Events

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This four-day in-person class will paint a Bostkast (comb cupboard) specially designed for us by woodworker extraordinaire, Mike Lusk, using the Hans Belle cupboard in the museum for inspiration. The class will be taught in oils. During the class, we will explore the origins of the Lesja school of rosemaling with a deep dive into its differences […]

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Join us for a Hallingdal bunad purse embroidery class with Gina A. Nylund of Bunad Creations! Learn traditional stitching techniques as Gina guides you through creating your own beautifully embroidered purse. She’ll provide all the materials, so you can focus on bringing this exquisite Norwegian craft to life. Whether you already have a Hallingdal bunad or simply want a […]

Students will forge material for two laminated knife blades using wrought iron and steel with a method described by Håvard Bergland in his book, The Art of Traditional Blacksmithing, Page 112 – The Chisel Method. The center of a bar of salvaged wrought iron will be chiseled open, and high carbon steel will be forge-welded into […]

Save the dates! Join us for the 58th annual Nordic Fest July 24-26, 2025 in Decorah, IA. Nordic Fest, held annually the last full weekend of July, is a celebration of Scandinavian heritage, culture, and food. Since 1967, Nordic Fest has offered fun and entertainment for the whole family.  The festival takes place in Downtown […]

A tin lamp from the Vesterheim collection serves as the inspiration for this class. Starting with a flat sheet of tinplate, you will cut, shape, and solder tinplated steel to make a reproduction. The intricate designs will be made using a hammer and punches, then the lamp will be formed from the pierced pieces into […]

Students will forge and fabricate a tapered square body with a key slot in one side. The body of the lock will be held together by tenons on the ends of straps until the top and bottom can be brazed in the forge. The shackle will be forged with a flared flange to cover the […]

In this class, students will make a Norwegian bruk kniv, or farm knife – a tool meant for everyday use. This is a simple unadorned knife with no silver mountings on it or the sheath – a knife you won’t be afraid to use! Students will pick a blade and handle shape and learn the process of shaping the […]

Discover the ancient art of Varafell weaving, a traditional Viking-age technique closely related to rya weaving. Instead of yarn, this method uses wool locks as floss, creating a thick, warm, and durable textile. The Varafell, a warm shaggy-piled woven cloak, dates back to medieval times and was traditionally woven on a warp-weighted loom. In this class, students will […]