Nordic Crowns & Beyond: In Praise of Women

By Lise Lunge-Larsen

The tradition of wearing an ornate bridal crown in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland is an ancient custom that continues to evolve today. In celebration of International Women’s Month in March, the Nordic Center in Duluth exhibited “Nordic Crowns & Beyond: In Praise of Women,” which featured historic and contemporary variations on a theme to honor all women.

Nordic Center artists and community members of all ages explored and shared the Nordic tradition of crowns at the Nordic Center through zoom workshops and lectures; an exhibition with virtual tours; an online story and coloring book; and 50 art kits sent to children at Myers-Wilkins Elementary School and Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth.

Twenty-six crowns were created for this exhibition by artists in Minnesota in various media: silver, metal, bark, sweet grass, branches, feathers, human hair, fiber, papier mâché, wood and more.

Participating artists included Faith Clover, Karen Kennan, Kirsten Aune, Alison Aune, Nikki Collette, Wendy Savage, Cindy Ericksmoen, Ann Klefstad, Justin Anderson, Arna Rennan, Emilie Bowman, Adeline Wright, Anita Jain, Brad Nelson, The Sami Center of North America, Liz Bucheit and Jon Hinkel.

A virtual tour is posted at nordiccenterduluth.org, where you can also check for future events in the calendar section. D

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