Free First Thursday
Join us for the opening reception of Vesterheim's major summer show, The National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition—2-4 p.m.
Calendar of Events
For information about Vesterheim's education programs and a folk-art class list go to Vesterheim Lifelong Learning.
The first Thursday of every month Vesterheim offers free admission to the museum and a special event.
June 7, 2012
Book Signing with Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison
Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison, Norwegian and Swedish respectively, established their design company ARNE & CARLOS in 2002. Drawing on their traditional Scandinavian influences and their natural environment, they create original and visually striking knitwear, and work with such prestigious international fashion designers as Comme des Garçons. They will be in Vesterheim's Museum Store throughout the afternoon to demonstrate knitting and sign their books Knitted Dolls: Handmade Toys with a Designer Wardrobe and 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments!
July 5, 2012
Free First Thursday
2 p.m.—presentation by Kate Martinson and Harley Refsal, "Folk Art and Handcraft: A Non-language-dependent Journey into Emigration, Immigration, and Rediscovery of Ethnic Heritage."
July , 2012
Folk Art Banquet
Celebrate Norwegian folk art with great folk artists. Everyone is welcome! Please join us in Luther College’s Peace Dining Room. There will be a social hour with a cash bar at 6:00 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:45 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations for the banquet are due by Friday, July 20. Contact info@vesterheim.org or 563-382-9681 to reserve your spot.
July , 2012
Vesterheim events at Decorah's 46th Annual Nordic Fest
Vesterheim hosts great activities during Decorah’s premier ethnic festivals, featuring Scandinavia’s finest food, music, arts, crafts, and more. Check the festival’s website www.nordicfest.com.
August 2, 2012
Free First Thursday
Iowa's Martyr Regiment: The Story of the Thirty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry
A presentation and book signing by author David Wildman.
September 6, 2012
Free First Thursday
Special event to be announced soon.
Scandinavian Day Festival
Vesterheim volunteers will be share Vesterheim information at this festival at Vasa Park in South Elgin, Illinois. http://www.scandinaviandayil.com/
Concert—JPP and Arto Järvelä
A concert by the fantastic Finnish group JPP led by fiddler Arto Järvelä. “Järvelä has played at Vesterheim before and loved the sound quality of the museum’s Bethania Church so much that he requested to perform here again,” said organizer Martha Griesheimer. More info to be announced.
October 4, 2012
Free First Thursday
Opening reception for Barndom/Childhood exhibition
October 10, 2012
With Restauration Through Hell Gate to the Promised Land
7:00 p.m. in Vesterheim's Bethania Lutheran Church. A storytelling performance by Norwegian Anne Elisebeth Skogen about the first Norwegian group of emigrants who arrived in New York on Oct. 9, 1825, on the "Norwegian Mayflower," the boat Restauration. Follow Norwegian emigrants as they decide to leave their home country, cross the Atlantic, pass through Hell Gate, arrive in New York, and travel to Kendall on Lake Ontario. Free will offering.
October 19 , 2012
Benefit Auction
A lively gala dinner and auction featuring folk art donated by award winning artists. Auction items can be viewed online beginning October 1 and at the Hotel Winneshiek on the 19th.
October 27 , 2012
Milwaukee Friends Event
Milwaukee Friends host a luncheon at 12:00 p.m. at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. Contact Stephanie Johnson at 563-382-9681 or snj@vesterheim.org for more information.
November 1, 2012
Free First Thursday
Special event to be announced soon.
Knit In
Join friends of Ann Swanson for a Knit-In at Vesterheim. The Knitting Education Fund was established in 2010 in memory of Ann, a talented knitwear and needlepoint designer from Rochester, Minnesota. The Knit-in will include time to knit, chat, and share memories of Ann. Beth Brown-Reinsel will speak on Scandinavian knitting traditions on Saturday. Behind-the-scenes tours of textile storage will be offered throughout the weekend. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Laurann Gilbertson at Vesterheim (563-382-9681, lgilbertson@vesterheim.org).
November 9 and 10 , 2012
Deck the Tables
Celebrate the seasons with fantastic decorations, music, and food at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. There will be an Open House for the whole community on Friday and Saturday at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. The event is hosted by the Deck the Tables Committee. Proceeds benefit “The World of Jan Brett,” the 2013 special exhibition at Vesterheim.
December , 2012
Norwegian Christmas Weekend
This festive celebration features holiday traditions with a variety of music, demonstrations, folk art, stories, food, and hands-on experiences.
December 6, 2012
Free First Thursday
Special event to be announced soon.