Princesstårta: A Swedish Princess Cake

The opening event for Carolyn S. Olson’s Swedish princess cake exhibit is an in-person event with an online option via the Nordic Center website. The exhibit will remain on display until Oct. 17.

Olson, an artist living and working in northern Minnesota, has created more than 60 illustrations detailing the various steps in creating a Princesstårta, the Swedish princess cake. The entire collection will be on display, as will a traditional princess cake made by the artist. Due to current health concerns, the cake will be for viewing only. An illustrated recipe book of How to Make a Swedish Princess Cake, which includes all of Olson’s paintings, will be available for purchase at the Nordic Center.

As a painter, Olson uses gouache, oil and pastel. She intentionally exaggerates figures and plays with composition and color — a technique drawn from the work of artist Jacob Lawrence. Like Lawrence, Olson has found a common theme in painting every-day scenes as part of her continued narrative work.

The exhibit can be viewed on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Those attending the event in person are asked to wear masks and maintain social-distancing whenever possible.

The Nordic Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing Nordic Culture with the greater community through social, educational and arts programs.