Gallery of the Month, Norway
A haven in the depths of the forest In a fairytale-like landscape, nestled in between greenery and waterfalls, lies Labro Gallery. Set in a converted 19th-century stable, it is a place to discover old treasures while encountering paintings from today. By Lisa Maria Berg
In the depths of the forest, in this lush landscape where one can almost hear Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King seeping out between rocks and trees, you’ll find Gallery Labro. About seven kilometres outside of the historic Kongsberg, once home to the famous silver mines in Norway, is a little pocket of art, carefully curated inside 120 | Issue 134 | March 2020
a 19th-century stable. It is a place like no other.
The community Kari M. Blanchard has, as head of the board of the art organisation Labro Art, an above-average interest in art and local history. She takes us through the details: “Labro Gallery is part of the multi-
faceted Labro Museums, which consist of many branches. There is the gallery, open from May through to September, exhibiting three artists consecutively throughout summer. Alongside the gallery, the museum also tells the story of a hydro power era, stretching from the beginning of the 20th century and all the way to today. The sawmills and history of forestry and road-building in the area are also at the heart of the museum.”
The art The gallery itself is located in a very special place: a converted stable, timber