Be inspired by budding folk artists and Scandinavian traditions at Vesterheim! Students from the Scandinavian Fine Handcraft January Term course at Luther College will demonstrate carving and exhibit their class projects in an open house in Vesterheim’s Main Building.

Everyone is invited to this free community open house.

During the open house, students from the class will demonstrate carving and exhibit their class projects. Refreshments will be served.

Luther January Term students spend the month of January learning Scandinavian fine handcrafts from established folk art instructor Fred Livesay. The primary focus of the class is traditional woodworking, and students spend some time outside, learning to forage for carving wood, especially invasive species and discarded landscaping materials. They also study Sámi-inspired jewelry with folk art instructor Norma Refsal. The class is held at Vesterheim, and students visit the museum collection multiple times to follow the lineage of craft through generations.

Thirty-five years of teaching and studying in the United States, Sweden, and England give instructor Fred Livesay a clear understanding of the joy handmade objects bring to everyday living; the healing art of craft; and the meditative connection between head, hands, and heart. Livesay is a founding instructor of North House Folk School and of the Spoon Gathering in Milan, Minnesota, and a sought-after teacher of craft nationally and internationally.