Chairman of the board

Stian Birkeland (born 1984), comes from and lives in Sokndal. He works daily as COO in btwn - a DeepOcean Company with digitalization and development. Stian has previous experience of board work in various positions in working life, politics and voluntary/idealistic organizations.

He says: I have a large bouquet of interests and hobbies, but I can easily highlight music, nature and what surrounds us (!) to name a few. I have great motivation for work that revolves around creating and achieving something that adds value and has meaning, especially in and around Sokndal.

Director. Board Member. Curator. Founder of Velferden .

Maiken Stene (born 1983) lives in Steine and works in Sokndal, where she also grew up.

Maiken works as a visual artist and has her studio in the Office Building at Sandbekk, where she produces art for exhibitions and public artworks. Maiken is educated at Malmö Art Academy and The Cooper Union School of Art in New York.

Maiken's art is based on her personal relationship with landscape, and how historical representations of landscape continue to influence our relationship with nature today. Stene is best known for her painting practice, which she shows in the form of scenographic installations mixed with video, sculpture, text and a professional programme.

www.maikenstene.com

Deputy Chairman of the Board. Curator. Founder of Velferden .

Hans Edward Hammonds (b. 1983) is a visual artist who lives and works in Stavanger, but often visits Sokndal and Velferden. He also partly grew up in Flekkefjord and has a childhood connection to the landscape and surroundings there and the Dalane region in general. Hans Edward has a Master's degree in Fine Art from The University of Auckland in New Zealand.

Through his artistry, Hans Edward explores different forms of interaction. He creates interactive sculptures in textile, works with performance and with social and participatory forms of expression. He is acquired by the National Museum and has an active art practice alongside his work with Velferden.

www.hansedwardhammonds.no

Board member

Ingeborg Kvame (b. 1978) is a visual artist living in Stavanger. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, and has exhibited at Vestfold Art Center, Norske Grafikere, Tegnerforbundet, Rogaland Art Center, Stavanger Art Museum and Kunsthall Stavanger.

My practice is inspired by transitional phases in nature, through traditional craft techniques I search for experiences of light, space, materiality and optical illusions.

www.ingeborgkvame.net

Board member

Elin Wood (born 1975) lives in Sokndal. She works as the general manager of Egersund parish and as secretary to the Provost of Dalane. She has a background as a graphic designer, with a master's degree in administration and management.

Elin sees Velferden and the work done here as an essential key factor for the development of the region in a positive direction.

Coordinator

Hanna Biørnstad (b 1993) moved to Sokndal in October 2023. She is from Oslo, but has relatives from Sokndal. She is now employed as Velferden's coordinator.

Hanna is a trained cinematographer from the Danish Film School in Copenhagen and has experience with various types of film projects, TV series, fiction, documentary, art film and music video. She is also a musician and artist and is committed to contributing to the cultural environment in Sokndal with what she has to offer.

Chef and friend of Velferden .

Ingvild Stene (b.1976) comes from Sokndal and lives in Flekkefjord. She works as a teacher and educator, and enjoys music and cooking in her spare time.

Carpenter and friend of Velferden .

Ben Hipkiss (b.1979) comes from Hong Kong / England, and lives in Stavanger where he works as a carpenter. He also works at Hipkiss & Stene a/s which produces frames and various custom-built installations for art in public spaces.

Ben equips Velferden's carpentry workshop and is our specialist in building upgrades.