Mjellby konstmuseum

About the museum

Mjellby konstmuseum was founded in 1980 as a private museum under the name Mjällby konstgård (Mjällby art farm). It was housed in the old Mjällby school and was started by Viveka Bosson (1930–2024), daughter of the artist Erik Olson, who built up the operation. In 1997 she gave the art farm to Halmstad Municipality, which has since run, developed and extended the museum.

The museum is the museum of the Halmstad Group (Halmstadgruppen). The group consisted of six artists – Sven Jonson, Waldemar Lorentzon, Stellan Mörner, Axel Olson, Erik Olson and Esaias Thorén – who studied in Paris and Berlin in the 1920s and 1930s and became Sweden’s first surrealists. The collection shows the group’s history, from its youth in Europe to its breakthrough, and also its public art in Halmstad.

According to the municipality, Mjellby konstmuseum is the only museum in Sweden devoted to surrealism, and the exhibitions illustrate both Swedish and international surrealism. Since 2023 the museum has also held a large deposit of works by Thea Ekström.

Highlights

• The Halmstad Group’s collection of Swedish surrealism
• Sweden’s only surrealist museum
• Deposit of works by Thea Ekström since 2023
• Museum shop and minimarket with fika
• Creative workshop and playful tasks for children

Permanent exhibition

• Halmstadgruppen – The museum’s collection of works by the six artists of the Halmstad Group, Sweden’s first surrealists, and the history of the group.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Halmstads kommun (kulturförvaltningen)

Director

Annelie Tuveros

Admission & discounts

With a Följa med card, a friend comes free. Payment by card or Swish.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Two disabled parking spaces, two accessible toilets, ramps, automatic door openers and no high thresholds. The reception desk is easy to reach and the premises are colour-contrasted. Hearing aids are available for tours. Service dogs are welcome throughout the museum; other dogs are welcome in the inner courtyard and outdoors, where water bowls are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Creative workshop and playful tasks linked to the exhibitions. Children’s chairs, changing tables and a lending pushchair are available. Children and young people under 20 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

By car it takes about 8 minutes from the city centre and 4 minutes from Halmstad airport. From the E6, take the Halmstad north exit towards Tylösand and Steninge, then follow the signs to Konstmuseum. When alighting at the Mjellby konstmuseum stop, a larger unguarded road has to be crossed. There is no cycle path along parts of the route via Nya Tylösandsvägen.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

No restaurant, but a minimarket with simple fika pastries, fruit drinks, mineral water, coffee and tea. Own picnic is allowed in the garden or indoors, and a microwave oven can be borrowed. The museum shop sells art books, posters and gift items.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit