Viksdalmaling is not fanciful with Telemark scrolls and imaginative flowers but instead with twisted tongues, elongated teardrops, moons and circles, and plenty of crosses. Viksdalmaling is rich in symbolism and history, yet perhaps on the verge of extinction again. This presentation is about history, trade, design, color, and symbolism in Viksdal rosemaling. Viksdal design is about the...
Join Sons of Norway Restauration Lodge and former Vesterheim Trustee Dale Goodman! The meeting will be held in-person at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2210 Grand Avenue in Marion, Iowa. Dale will join the meeting in-person, and visitors have the option to join in-person or remotely. Visitors wishing to attend the meeting, either in-person or remotely, should...
Cozy up with a cup of cocoa or tea and get ready for the holiday season with Vesterheim. Vesterheim members will enjoy: • An exciting insider update from Vesterheim President Chris Johnson, including the latest news the Vesterheim Commons opening and dedication. • A special presentation by goldsmith Liz Bucheit, winner of the Best of Show award...
Vesterheim invites everyone to an opening reception, gallery walk, and lecture for the exhibit Seven Summers on November 18, 2023, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The event will begin with a gallery walk-through of the exhibit with artist Arna Rennan at 1:00 p.m. in Vesterheim Main Building. At 2:00 p.m., Arna will present Per Spelman Had Only...
Join Barbro Tronhuus Storlien for a lecture on Norwegian folk costumes. Norway has a variety of more than 450 different folk costumes, and many of these have intricate embroideries. Many of the folk costumes are easily recognizable while others are more unknown. In this lecture, Storlien will talk about the differences and similarities between the Norwegian...
Vesterheim welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers to Barnetimen Children’s Hour. Meet in the lobby of the museum’s Main Building to explore objects and stories in the museum’s collection and make fun art. During the November program, explore the exhibit Embellishment and discover the many ways artists and makers embellish and decorate useful objects to make them...
Get cozy this Christmas with stories about nisse and tomte, the mythological creatures from Norwegian and Swedish folklore today typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. These hidden folk bring good luck to the farm all year long, take care of the animals (in the woods as well as the barn), and keep mischievous trolls at...
Come learn about the various examples of rosemaling from the area known as Mǿre og Romsdal Fylke (County) in Western Norway! Join Nancy Odalen, Vesterheim Gold Medalist and a recipient of one of the 2022-2023 Folk Art Residency grants, for a lively discussion about the rosemaling that was created within the county of Mǿre og Romsdal....
Join the Sons of Norway Tusenvann Lodge based in Isle, Minnesota, and Vesterheim Collection Manager Jennifer Kovarik to explore the immigrant experience through stories associated with artifacts in Vesterheim’s collection. Between 1825 and 1980, nearly one million Norwegians left for new lives in America. We'll consider the reasons for leaving, what they brought, and where...
Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, facilitates a regular bokprat, discussing Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. The December bokprat features Vigdis Hjorth's A House in Norway. This contemporary novel tells the story of Alma, a divorced textile artist who makes a living from weaving standards for trade unions...
