Studio Spornes: where wine, waves and soundscapes meet

In Arendal, there is a family run business and community driven space where food, music, and nature come together. With two distinct locations and an intimate summer festival to its name, Studio Spornes is redefining what a local cultural hub can be.

In the southernmost region of Norway lies a piece of coastal heaven. Arendal, known for its white-painted wooden houses, glittering archipelago, and seaside bliss, is not only the perfect summer getaway, but also home to a family business turned cultural and culinary gem. Founded by Norwegian Jim Stärk drummer Tom Rudi Torjussen, and his wife and sommelier, Mari Dale, Studio Spornes combines nature, intimate cultural experiences and good food and wine.

“We’ve two complementary, yet vastly different locations. Studio Spornes Tromøya is a small café by the sea, while Studio Spornes Tyholmen is a wine bar, bistro, and stage in the heart of Arendal town centre,” says Torjussen.

A homegrown culinary and cultural hub

It all started with a house. Not just any house, but a large yellow one on Tromøya, facing directly towards the beautiful Skagerrak. Only a stone’s throw away from Raet National Park, this was the place the couple had dreamed of – rocky outcrops, pebble beaches, crooked pine trees, and that fresh sea air.

“We bought it impulsively when we moved back home from Oslo to Arendal,” says Torjussen. “It’s a large house in the most beautiful surroundings, but it was far too big for just the three of us. We had to fill it with something. Over the years, it has served different purposes, but we knew that we wanted to create a shared space rooted in culture and community.”

Spornesfestivalen.

Soon enough, Studio Spornes Café opened, quickly becoming a local favourite and a popular stop for local hikers and tourists alike. The café would not only serve delicious pastries, but also evolve to become a space for music and intimate concerts.

“It’s all unfolded naturally from there. We did it on impulse and followed our gut feeling, making changes and adjustments along the way, all in the spirit of creating a space where artists, guests, and café visitors could feel welcome. Many stop by just to taste Mari’s bakery-style cinnamon buns, which have become something of a local legend.”

Still, the couple felt like Arendal was missing a bit of that lively, musical buzz. When the pandemic hit, Mari decided to train as a sommelier. The result was Studio Spornes Tyholmen, a bistro and wine bar in the heart of downtown Arendal, now home to up to 120 events a year.

“We’re Arendal’s largest private culture business, and we have everything from wine masterclasses to poetry readings and concerts with musicians from all over Norway. There’s always something happening!” says Torjussen.

In addition to the events, Studio Spornes’ curated wine list sets it apart. The selection is built around small producers and rare finds you will not find elsewhere.

The menu is small and deliberate, featuring dishes inspired by the couple’s travels to Spain and Portugal. Think slow-cooked meats, lemony cod with olive oil, and the crowd favourite boeuf bourguignon – all designed to pair seamlessly with the wines.

Studio Spornes Tyholmen is a wine bar, bistro, and stage in the heart of Arendal town centre.

“The wine always comes first, then we build the food around it,” says Torjussen. “We also don’t work with industrial wines or food products. We choose small and family-run producers – people like us, really. It’s about doing things with love and care.”

Sea breeze and sound waves at Spornesfestivalen

Every July, just as the southern Norwegian summer hits its stride, the yellow house on the rugged coast of Tromøya is transformed into a most intimate musical experience: Spornesfestivalen. Unlike larger festivals, Spornesfestivalen is a slow-paced, carefully curated musical weekend with the raw beauty of Skagerrak as its backdrop.

Over the course of three days, festivalgoers can expect a lineup that includes NPTJ rising stars and beloved names from the Norwegian music scene. Previous years have welcomed performers like Sivert Høyem, Jarle Bernhoft, Moddi, and Darling West. This year features a strong female presence, with performances from talents like Sol Heilo, Josefine Winter, Nora Legrand, and Marthe Wang, as well as a special reunion with Tom’s former band, Jim Stärk.

With limited capacity, a focus on atmosphere and a setting that feels like stepping into a Norwegian postcard, Torjussen describes the festival as an event for people who might have a special interest in music. “It can be difficult to get to the site, but once you make it out here, the experience is different from any other big music event. It’s almost like a secret, cosy festival,” he says.

But it is not just about the music. At Spornesfestivalen, you will eat well, drink well, and feel well. The very same local produce and slow cooking that defines the couple’s bistro and wine bar in Arendal is available for festivalgoers to enjoy. Dishes are cooked on site using regional ingredients and paired with rare, handpicked wines, all served in proper glassware, no plastic in sight.

“We wanted to create something we felt was missing,” Torjussen adds. “A festival that felt like a big garden party where you meet and mingle with the artists.”

In a world of overproduced events and trends, Studio Spornes, its locations and festival offer something refreshingly human. It is built on gut instinct, handcrafted details, and a shared belief that even small things can leave a big impact.

Studio Spornes is founded by Norwegian Jim Stärk drummer Tom Rudi Torjussen, and his wife and sommelier, Mari Dale.

www.studiospornes.no
www.spornesfestivalen.no
Facebook: Studio Spornes
Instagram: @s.p.o.r.n.e.s