Vesterheim Folk Art School students recently enjoyed the first class Kaffepause (coffee break) in the newly renovation Bruening Visitor Center.
This sunny room on the first floor of the Westby-Torgerson Education Center has been re-envisioned as a Folk Art School class welcome and meeting space. It’s a great place for students to gather for informal breaks or for scheduled ones like this Kaffepause that allows students from various classes to meet up and exchange creative ideas and inspiration while sipping a cup of coffee and share a treat! It’s also a flexible space to host after school youth klubbs and pop-up folk-art classes.
Folk Art School staff offices are located just behind the public area so staff are on hand to welcome students and orient them to the classroom building. There is also an accessible gender-neutral bathroom.
The room has been outfitted with a full-size refrigerator, sink, coffee station, microwave, and easily moveable tables and chairs so students can bring their lunch and snacks during classes and the space can be rearranged for different purposes. There are video screens with capability to show films and programs like the live presentation from Norway by Anne Elisebeth Skogen during Vesterheim’s Syttende Mai celebration.
The room was previously decorated with beautiful, colorful murals by painters Sigmund Aarseth and Sallie Haugen Dereus. Recently, woodworker Kim Glock designed and fashioned new shelves and Rebecca Hanna added the kroting decorations based on the primstav calendar stick and other traditional geometric folk-art patterns. Weavings and wall hangings by Vesterheim friends will rotate through the space adding to the fun.
You can look forward to a warm Folk Art School welcome at your next visit. Stop by!
