Classes in Decorah
Woodworking
Register early with your $50 deposit. A minimum number of registered students is required for a class to be held.
The classes held in April are in conjunction with Coming Out of the Woodwork: a Vesterheim Symposium on Norwegian Folk Art
Making and Decorating “Shrink,”or Greenwood, Boxes
Eivind and Tonje Falk - Norwegian instructors
Students will learn to make functional boxes out of greenwood (fresh-cut
wood) and learn ways to decorate the finished forms. This class will require
an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 14-17 |
$315 members /
$395 non-members
Eivind Falk received his folk art training from Telemark College in Folk Art Studies (wood), and from the University in Oslo in Folklore Studies. He has been doing folk art for the last 15 years, and he has been teaching multi-generational classes in green woodworking since 2001 at schools and for organizations/groups. Eivind has also done woodworking for the national television in Norway on a regular basis. Eivind was born in Oslo and now lives in Lillehammer, Norway, with his wife Tonje.
Tonje Falk was also born in Oslo. She currently teaches courses that combine folk art and cultural studies to all age levels. As president of Lillehammer husflidslag, Tonje is active teaching courses and exhibiting green woodworking and textiles. This past summer, Tonje and Eivind taught a course at Maihaugen Museum. The course was in combination with husflidslag and was called “Young craft.” Students learned green woodworking, spinning, and felting.
Intro to Stave and Bentwood Containers
Richard Enstad
Students will learn the construction techniques for shaping and assembling
stave containers and bentwood boxes, primarily with hand tools. This class
will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels, some previous experience in stave construction
is helpful.
April 14-17 | $220 members / $260 non-members
Richard Enstad is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist who became a “born-again Norwegian” in 1983. Richard and his wife Nancy travel to Norway on a regular basis. Richard has been on two Vesterheim-sponsored folk-art tours, once to Levanger and once to Lillehammer. A frequent demonstrator of Norwegian-inspired woodworking crafts, he returns annually to Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa, and Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota. In 2003, Richard and Nancy were honored as Minnesota Science Museum Volunteers of the Year for their involvement with the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling Viking exhibition. Richard is the co-author, with Harley Refsal, of the lead article in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.
Ale Bowl Turning
Roger Abrahamson
Turned wooden ale bowls are an excellent example of functional Norwegian
folk art. These common ceremonial drinking vessels are used both for serving
on special occasions and in the brewing process. Many were brought to
America by immigrants because they were portable and were a “little
piece of the
old country.” Most old ale bowls were turned on reciprocating motion spring
pole lathes. In this class, students will begin by splitting a fresh,
green birch log. Using axes, hand-forged hook tools, knives, and a foot-powered
spring pole lathe, each student will create a turned ale bowl to take
home
and use. Design, layout, axe work, proper cutting techniques, finishing,
and tool sharpening will be covered. During the class there will also
be lively discussions on the design, function, and culture surrounding
these
objects, as well as the history of woodturning. This class will require
an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels. Students taking this class should be
prepared for a physically strenuous experience.
April 15-17 | $165 members / $195 non-members
Roger Abrahamson is a traditional bowl turner. Using spring pole lathes, hand forged tools, and freshly harvested native woods, he specializes in the creation of Norwegian ale vessels. His fascination for these objects has its roots in his immigrant grandmother’s ale bowl, which is still in the family. Roger has demonstrated his trade at Vesterheim’s Nordic Fest, Norsk Høstfest, the Minnesota State Fair, the Smithsonian Institute’s Viking Exhibition, and several other events and historic sites. He has been a turner and demonstrator for 18 years, working almost exclusively with a pole lathe the past 15 years.
Carving Ale Bowls
Becky Lusk
Students will carve and finish an ale bowl, which can be used to drink
ale at the opening of the Vesterheim symposium Coming Out of the Woodwork.
Students
can choose the type of ale bowl they would like to carve—ale hen,
ale goose, horse head, or a dragonhead ale bowl. Blanks will be cut,
and
students will
round out their bowls and carve the inside of the bowl using hand
tools. This class will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: students should have previous carving experience.
April 15-17 | $165 members / $195 non-members
Becky Lusk is descended from immigrant woodcarver Hans Simonson and rosemaler Jean Giese. Becky is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist. Her work was included in the exhibition Norwegian Folk Art: The Migration of a Tradition, curated by Marion Nelson, Vesterheim’s former executive director. Becky and her husband have a workshop near Coon Valley, Wisconsin.
Cold Metalworking: Ornamental Iron for Chests
Tom Latané
Students will learn to cut profiles and pierce interior designs through
sheet metal with chisels. They will stamp surface patterns (chasing)
and give designs simple volume by bumping out the sheet from behind
(embossing).
