Folk Art Study Tour to Norway
Vesterheim invites practicing folk artists and folk art enthusiasts to join us in 2025! We will explore and study traditional Norwegian folk art with a special emphasis on rosemaling. Join us as we journey through southern Norway experiencing the beauty of many rosemaling styles including Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder, Østerdalen, Hallingdal, Gudbrandsdalen, West Telemark, Peder Aadnes Valdres, and Numedal painters, as well as many styles of painting and carving in the Gundersen Collection and National Folk Museum in Oslo. We’ll make stops in the towns of Kristiansand, Kongsberg, Eidsborg, Rauland, Geilo, and Lillehammer.
The tour will include museum visits, presentations by scholars, studio visits with traditional artists, and historic sightseeing. A unique hands-on experience is also being planned. At every point along the way, we’ll delight in the spectacular scenery, delicious food, and warm hospitality that is Norway.
Check back for a complete itinerary and price.
Reserve Your Spot on Tour
For more information about upcoming tours:
Rolf Svanoe
563-382-9681, ext. 240
Vesterheim is aware of concern about the impact travel has on the environment. We are committed to encouraging travel and cultural exploration, while taking responsibility for a fair share of the environmental cost tours incur. Starting in 2025, for each tour to Norway, Vesterheim will invest in the National Philanthropic Trust: Rick Steves’ Europe Climate Smart Fund. Read more here.
Tour Guide
GUIDE: Patti Goke
Patti Goke of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, has been rosemaling for over 35 years and has taken many classes with American and Norwegian artists. One of her rosemaling experiences was painting in the Raftevold Hotel in Hornindal, Nordfjord, Norway. Patti is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist, Vesterheim Rosemaling Letter editor, and cofounded Nordic Canvas Folk Art Studio with Kim Garrett. She was the guide for Vesterheim’s 2014 and 2016 Folk Art Tours to Norway.
Tour Leader
LEADER: Andrew Ellingsen
Andrew Ellingsen is the Director of Folk Art Education at Vesterheim. Prior to joining Vesterheim, Ellingsen taught elementary music and worked as an instructional coach in Iowa and Minnesota for nearly 20 years, teaching students ranging from early childhood all the way through graduate studies, most recently teaching elementary music in the Decorah Community School District. In addition to his work for Vesterheim, Ellingsen is a folk artist who makes Sámi-inspired jewelry.