Norwegian Knife Making: Beginning with Jon Roisen
Age/Level: Beginner. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 9, 10 & 11, 2026
Time: Friday & Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will have the opportunity to make a fine “tollekniv” – a Norwegian work knife. Students will work with “Flame or masur birch” Norwegian birch burl and German leather. Attention is paid to handle form and design so as to ergonomically fit the individual student’s hand. Sanding, finishing and wood staining complete the handle while pouting and staining finish the leather sheath. At the end of the class, students will have a fully completed knife and sheath.
Tuition: member $145 non-member $160
Supplies: $95. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
For questions, email Jon.
Click here to register.
Read Jon Roisen’s bio.
Norwegian Knife Making: 5-Day with Jon Roisen
Age/Level: Beginner to experienced. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday through Tuesday, January 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
This 5-day class, allows students more time to complete a more decorative knife incorporating silver, birch bark and reindeer horn into their designs. Students will have the opportunity to hone their skills, using more advanced techniques that take more time to learn and execute. Students will make either a fine Telemark-style knife or a knife consisting of multiple traditional materials used in Nordic knives. Possibilities include bone and birch bark stacked handles, Damascus blades, as well as silver and reindeer horn embellishments.
Tuition: member $230 non-member $245
Supplies: $120. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
For questions, email Jon.
Click here to register.
Read Jon Roisen’s bio.
Norwegian Skinnfeller with Karen Aakre
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 12
Date: Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 4, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will have the choice of sewing a pair of beautiful Norwegian mittens, boots or a hat in the size they choose. The project will give the student all the skills necessary to move onto other projects such as boots, wristlets, winter caps and blankets. At least one project will be completed in class. Students can cut additional patterns from their sheepskin and block print the patterns in class. Students will have the skills and enough material to complete several more projects at home.
Skinfeller is a Norwegian craft of sewing sheepskins together and then decorating with birch blocks and natural boiled tree bark to leave a beautiful image. The sheep blankets were passed on as a wedding gift to the daughter of the family.
Please go to www.youtube.com and enter “Karen Aakre skinnfeller” in the search engine to watch a short program on Prairie Public Broadcasting.
Tuition: member $145 non-member $160
Supplies: A $50 Supply Fee is paid to the instructor at the end of the class. Students will choose a full sheepskin which ranges from $100 for a basic sheepskin up to $300 for a full-sized quality Scandinavian sheepskin. Roughly 4 pairs of mittens, or projects of equal size, can be sourced from 1 skin. The cost of the skin is in addition to the $50 Supply Fee. Please contact Karen to discuss the pelts available: 218-731-0072 | kaakre53@icloud.com
Click here to register.
Read Karen Aakre’s bio.
Kolrosing: Reviving a Scandinavian Art Form with Scott Johnson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Friday through Sunday, April 10, 11 & 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 8, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Come learn this exciting, creative and increasingly popular Scandinavian art form. Dating back to Viking times, Kolrosing is a very old Scandinavian art form that is used to decorate wooden items, such as spoons, cups, plates, bowls, knife handles and more. First, a design is drawn on the surface of a wooden item, then very thin cuts are made without removing any wood. Once the design is complete, coal dust (Kolrosing) or bark dust (bark-rosing) is rubbed into the cuts. Finally, an oil finish is applied to bring out the design.
In this class, you will be Kolrosing a number of different items, including a shrink box and a spoon. Scott will supply a Kolrosing kit for students to use during the class. This kit contains all the tools needed to complete the projects. Kits will be available for purchase in the class. Scott will supply all the wooden items and supplies required to complete the projects.
Tuition: member $190 non-member $205
Supplies: A $40 Supply Fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of the class. The instructor will supply everything needed to complete your projects.
Click here to register.
Read Scott Johnson’s bio.
Acanthus Carving with Hans Sandom
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 18
Date: Monday through Friday, October 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: September 26, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Both novices and accomplished workers meet in this class to carve beautiful, ornate, leaf designs in wood. Students learn to work with the wood grain, basic elements of design, and the use and care of wood carving tools. The Acanthus technique dates back many centuries and can be used to add beauty to both structural and decorative woodwork.
Tuition: member $310 non-member $325
Supplies: A Supply Fee depending on the project chosen is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class. Cost of a project: $25 – $75.
A Supply List will be sent on registration. Sets of carving tools are available for rent from the instructor.
Click here to register.
Read Hans Sandom’s bio.
Introduction to Rosemaling with Judy Velde Weiss
Age/Level: Beginner. Minimum age 16, 14 if accompanied by an adult.
Date: Saturday & Sunday, October 24 & 25, 2026
Time: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: October 3, 2026
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Discover the art of Norwegian rosemaling by creating a beautiful project on wood. In this class, you will learn all the essentials to start your rosemaling journey. Master the foundational C and S strokes, and get hands-on experience with proper tools and techniques. You will also learn how to prepare the wood, transfer patterns, mix paints, perfect your brush strokes, and care for your brushes. The class will be taught in oils, providing a rich, traditional experience.
Tuition: member $135 non-member $150
Supplies: Class supplies, including practice boards, practice sheets, brushes, paint,
mediums, and woodenware will be provided by the instructor for a supply fee of $25. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the conclusion of class.
Click here to register.
Read Judy Velde Weiss’s bio.