These exercises could produce a highly decorative keyhole escutcheon
or ornamental strap or panel. This class will require an additional
fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 16-17 | $110 members / $130 non-members
Tom Latané started forging reproduction colonial and early American ironwork in Maryland in the early 1970s. After moving to the Midwest in 1981 he was introduced to the creative whimsy of Norwegian folk iron.Tom and his wife, Catherine, have a shop in Pepin, Wisconsin, where Tom repairs antique wrought iron and produces original pieces using a traditional design vocabulary and historic hand techniques.Tom has demonstrated for blacksmith groups and has taught at folk schools around the country. Some of Tom’s ironwork can be seen in Vesterheim’s Westby-Torgerson Education Center.
Tool Sharpening Workshop
Everett Ellenwood
Having trouble getting your carving tools razor sharp? This class
will show you a simple proven method to get your carving
tools properly contoured
and sharp each time you sharpen them. Sign up for 11:00
a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 18 | $15
Everett Ellenwood is an award-winning carver who specializes in carving realistic human faces. He has been a wood carver for over 30 years, and for the past 20-plus years he has taught all levels of carving, from beginner to advanced. Everett has perfected a unique, easy to learn, sharpening technique, which he has taught to hundreds of carvers with excellent response.
Svidekor—Burnt Decoration on Wood
Richard Enstad
Students will learn this traditional technique of applying heated metal
tools to create geometric surface decoration. This class will require
an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 21-22 | $110 members / $130 non-members
Richard Enstad is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist who became a “born-again Norwegian” in 1983. Richard and his wife Nancy travel to Norway on a regular basis. Richard has been on two Vesterheim-sponsored folk-art tours, once to Levanger and once to Lillehammer. A frequent demonstrator of Norwegian-inspired woodworking crafts, he returns annually to Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa, and Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota. In 2003, Richard and Nancy were honored as Minnesota Science Museum Volunteers of the Year for their involvement with the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling Viking exhibition. Richard is the co-author, with Harley Refsal, of the lead article in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking
Spoon Carving and/or Kolrosing
Judy Ritger
Learn how to carve a small decorative spoon and how to do kolrosing (incised
line decoration) on a flat wood surface. This class will require an
additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 21-22 |
$110 members /
$130 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.
Painting Techniques for Carvers
Judy Kjenstad
In this class, students will explore working with various paints
and how to choose the appropriate finish for a carving project.
Acanthus
carvers
will appreciate learning how to highlight just the right planes
of the scrolls in their carvings. Students will discover the differences
between
water,
oil, and milk paint coatings and try them out on their own carvings.
Glazing and other finishing techniques will also be discussed
and demonstrated. For those carvers courageous enough to color their
wood,
Judy’s class
opens up a vast array of possibilities for the carved project.
Students
need to
bring some wooden items to paint on. This class will require an
additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 21-23 | $165 members / $195 non-members
Judy Kjenstad is an accomplished rosemaler and teacher, and a Vesterheim Gold Medalist. She is also a musician who plays traditional Scandinavian music. Her extensive knowledge of painting ranges from preparing the wooden piece to painting and finishing. She has worked in oils, milk paint, casein, and acrylics, and with various finishes to produce stunning results.
Developing Carving Patterns the Painless Way
Phil Odden
Phil will help students design and draw their own carving patterns
in acanthus, rococo, or dragon style. Phil will give insight
regarding the creative process
with emphasis on form and function. Students will bring along
full-scale measurements of projects, or projects already constructed
with need
of ornamentation, including kubbestols, mantel pieces, mangle
boards, ale
bowls, or anything.
They will create a decorative design that will be their own
in a pain-free way. This class may require an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: beginner to intermediate.
April 21-23 | $165 members / $195 non-members
Phil Odden is an American who trained at the Hjerleid School in Dovre, Norway. He and his wife, Else Bigton, are professional woodcarvers and Vesterheim Gold Medal winners who have a workshop near Barronett, Wisconsin. Together, they published the book Treskjœrerkunsten (The Art of Woodcarving).
Scandinavian-Style Figure Carving for All Levels
Harley Refsal
This is a figure-carving class with all aspects covered,
including painting the figure. This class may require
an additional
fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
April 21-25 | $275 members / $325 non-members
Harley Refsal is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist who has taught Scandinavian figure carving throughout the United States and Norway. He was honored by H. M. Harald V, King of Norway, with the St. Olav Medal of Honor for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway. A professor of Scandinavian folk art at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he also regularly demonstrates and gives many presentations about Norwegian folk art and traditions. He is the author of several books, including a new one, Art & Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving. Harley is a featured author in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.
Beginning and Intermediate Acanthus Carving
Hans Sandom
In this class, students will learn the basic techniques
of acanthus carving, a baroque style of relief carving
with scrolls
and
leaves. The instructor
will cover aspects of design and tool use. This
class may require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: beginner to intermediate.
