Leveld

The village of Leveld lies at the foot of the mountain area Skarvheimen, where Eastern and Western Norway meet in a dramatic embrace. The landscape here offers everything from wide valleys to sharp peaks and steep hillsides. It’s also where farmer, folk musician, and entrepreneur Ingunn Stræte’s sheep graze. She moved to the village when she fell in love with Leveld native Ola Terje, and together they have five children—and quite a few sheep.

Many of the painters said they were inspired by the unique light in Leveld. From the 1880s onwards, artists traveled from far to get here. Gerhard Munthe, known for his landscape paintings, was one of the first. Later, others followed, including Thor Bøhn, Kaare Wildhagen, Hetty Gleditch, Alf Jørgen Aas, and many more.

Writers also found their way to Leveld. Two of Norway’s literary giants, Jens Bjørneboe and Agnar Mykle, built vacation homes here in the 1950s and 60s. Bjørneboe’s cabin still stands, and it is around this very spot that something special has grown. Leveld Kunstnartun, a residency offering free workspaces and housing for artists from all over the world. Visual artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, composers, theater makers, architects, and many others come to Leveld to stay for one to three months, working in studios and workshops.

«Everyone living around here gets to experience art from all corners of the globe,» says Lars Monrad Vaage, director of Leveld Kunstnartun.

«The idea behind Leveld Kunstnartun is to foster exchange, where artists from around the world can come here, live and work for free, and have the space to create. Each year, we host around 25 artists—half of them are international and half are Norwegian,» Lars explains.

The Norwegian government funds the Kunstnartun, and in 2025, the support will expand to include travel grants and a monthly stipend. This is great news for the artists and a significant boost for the local community as well.

«For example, the school children get exposed to a lot of art. Every year we run a program with the local schools, using the work of Rolf Nesch (1893–1975) as inspiration. The students get lessons in art history and printmaking, and then they create their own prints in our studio. At the end, the school kids hold an exhibition where everyone can come and see their work,» Lars continues.

Ingunn is certain that growing up in Leveld fosters creativity.

«I actually think kids here get an extra dose of creativity just by being raised in this village. When you look at how the school and kindergarten incorporate local culture and music, I just think we’re incredibly culturally fortunate here in Leveld,» she says.

Creative minds in Leveld have plenty of artistic outlets to explore. One of these is Leveld Teaterlag, a local theater group that has been around for over three decades. They’ve performed a variety of plays across different genres, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Spanish Fly, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Leveld also boasts a vibrant folk music scene. Ingunn, a key figure in this community, works on a PhD in Norwegian folk music, and there’s hardly a day without some form of music in her life. She works as a freelancer, teaches at the local cultural school, and serves as a church musician. But instead of playing the organ, Ingunn plays the accordion—a unique choice for a church setting, as she is one of only two people in Norway who do this.

«I grew up with folk music and the diatonic accordion from a young age. My goffa (grandfather) played the accordion, and I picked it up when I was eight years old,» Ingunn says.

«Music has always been incredibly important to me. After finishing high school, I was accepted into the Norwegian Academy of Music, where I found a really inspiring folk music community. Since then, this has been my passion—playing, dancing, and listening.»

Ingunn is a vital part of the cultural life in Hallingdal. She also helps run a concert venue called Fryd Scene, where they host monthly performances featuring some of Norway’s top musicians from niche genres.

And that’s not all. She’s also a dancer! In fact, Ingunn won the Norwegian Folk Dance Championship at Landskappleiken in 2024, proving she’s a true combo of energy and talent. You can watch her award-winning dance here.

Agriculture plays a central role in Leveld, and the village has a truly distinctive look. Leveld is known for its characteristic “mid-slope” farming style, where farms are situated high up on the hillsides, with fields stretching in narrow strips down towards the bottom of the valley. The farms are roughly the same size, creating a sense of symmetry across the landscape. Traditionally, it was easier for farmers to keep their fields below the farmhouses, which is why the farms in Leveld line up like pearls on a string.

One of these farms, located right in the heart of Leveld, is Oleivsgard, home to Ola Terje, Ingunn, their children—and plenty of sheep. And bees. Ingunn and her son also keep eight beehives, producing their own honey.

In addition to “traditional” sheep farming with around 140 winter-fed sheep of the Norwegian White Sheep and Old Norse Sheep breeds, Ingunn has developed a special niche business. She produces yarn from the wool of the Old Norse Sheep, a breed deeply rooted in Norwegian history. The yarn is fully traceable, so customers can learn the story of each individual sheep and its life. She also shares updates on Instagram.

In Leveld, residents work in a wide range of professions, from entrepreneurs and carpenters to teachers, healthcare workers, and other municipal employees. Some commute to work, while others are employed locally. And, as mentioned earlier, there’s a thriving international art community centered around Leveld Kunstnartun. With the surrounding mountains, the village offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities, unspoiled nature, and crystal-clear air. The cultural scene also plays a key role in making Leveld a lively and, most importantly, social place.

«It’s a welcoming place for newcomers,» says Lars.

«We have so many passionate people in Leveld, so new residents are greeted warmly.»

Ingunn wholeheartedly agrees.

«Yes, I think people in Leveld are very social. We meet at the café in the local store, we always run into neighbors at the school and kindergarten, and we’re good at stopping to chat whenever someone passes by. The last thing I did was invite all the women in the village to a girls’ night party in our barn—it was so much fun! Let’s just say I love both music and wine,» Ingunn laughs.

And while the residents of Leveld go about their lives, the sheep grazing way up in the mountain pay little attention. They are simply living their best life, surrounded by fresh air, green grass and perhaps a coincidental meeting with an international artist taking a hike for inspiration.