Art from the Land of Fire and Ice

From the Fernandez Collection

Guest Curator: Segundo J. Fernandez, Ph.D

Oct. 6 – Dec. 16, 2023

Sara May Love Gallery

Though it is the most sparsely populated country in Europe, Iceland is home to a rich cultural history and a unique, stunning landscape. The island is predominantly a treeless mountainous and barren place – with extensive ice fields and over 30 active volcanoes spotted throughout that give the country its nickname, the “Land of Fire and Ice.” For centuries, artists have been inspired by Iceland’s otherworldly black sand beaches, lava fields, and glaciers, attempting to capture this awesome environment situated across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The island belongs to two worlds: a place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. Iceland’s beginnings as a Viking settlement, with the world’s oldest functioning parliament, have given it a national history as complex and distinct as its native terrain. On loan this fall from the Fernandez Collection is a thoughtfully curated exhibition depicting Iceland’s majestic landscapes, bucolic countryside, and fishing customs, grounded in its Scandinavian heritage. This exhibition promises to transport the viewer across the Atlantic, to an awe-inspiring environment and a fascinating way of life.

Be sure to check out our Golden Legacy-themed Field Trips for all ages, ArtZone activities, and Art @ Home Kits during the exhibition, offering art-filled fun for all ages! Contact Museum Educator, Sarah Black Sadler at (850) 627 5023 to schedule a tour.