The Republic of Iceland was formed on June 17, 1944, aligning with the birth date of Jón Sigurðsson, a key leader early in the fight for independence.
In keeping with Iceland’s peaceful nature and the preservation of its culture despite foreign rule, here are some key historical points on Iceland’s independence:
870s – 1222: Initial Viking settlement and clan wars. 1222 – 1264: Age of the Sturlungs, ending with unification under Norwegian rule. Late 1300s: Union with Denmark, leading to harsh conditions for Icelanders. 1550: Execution of Reverend Jón Arason for resisting Danish religious changes. 1811: Birth of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the national awakening. 1904: Home rule granted, but Denmark retained control over key affairs. 1918: Iceland became a sovereign kingdom under Denmark. WWII: British and later US troops occupied Iceland to prevent German invasion. 1944: Full independence achieved on June 17, with the US being the first to recognize it.
Throughout this period, Iceland maintained its cultural identity and built key institutions like the University of Iceland, consecrated in 1940.
Iceland’s Independence Day commemorates all these milestones while looking towards the future of this resilient nation.
Stephan and Helga Stephansson’s family about 1905: Gestur, Jakob, and Guðmundur standing left to right; Baldur, Fanny, and Jenny seated, with Rósa in front.
The BUTTERMAKER’S HOUSE ARTIST RESIDENCY presents an Open Studio with Veronica Graves.
Several people dropped in to Fensala Hall for the Open Studio on June 12, 2025. This was the second session held for the public during her stay at the Buttermaker’s House. June 10th was a demonstration on wet felting, and today was needle felting with a hands-on approach that allowed some spectators to try their hand at the art. It was an informative, enjoyable time for all, and a fun glimpse at the artistic potential of the craft. Participants were very happy with the guidance from Veronica, and were able to produce cute and wonderful pieces of art to take home!
Veronica Graves is a local Felt artist staying at the Buttermaker’s House Artist Residency. She is sharing her love of fiber art with the community through two open studio sessions.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 was the first session at the Creamery Courtyard stage. Visitors and local residents enjoyed viewing and handling some finished artwork to experience the textures of the silk and various wools that had been used in their creation. Then Veronica pulled out some materials and grabbed her spray jug of soapy water in preparation for a demonstration of creating a wearable piece of art!
She shared some insights and techniques of the felting process of making a silk shawl with Merino and other felting wools. She explained that Felting is a traditional and natural way to get a good workout, too! No gym membership required.
Thursday, June 12th will be the second open studio, and Veronica plans to demonstrate Needle Felting to create art pieces. Please drop by Historic Markerville at 1:00 pm to see the artist at work and maybe even try your hand at felting. Join us … have some fun!
Here are some photos from the June 10 open studio:
From the Artist Bio: Veronica Graves is a local Felt artist who was born and raised in a rural community of Central Alberta. She grew up wild and free playing and exploring deep in the woods, which fueled her passion for nature and art.
After traveling to Iceland for her honeymoon in 2015, she fell in love with the culture, people and the sheep with their beautiful wool. She was inspired to explore fiber art to reflect and represent Iceland. Since then, felting has been a journey of discovery, healing from trauma, and teaching others.
Veronica has no formal training with fiber arts although her background in other mediums was part of her normal upbringing with her family. Pottery, painting, and gardening to name a few. She loves trying new techniques and most of her work is inspired by nature. Wearable art, and wall decor is her favorite type to create with fiber.
Some publications Veronica was honored to be part of, were in Prairie Living Magazine, Celebrate!- a magazine collaboration from felt:: feutre Canada, and Red Deer Scene. Her art has also been featured in Galleries throughout Central Alberta.
The INLNA (Icelandic National League of North America) Artist Residency Award is available to qualified applicants beginning each fall, with deadline for submission on November 30th. https://www.historicmarkerville.com/residency-award.html
Built in 1895, Helgi Jonasson decided to build a cheese factory west of Tindastoll. He felt that if farmers in the area sold him their cow’s milk, he could then make cheese to sell back to the community. However, Jonasson found it very expensive to buy all the necessary equipment to operate the factory. The Icelanders had difficulty travelling all the way to the factory to sell him milk. As well, many were too poor to buy the cheese. In 1897, Helgi went into partnership with Einar Johnson & expanded the enterprise to include buttermaking. They experienced business difficulties when another entrepreneur, Jon Benediktson decided to set up a small store & cheese factory just 2 miles north. In 1899, the Dominion government approached 34 Icelandic farmers to form a joint stock company call the Tindastoll Butter & Cheese Manufacturing Association. Benediktson & Jonsson were convinced to sell their factories to the Association so it could develop one creamery for the community. And…so it began. The Markerville Creamery opened in 1902 in the location where it stands today. A much larger Creamery for the community.
Above images and article originally posted on Historic Markerville’s Facebook page in June 2021.
You can find out more about the Creamery, the history of the dairy industry in Alberta, and how Markerville got its name. CHURNING BUTTER by Rolf Buschardt Christensen is a newly released book available now at the Kaffistofa. The story is framed around the life and times of Christian Peter Marker, Alberta’s first Dairy Commissioner.
The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society (SGSIS) is thrilled to announce and congratulate the recipients of the Icelandic Nation League of North America (INLNA) Artist Residency Award for 2025.
The Icelandic National League of North America has generously donated $3000 annually to assist eligible artists coming for a Residency in the Buttermaker’s House in Markerville.
Congratulations to all our recipients of the INLNA Artist Residency Award for 2024/2025!
Keep checking our sites (Facebook page and historicmarkerville.com) for news of our artists visits. Artists are encouraged to involve the community in some way during their project.
This year there are two winners meeting the criteria for the award.
VERONICA GRAVES from Red Deer, Alberta is coming from June 8 -15. This artist specializes in wool. With felt as her medium, she creates wearable art and wall hangings.
GUDRITA LAPE (Gintare′ Maciulskyte) of Iceland will be an Artist in Residence in 2026. As a chef and artist, Gudrita meshes her two specialties – cooking and art. Her project titled “Creamy Connections: A Vegan Celebration of Icelandic Traditions” will explore the culinary and cultural connections between Iceland and Canada.
The winners for 2024:
KAREN SCARLETT from Innisfail, Alberta is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates fine art and craft in various mediums, including large murals. Karen gave an art talk to the community and has since finished two paintings of the area from her stay.
CLAIRE BUTLER is a professional musician from Calgary, specializing in piano and violin. Claire embraced Markerville head on with a Free Music Workshop for kids in the Fensala Hall. As part of a jazz ensemble, the Clicquot Trio, she played for one of our Supper and Song Nights in the Creamery Courtyard.
You are all inspiring and talented individuals that deserve recognition and a place to rest, reflect, create and connect in our delightful retreat.
