Laxholmen kulturhus i Munkfors

Experience this summer’s highlight 50/50 Ups ’n’ Downs, a diverse art exhibition in a unique venue – featuring guest exhibitors Siw Malmkvist and Lasse Kronér and more.

On Saturday, 13 June, the doors finally open. As always, this year’s theme invites personal and creative interpretations where technique, materials, colour, and form meet in unexpected combinations.

Special Guest Exhibitors

Siw Malmkvist and Lasse Kronér – two well-known Swedish personalities who, alongside their musical careers, nurture a strong passion for painting.

Participating Artists in This Year’s Themed Exhibition

IngBritt Wikström-Svensson | Sebastian Larsson | Daniëlle VoulonJan “Janne” Thorstensson | Nenne Schött von Koppy | Mikael HillDespina Moysidou | Pär Westling | Kristina Andersson | Pix BodinJohanna Asker | Jan Löfgren | Marie SandbergLennart Schyberg | Magdalena Andersson | Daniel EngströmNenne Westlund | Jonas Engström | Tereze Andrén | Hans Westlund

Art Coordinator Hans Westlund on This Year’s Theme

“50/50 UPS N’ DOWNS explores the shifts in life that move both upward and downward. The title reflects the balance many people try to maintain as life shifts between periods of energy, joy, and progress, and moments of heaviness, doubt, or standstill.I hope the artists invited to the 2026 summer exhibition will interpret and highlight how these contrasts coexist.The art in 50/50 UPS N’ DOWNS is meant to encourage reflection on the human experience of oscillating, struggling, and continuing to move forward – sometimes upward, sometimes downward.”

Expect an inspiring and exciting mix of art this year!

Follow Laxholmen Kulturhus on Facebook for presentations of all participating artists and updates throughout the summer.

Konstkristallerna

Just like in the past four seasons, this year will also feature artwork created by participants from the daily activity programme in Munkfors Municipality – a much-appreciated contribution that adds further breadth and expressive power.

Bo Englund

Bo was a sculptor who worked in bronze, wood, steel, and stone. He was born in Munkfors on 10 April 1929 and passed away at the age of 93 on 15 October 2022 in Strängnäs.

Over the years Munkfors Municipality has received several donations and today holds an extensive collection of sculptures. The sculptures in the major 2002 donation were inspired by themes such as Genesis, Icarus, and Yin-Yang – works intended as a tribute to life and love.In addition to the permanent exhibition at Laxholmen Kulturhus (in place since 2012), many of Bo’s sculptures are displayed in and around the town centre.At the tourist information office, visitors can pick up a map and descriptions for the Sculpture Walk through central Munkfors.

Other

Don’t miss the children’s creative corner, where young visitors can make their own paintings to hang up!

Previous Exhibitions (reverse chronological order)

2025Hon och Han (She and He)Initiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 16 additional artists.Guest exhibitors: Ciara Janson & Carl-Einar Häckner.

2024Human NatureInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 16 additional artists.Guest exhibition: Bengt Lindström, ahead of the European tour “The Art Tour and Exhibition – The Master of Ancient Nordic Mythology.”

2023TonArtInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 16 additional artists.Guest exhibitors: Plura and Tina Ahlin.

2022100% PalettInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 20 additional artists.Guest exhibitors: Dregen & CajsaStina Åkerström.

2021Mörkret och ljuset / The Darkness and the LightInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 25 additional artists.Guest exhibitor: Petter Alexis Askergren.

2020RecycleArt 2020Initiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 19 additional artists.

2019NATURE OFF COURSEInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 25 additional artists.

2018#ART144VÄRMLANDInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 47 artists from all 16 municipalities of Värmland, with three contributions each.

2017TBTH – The Best They HaveInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 10 additional artists.

2016Go Big or Go Home – Go Small or Do Not Go at AllInitiated by Hans Westlund, featuring 16 additional artists.

2015Göran Hägg & Stefan Lindqvist: TungBo Englund & Axel FlorinJosefin Elfgren: Late Night Wine Art

2014Åke Mokvist: De ovanligas museumBo Englund & Axel FlorinArt from Hans Jansen’s gallery: De drogo till VärmlandTeam Book: Our Journey in Körslaget 2013

2013Åke Mokvist: De ovanligas museumBo Englund & Axel FlorinGroup exhibition: Älgutställning

2012Åke Mokvist: De ovanligas museumBo Englund, Axel Florin, Robert Jäppinen and Knut Olsson.

2011–2005Lars Lerin

Laxholmen Kulturhus is one of the largest exhibition halls in Värmland in terms of floor area.