June 2-6 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Tool Sharpening Session:
June
1, evening, $15 fee
Intermediate and Advanced Acanthus Carving
Hans Sandom
This class is for students with some experience
in acanthus carving. The instructor will cover
design and carving
techniques. Students
completing Beginning and Intermediate Acanthus
Carving are welcome. This class
may
require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
June 9-13 |
$300 members / $350 non-members
Tool Sharpening Session: June
8, evening, $15 fee
Hans Sandom is an immigrant from Folldal, Norway. He began carving 25 years ago and is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist. Influenced by Leif Melgaard, his work has received attention for its perfection of design and precision of craftsmanship. Sandom’s work has been featured in several exhibitions, including Norwegian Folk Art: The Migration of a Tradition, curated by Marion Nelson, former Vesterheim executive director. Hans is a featured author in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.
Intermediate and Advanced Chip Carving
Wayne Barton
Chip carving is a decorative style of carving
that is quick and easy to learn. In chip
carving, precise
cuts
are incised
into
the wood,
forming chips of various geometric shape,
size, and proportion. One of the unexpected
pleasures of chip carving is the discovery
of the limited number of tools
and materials needed to do truly fine work.
Chip carving is versatile in design possibilities
and
application,
and the
end result is
beautiful. This
class may require an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: students should have
some carving experience.
June 16-20 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Wayne Barton is a professional woodcarver trained in Brienz, Switzerland. He has authored five popular books on chip carving and is recognized as the preeminent authority of this style in North America. His carvings can be found in private collections around the world. Wayne has won both national and international awards for his work and was named “Woodcarver of the Year” in 2005. His carvings were on special exhibition for 18 months at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, Wayne devotes much of his time to teaching in the United States, Canada, and Switzerland.
Acanthus and Dragon-Style Carving
Arve Mosand - Norwegian instructor
Acanthus or dragon style, it’s your choice! Vesterheim again offers the
unique opportunity to study with Arve Mosand, one of Norway’s most respected
carvers, designers, and teachers. Students can choose to complete the
project of a raised panel box in either the acanthus or dragon style
or bring their own project. Students
who choose to do the raised panel box can order the drawings to build
the box before class or order a ready-to-carve box kit.This class
will
require
an
additional
fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: intermediate to advanced.
July 12-16 | $395 members / $495 non-members
July 19-23 | $395 members / $495 non-members
Acanthus and Dragon-Style Drawing/Design
Arve Mosand - Norwegian instructor
This additional two-hour class for two evenings will be a wonderful
opportunity, not only for carvers, but for anyone interested in
design! Learn to understand
the pattens and lines of acanthus, dragon style, and rococo. Open
to everyone—those interested in carving, rosemaling, and fiber arts.
All
will benefit from
this class.
Level of instruction: all levels.
July 21-22 | $45 members / $60 non-members
Arve Mosand is orginally from Trøndelag, Norway. He began carving at age 10 and his enthusiasm for the art has continued. Arve graduated from the Hjerleid School in Dovre in woodcarving and cabinet making. Arve and his wife, Rannveig Schumann, who is also a professional carver, live in Skreia, south of Lillehammer.
Figure Carving
Harley Refsal
This is a figure-carving class with all
aspects covered, including painting the
figure. This
class may require
an additional
fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
September 5-7, Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday |
$150 members /
$180 non-members
Harley Refsal is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist who has taught Scandinavian figure carving throughout the United States and Norway. He was honored by H. M. Harald V, King of Norway, with the St. Olav Medal of Honor for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway. A professor of Scandinavian folk art at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he also regularly demonstrates and gives many presentations about Norwegian folk art and traditions. He is the author of several books, including a new one, Art & Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving. Harley is a featured author in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.
Beginning Figure Carving
Rebecca Hanna
Get away from your normal day job and
have many laughs as you share the
fun of carving
in a
relaxed atmosphere!
Rebecca
will
lead beginning
students
through the process of figure carving
with a simple project, and more experienced
carvers
may choose
their own projects.
Rebecca’s
philosophy
is ”there are
no mistakes, only new opportunities.”
This class
may require an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
September 18, 25, and October 2, 9,
16, 23, evening class |
$80 members / $95 non-members
Rebecca Hanna is Scandinavian American, but only began pursuing her heritage as a student at Luther College. She is an elementary-school teacher at South Winneshiek School, and is very active in the Decorah Sons of Norway chapter. Hanna is a ribbon winner in Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition, and was instrumental in the creation of Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.
Holiday Figure Carving
Harley Refsal
All aspects of figure carving will
be covered, including painting
the figure.
The figure
will have a holiday
theme. This class
may require an additional
fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
November 7-9, Friday evening,
Saturday, and Sunday |
$150 members / $180 non-members
Harley Refsal is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist who has taught Scandinavian figure carving throughout the United States and Norway. He was honored by H. M. Harald V, King of Norway, with the St. Olav Medal of Honor for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway. A professor of Scandinavian folk art at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he also regularly demonstrates and gives many presentations about Norwegian folk art and traditions. He is the author of several books, including a new one, Art & Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving. Harley is a featured author in Vesterheim magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, dedicated to woodworking.