COVID-19 Policy as of January 1, 2023
In 2023, the Milan Village Arts School’s “vaccination for all” policy will be relaxed to allow everyone the opportunity to attend classes and events. The school no longer requires proof of vaccination. However, the school encourages all students and instructors to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 & Omicron at the time of class. Due to health concerns, some instructors may require all students be fully vaccinated at the time of class. If you remain unvaccinated for COVID-19, please contact the school or visit the school website to check the status of your class.
Until further notice, the following protocols will remain in place.
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- All CDC guidelines current at the time of class will be implemented, including social distancing and hand washing.
- If a student or instructor tests positive for COVID-19 in the week following the class, please contact the school.
- The wearing of masks will be at the discretion of the instructor. The school has a supply of masks if you forget to bring one.
- If a student feels unwell in the days prior to the class or they have COVID symptoms, they should not attend class. Students will receive a full refund if they are unable to attend class due to illness.
- If a student arrives at class with COVID symptoms or develops symptoms during class, they will need to take a 15 minute Antigen Self Test at the school. The school has tests available.
- If a student or instructor tests positive for COVID-19 in the week following the class, please contact the school.
The school will restrict public access to the school during classes.
A new HVAC system will be installed in the main school in the fall of 2022. This will help with air quality throughout the school.
These protocols may change and be updated over the next 12 months. Please contact the school or visit our website for the latest updates: www.milanvillageartsschool.org
Rosemaling in the Gudbrandsdal Style with Clarice Dieter
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: No deadline
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Students in this class will paint a round 8”covered bowl in the Gudbrandsdal style. Rosemaling from Gudbrandsdal resembles the spiraling scrolls in acanthus and includes subtle shading which gives a three-dimensional effect.
The 8” covered bowl is available from Vesterheim, SKU # RC3754. $15.25, plus shipping. You can order it from Vesterheim at 800-979-3346.
Tuition: member & non-member $55
Supplies: A supply list will be sent upon registration.
Please contact Clarice with questions at cdieter@fedtel.net or cell 320-287-0135
Click here to register.
Read Clarice Dieter’s bio.
Norwegian Knife Making: Beginning with Jon Roisen
Level: Beginner. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 13, 14 & 15, 2023
Time: Friday & Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: December 24, 2023
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. At the end of the class, students will have their own 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 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2023
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Returning 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 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, and the use of sterling silver, birch bark, and reindeer horn.
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 15 & 16, 2023
Registration Deadline: March 25, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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.
Scandinavian Knutkorgar (Knotbasket) with Fred Livesay & Phil Moody
Age/Level: Intermediate to advanced. Minimum age 16
Date: Thursday through Sunday, June 22, 23, 24 & 25, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: June 3, 2023
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Knot baskets are particular to Telemark and the West Coast of Norway, and the region of Sweden north of Stockholm to just beyond Uppsala, and have a truly unique history and connection to Duluth, Minnesota. Discover this interwoven immigrant journey in this intensive four day class beginning with a close study of baskets from the instructor’s collections and those made in Duluth. Students will begin crafting a 10” X 10” X 8” basket using only a few tools & simple methods. Class will progress from how to select, gather and process the materials to carving the “knots” to preparing corners, uprights, handles and weavers. Students will also learn proper techniques to achieve tight and good looking baskets.
(Previous carving experience is highly recommended. For example, having carved a minimum of 6 spoons or the equivalent. Good hand strength is a must for this class, such as the ability to open a fairly tight jar.)
Tuition: member $300 non-member $315
Supplies: A $50 Supply Fee is paid to the instructor at the end of the class. Tools Required: Mora carving knife, number; 120 or 106. A fine tooth Japanese style saw and a Sharpie pen. The instructor will have some tools for student use, and will supply all other necessary tools to complete the baskets)
Click here to register.
Read Fred Livesay and Phil Moody’s bios.
Scandinavian Flat Plane Figure Carving with Charles Banks
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 15
Date: Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 29, 2023
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this 2 day course, students will use just a knife to carve a Nordic-inspired character in this introduction to the world of Flat Plane carving. This style of woodcarving is simplified and stylized so that even beginning carvers can generate results that are whimsical and satisfying. Students will be introduced to the history, past and present carvers, a multitude of figure carving options, necessary cuts and finishing techniques all culminating in a finished carving or more. This class does require a modest amount of dexterity and hand strength.
Tuition: member $130 non-member $145
Supplies: Blanks cost $5 to $15 depending on the size. Required tools: Flat/straight edged carving knife 1 1/2 to 2 inch works well. Cut resistant glove. Carvers are welcome to bring whatever tools they own.
Click here to register.
Read Charles Banks’ bio.