Classes in Decorah
Rosemaling
Click here to download a 2010 class registration form
Rosemaling a Wall Cupboard in the Rogaland Style
Ruth Green
The project for this class will be a wall cupboard that is 16 inches wide by 25 inches high with the design area on the door measuring 14 by 17 inches. Students can choose their own background color and a pattern will be created for the cupboard rosemaling. The class will be taught in oils, but students can paint with acrylics if they wish. There may be an additional materials fee.
Level of instruction: Intermediate to advanced, some painting experience is expected.
June 4-6 | $190 members / $240 non-members
Ruth Green is an established Rogaland painter and has numerous publications that are available in the Vesterheim Folk Art Supply Shop. She is a Certified Decorative Artist with the Society of Decorative Painters and is known for her workshops at their conferences.
Valdres Scrolls and Scenes
Sara Tollefson
The Valdres style uses a number of different scroll formations. These will be practiced and incorporated into two or more projects. Students will study monochromatic scenes (chinoiserie) and how to use them in Valdres painting. Some patterns will be available. However, students may also feel free to design their own projects, especially for the scenes. Students can use either oil or acrylic paints. There will be a small additional fee for instructional materials.
Level of instruction: All levels.
June 7-10 | $254 members / $304 non-members
Sara Tollefsen has studied rosemaling for over 25 years with many Norwegian and American painters and was awarded the Vesterheim Gold Medal in 2009. She has also studied in Norway in conjunction with Vesterheim-sponsored folk-art tours. Sara has taught rosemaling in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin for over 15 years and she was the editor of Vesterheim’s Rosemaling Letter for 17 years.
Hallingdal Rosemaling
Pam Rucinski
This class will be taught in oils. Students will work at their own pace and the instructor will emphasize each student’s needs and skills. Basic strokes and different color palettes will be covered. Students can use acrylics if they are proficient with the colors and mediums. There will be a class project with more designs available and each student can choose their own projects once the class design is completed.
Level of instruction: All levels.
July 17-21 | $318 members / $368 non-members
Pam Rucinski received her Gold Medal in 1995. She has mastered and taught almost all the rosemaling styles, although she is most closely identified with Hallingdal. She has been teaching for over 25 years in the Midwest and on the Pacific coast. In addition, she has taught in Japan twice and is returning there soon. Pam is multi-talented in the folk arts and she has mastered and teaches Swedish Dala painting, receiving the Crystal Award from Gammelgården, and Russian Zhostovo. Pam has co-authored two rosemaling books.
Beginning Telemark Rosemaling
Joanne MacVey
This class is for beginning students who have little or no rosemaling experience. The instructor will teach the basics of paint-mixing, wood and background preparations, brush care, stroke work, design elements (scrolls, flowers, linework), and the finishes. This class includes instruction on faux finishing (krilling) on the rim. Students will paint a simple 9-by-6¼-inch oval tray or cheese box. The class will be taught in oils using walnut alkyd medium and odorless turpentine, but those wishing to paint in acrylics are welcome and the teacher can assist.
Level of instruction: All levels.
July 17-19 | $190 members / $240 non-members
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Telemark Rosemaling
Joanne MacVey
Students who take the three-day beginning Telemark rosemaling class may wish to extend their rosemaling study to include this two-day class geared toward the advanced beginner/intermediate student. The basics of rosemaling will be stressed, and the design will include additional elements to add to their learning experience. The class is also open to those who have previously had some rosemaling instruction, but are not in the three-day beginner class. The class will be taught in oils, using walnut alkyd medium and odorless turpentine, but those wishing to paint in acrylics are welcome and the teacher can assist. Students will paint a 24-by-3-½-inch mangletre, a board that was traditionally used for ironing.
Level of Instruction: Advanced beginner to intermediate.
July 20-21 | $128 members / $177 non-members
Joanne MacVey is an internationally-recognized teacher and publisher who wrote the book Rosemaling Heirlooms of Tomorrow. She earned her Gold Medal in 2001 and has studied with numerous Norwegian and American rosemalers in both the United States and Norway. Her work has also earned awards from the Society of Decorative Painters and Sons of Norway, and, in 2004, she was honored to be recognized at a White House Reception for artists who have painted ornaments for the White House Christmas tree.
Os and Rogaland Style Rosemaling
Trudy Peach
This will be a project class focusing on Os and Rogaland styles. Project designs are influenced by old pieces and, if students have photos of old Os and/or Rogaland pieces, please bring them to class. Students are welcome to paint on woodenware and/or backgrounded tagboard in class. Students can also paint on different objects. Trudy will have a few patterns in addition to the class project. This class will be taught in oils, but acrylics are welcome. No linseed oil or thinners will be used in the classroom. Walnut oil alkyd will be the medium used in class and students may bring a clean jar of odorless thinner for use in error removal (used outside the building only). There may be an additional materials fee.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate to advanced.
August 9-13 | $318 members / $368 non-members
Trudy Peach is a Vesterheim Gold Medal winner and is a Certified Decorative Artist with the Society of Decorative Painters. She studies old pieces of rosemaling to influence her designs in Rogaland and Os. Trudy shares these ideas with students to help them develop an awareness of how to interpret designs. She has taught rosemaling throughout the United States.
Shaded Telemark Rosemaling in Acrylics Only
Marlys Hammer
Telemark rosemaling is asymmetrical with large scrolls and fantasy flowers based on “C” and “S” strokes. There is a light, lyrical look to a Telemark design. This will be a project class in acrylics, concentrating on basic strokes, design, mixing paint, some lettering and shading. Students may work on painted poster board if they wish. The first project will be a 12-inch shallow bowl; the second is to be determined. Woodenware, paints, and mediums will be available at the Vesterheim Folk Art Supply Store. There may be an additional materials fee.
Level of instruction: All levels.
September 10-12 | $190 members / $240 non-members
Marlys Hammer is a Vesterheim Gold Medal winner and has studied with many rosemaling masters from Norway and America. She teaches at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wisconsin, and has taught at various locations throughout the United States and Japan.
Gudbrandsdal Rosemaling
Judy Ritger
The project for this class will be a 12-inch round surface. The Vesterheim Folk Art Supply Shop has many plates in different styles and other woodenware that would meet this criteria. The design will feature the typical “folded-over” leaf characteristic of the Gudbrandsdal style, which becomes the scroll and basis for the design. There will be flowers in the design to fit the style. Emphasis on the graceful flow and depth of the leaf scrolls is the most important aspect of the Gudbrandsdal style. The instructor will demonstrate in oils, using only walnut oil as the medium, and she can also help those who prefer to work with acrylics. Students will need an 11-by-14-inch piece of painted tagboard for the initial practice piece. No mineral spirits or turpentine will be allowed in the classroom. There may be an additional materials fee.
Level of instruction: Intermediate to advanced.
September 10-12 | $190 members / $240 non-members
Judy Ritger is the first artist to be a Vesterheim Gold Medalist in two media—rosemaling and woodcarving. In painting, she is well-known for her interpretation of the flame-like character of the Gudbrandsdal acanthus.
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