! scandinaviahouse.org/event/textile-…

In September, music at Scandinavia House will return! Violinist Jennifer Gersten, a two-time ASF fellow in Music, delivers an imaginative program of six solo violin works by experimental Scandinavia-based composers, three of which will be presented for the first time in the United States. These works push the violin to its dynamic and timbral extremes, traversing strange territories of far-flung birds, fragmented mutterings, and butterfly wingflaps. Tickets: scandinaviahouse.org/event/jennifer…

Aquavit is a great addition to any summer gathering! It's even better when it is homemade. Learn how to make your own Aquavit with our online tutorial collaboration. Dive into the Nordic spirit's history—including its origins, evolving flavor profiles and traditions—through a video developed by Spritmuseumet in Stockholm, Sweden! youtube.com/watch?v=Hq4y6X…

Learn a new craft this July with our teen art workshop series! On July 20th, this workshop is all about printmaking as an artistic form, and a complete introduction to the techniques and possibilities of linoleum carving and block-printing. Participants will be guided through the exciting process of developing a design, translating it into a linoleum carving and printing it on both paper and fabric. Learn more: scandinaviahouse.org/event/teens-pr…