Vesterheim Expands Classes for Youth

Whittling Klubb for Kids

Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, is pleased to announce new classes for youth at Vesterheim's Folk Art School.

Classes will be in fiber arts, rosemaling, woodworking, forging, and Norwegian language and culture. Registration is open now at vesterheim.org or by calling 563-382-9681.

"These classes give youth a chance to be creative, have fun, meet new friends, and start a life-long love of folk art," Darlene Fossum-Martin, Education Specialist, said. All of the instructors are experts in their craft and have experience working with young people.

"Kids-maling (Rosemaling)—'Frozen'" with Sally Stromseth will be held on Tuesday afternoons —January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th & February 6th. The class is for ages 10-17 and the cost is $35 per student. Warm yourselves in winter and learn the basics of rosemaling, a form of decorative painting just like in the Disney movie Frozen. Come on over to Vesterheim after school and thaw out with paint, brushes, and beautiful colors. As they say in the movie, "Let the storm rage on. The cold won't bother us anyway!"

"Fun with Fiber for Kids" with Laura Demuth will be held on Wednesday afternoons —January 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st and February 7th, 14th. Curious about sheep, the fleece that grows on their backs, and how wool is transformed into cloth? In this class, students will visit a flock of sheep, explore various ways to create braids and bands, and learn to knit and weave. The class is for ages 10-17 and the cost is $35 per student.

"Whittling Klubb for Kids" with Rebecca Hanna will be held on Wednesday afternoons — January 10, 17, 24, 31 & February 7, 14 or March 7, 21, 28 & April 4, 11, 18. Learn all sorts of different carving techniques tailored to your skill level. The class is for ages 10-17 and the cost is $35 per student.

"Kids: Forging with Fire" with Brian Fuhrmann will be held on Saturday mornings—March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th. The class is for ages 13-17 and the cost is $65 per student. Learn basic forging theory, shop safety, and proper use of tools. Once in the shop, students will use the forging equipment, including forges, anvils, hammers, and tongs to make a key rack or coat hook.

"Norsk Skole (Norwegian School)" for ages 8-10 is led by a very enthusiastic and excited group of students in the Luther College Nordic Studies Program. Class will be held from 3:15-5:15 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons—February 13th, 20th, 27th & March 6th, 13th, 20th and the cost is $35 per student. Each lesson will include basic Norwegian language instruction and typical activities of Norwegian folk art and outdoor traditions. The team of students will be assisted by Maren Johnson, Assistant Professor of the Nordic Studies Program.

"Fun with Fiber for Kids," "Whittling Klubb for Kids," and "Kids-maling (Rosemaling)—'Frozen'" are funded by a grant from The American-Scandinavian Foundation.