Two New Exhibitions at the American Swedish Institute: "Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order" and "Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art"

Date/Time:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Offer:
General Admission for 2 people — This pass provides two people with admission to view ASI's exhibitions, historic Turnblad Mansion, and Family Gallery.

Event Details:

Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order

Explore the large-scale textile works of Swedish artist Emelie Röndahl (b. 1982) in a new exhibition at the American Swedish Institute. Röndahl uses rya, a traditional Scandinavian weaving technique, to create contemporary figurative works that balance chaos and order. Her large, woven pieces may seem unclear at first, but they reveal themselves upon closer examination. Instead of trimming the excess threads, she intentionally lets them hang, where they appear to be "crying." Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order presents over 20 of Röndahl's iconic tapestries, alongside video works and a newly commissioned self-portrait.

Exhibition Supporters

Handwoven: Between Chaos and Order is hosted by the American Swedish Institute with support from ASI's members and donors. Minnesota artist activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Support for this exhibition is generously provided in part by the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation.

The featured photo is of Emelie Röndahl's work at the Göteborg Konstmuseum. Photo Credit: Angelic Hvass.

Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art

View the traveling exhibition of contemporary Nordic folk arts and cultural traditions from the American region, curated by the American-Scandinavian Foundation. This exhibition features stunning works by 24 artists from the Upper Midwest, including Tia Keobounpheng, Christine Novotny, John Frandy, Talon Cavender-Wilson, Mike Loeffler, and more. This exhibition is also supported in part by the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. Several works will be on view at Norway House's Mondale Gallery.

Highlighting innovations to and variations on traditions, this exhibit presents artists' works as living, malleable forms grounded in traditional skills rather than as static objects rooted in the imagined past.

Through mixed media works, including wood, textile, clay, and metal, the exhibition challenges the dominant "heritage model" of ethnic folklore by emphasizing that "all tradition is change."

Exhibition Supporters

Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art is hosted by the American Swedish Institute with support from ASI's members and donors. This exhibition is a program of the American-Scandinavian Foundation with the support, in part, from The National Endowment for the Arts and the following ASF Funds: The Bonnier Family Fund for Contemporary Art, The F. Donald Kenney Fund for the Visual Arts, and the Centennial/Second Century Fund.

Mid-America Arts Alliance/Exhibits USA is facilitating the Upper Midwest exhibition tour, which is supported by Margaret Cargill Philanthropies, a generous contributor to the exhibition's development.

Generous support also comes from the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. Minnesota artist activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Location:
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Hours of Operation:
Museum (Turnblad Mansion & Osher Gallery) and Museum Store:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 10 am - 4 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm

FIKA Café:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 10 am -4 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm

Enjoy All Day Happy Hour from 10 am – 8 pm on Thursdays! $2 off beer and cocktails + half-priced bottles of wine.

The Museum, FIKA Café, and Museum Store are closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

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Parking Information:
Free parking is available in our surface parking lot, located at 27th Street and Park Avenue. Accessible parking is available on the northeast side of the parking lot. Free street parking is readily available on Park Avenue, Portland Avenue and 27th Street.

Accessibility Information:
ASI offers accessible parking, restrooms, listening amplification, and elevator service. Manual wheelchairs are available on request. Sign language interpreters can be arranged with notice and certified service animals are welcome. For more information, call 612-871-4907.

Organization Details:

Nearly 90 years ago, a new immigrant to Minnesota had a vision to create a vibrant cultural gathering place. Established in 1929, ASI has evolved into a dynamic arts and cultural center that welcomes all people to gather and share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment, and the arts; informed by enduring links to Sweden. From the gallery spaces, featuring local and international exhibitions, to the lively programming set in the historic Turnblad Mansion, to the shop, and award winning restaurant and café – there are many ways to see yourself at ASI and be part of this story.

Reserve a Pass

Offer: General Admission for 2 people — This pass provides two people with admission to view ASI's exhibitions, historic Turnblad Mansion, and Family Gallery.

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 10:00 am

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