Radical Broccoli loves The Art Collective Oslo. It is a drawing and painting school at Grünerløkka in Oslo that offer walk-ins, booked events, workshops and talks. During the pandemic they deliver art packages straight to your door, and follow up with online sessions on how to create the different pieces - and we got to try it out a few weeks ago. If you saw us drawing with charcoal on our Instagram stories, that was a kit from the Art Collective. How amazing!?
We thought we would check in with the founders, Julie & Nora.
How are you doing, Julie & Nora?
We are good and healthy. Staying positive and trying to keep ourselves busy with creative activities and new business ideas.
Have you always been into art & creative practices?
We have always loved to doodle and draw. Nora’s favorite subject in Elementary School was Science as she could illustrate her notebooks and Julie went to The Montessori School where creativity was a building block in her education. However, we both chose academic studies and went into typical business lines of work. It was not until mid-twenties that we both understood how important art and a creative practice was for our well being. Today Nora is studying at Oslo National Academy of The Arts (KHiO) and we are both running The Art Collective full-time.
When and why did you start the Art Collective?
After many years a broad, Julie returned to Oslo and searched for a place to be creative in combination with a busy career. With Nora already in the art world, we started talking and both saw the potential for a creative space to relax, develop and be creative. Over the course of a few months we found the perfect location and started planning an art collective, events and workshops that we had been looking for ourselves. The A.C. was founded in February 2019 and opened its doors late August. Julie quit as a consultant the same week we had our first event. Together, Nora and Julie combine business with a passion for the arts, and wish to make art and the creative practice accessible to everyone.
What is the best part about your job?
Definitely being creative every day! For Julie it is also about making a business grow and seeing results of all the hard work we put in. For Nora it is more about creating a meeting place where inspirational workshops and conversations can take place - in the vibe of a large italian family. We are at our best when we combine our different skills and perspectives pitching ideas and developing business strategies.
How can we, as customers, use and enjoy the Art Collective?
The Art Collective is built on the feel of a open house where everyone is welcome to drop by, try out, learn, and experience art. We host workshops, events and talks for individuals, groups and businesses at our space at Grünerløkka and private locations. When the pandemic hit we also started delivering home-kits with art supplies and host online workshops so that you can be creative from home.
Who are your favorite artist and what are your favorite creative practices?
Funnily enough, art is the field where our opinions is most apart. Nora is very inspired by abstract expressionist painters and if she has to pick only three artists for life she would choose Bram Bogart, Antoni Tapies and Howard Hodgkin. She works with painting, photography, print and drawing besides studying ceramic at KHiO. Julie loves charcoal drawing and anything figurative. At the moment she is into Mark Demsteader’s charcoal drawings, Ines Longevial’s portraits and Georgia O'keeffe colorful paintings.
What is your favorite meal?
Working long hours at The A.C. we eat most of our meals here and try to make healthy and simple dishes. At the moment we are really into wraps, soups and green smoothies. One of the first things we bought was a (way too expensive) blender that we try to make the most out of (not to feel too guilty about the splurge).
What is your favorite part of the day?
We love late afternoons in Oslo. The best part of the day is walking home from work looking through illuminated windows and make up stories of the lives that goes on behind the walls.
What are your dreams for the AC?
Our dream is for The Art Collective to grow into a large creative community connecting people from all over. We aim to make the art world more accessible through inspiring workshops, meaningful events and interesting talks. Most importantly, we wish to build an inclusive environment where both first-time painters and full bloom artists can experience the great effects of art on our well-being.