COVID-19 Protocols as of October 15, 2021
The Milan Village Arts school recommenced in-person classes on May 1, 2021. To ensure the safest class environment for everyone involved, the school implemented a COVID policy that required all students, instructors and MVAS staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of class. This policy has been highly effective and the school was able to successfully run a number of classes during the spring, summer and fall of 2021. By October, the school had hoped this policy could be relaxed, but the spread of the Delta variant required changes to be postponed. Until further notice, the following protocols will remain in place.
• All instructors, students and MVAS staff are required to be fully vaccinated at the time of class. Please bring your proof of vaccination when attending class.
- Only instructors, students and staff will have access to the school during class.
- All CDC guidelines current at the time of class will be implemented, including social distancing and hand washing. As all participants are vaccinated, the wearing of masks will be at the discretion of the instructor.
- If students feel unwell prior to the class, they should not attend class. Students will receive a full refund if they are unable to attend class due to illness.
- If a student or instructor tests positive for COVID-19 in the week following the class, they should contact the school.
Rosemaling in the Valdres Style with Clarice Dieter
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
Registration Deadline: September 23, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
The students in this class will paint a small oval bentwood box in the Valdres style. Valdres-style rosemaling uses soft, simple colors and realistic-looking flowers.
Clarice has received the boxes from the woodworker which she will bring with her. The cost of the box is $21, including shipping and tax. If you are close to Morris, you may pick up your box ahead of time.
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.
Rosemaling in the Os Style with Clarice Dieter
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday,
August 5, 6 & 7, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: July 23, 2022
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Students in this class will paint a tray in the Os style. The Os style has brighter, happy colors. The woodworker has sent the trays to Clarice. You will get them from her. The cost of the tray is $19. If you are close to Morris, you may pick up your box ahead of time. This will allow for some preparation before class.
Tuition: member $150 non-member $165
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.
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: September 24, 2022
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Students in this class will paint a round 6” box in the Gudbrandsdal style. Rosemaling from Gudbrandsdal resembles the spiraling scrolls in acanthus and includes subtle shading which gives a three-dimensional effect.
The box is available from Vesterheim. The SKU # is 2049-6, cost is $11.55. You may call Vesterheim at 800-979-3346 or go on-line to order it.
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.
Kolrosing: A Scandinavian Tradition with Ty Thornock
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: June 4, 2022
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Kolrosing is the traditional Scandinavian decorative art of incising wood and back lling with pigments. Join me for a day as I walk you through both the basics and intermediate techniques of kolrosing, including selection of tools and wood, layout and design, types of cuts, clean junctions, and nishing options. Each student will leave with a nished project and the knowledge to create more on their own. Most anything can be kolrosed, including wood spoons, wood bowls, and decorative items. Design is only limited by your imagination!
Tuition: member $75 non-member $90
Supplies: I will have a selection of knives available to use, but it is highly recommended that individuals bring their own knives. I recommend kolrosing knives from Pinewood Forge. pinewoodforge.com
Click here to register.
Read Ty Thornock’s bio.
Norwegian Knife Making: Beginning with Jon Roisen
Level: Beginner
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 14, 15 & 16, 2022
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, 2022
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 $130 non-member $145
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 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 8, 2022
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 $215 non-member $230
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 23 & 24, 2022
Registration Deadline: April 9, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
In this class, students will sew a pair of beautiful Norwegian mittens in the size they choose. The mitten project will give the student all the skills necessary to move onto other projects such as boots, wristlets, winter caps and blankets.
Skinfeller is a Norwegian craft of sewing sheep skins 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. Expect to pay $50 to $60 for the sheepskin. A full-sized quality Scandinavian sheepskin can cost $300. Roughly 4 pairs of mittens 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.
Swedish Wheat Weaving with Lynette Swenson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: August 6, 2022
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Wheat is a symbol of goodness and prosperity. Wheat weaving is an ancient folk art that developed in agrarian societies that grows wheat. Decorations made from wheat are used to celebrate the harvest, honor the earth for a good crop and decorate the home.
The projects to be made in class include “cat’s paw,” heart-shaped mordiford, and a house blessing, – “May there always be bread in your house.”
A supply list will be sent upon registration.
Tuition: member $80 non-member $95
Supplies: Wheat is supplied and included in the tuition fee.
Supply List: 12” ruler, old bath towel, small spray bottle, Elmer’s glue, small bottle of bleach and scissors (good sewing scissors are not necessary).
Click here to register.
Read Lynette Swenson’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets with Norma Refsal
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 14.
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 9, 2022
Location: Milan Community Center
The indigenous Sami people (in the past, often referred to as Laplanders) can be found in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Many own herds of reindeer, and reindeer husbandry can be a significant part of their livelihood.
Sami artisans create beautiful items using reindeer leather embellished with spun pewter thread. The bracelets we will be making are then fastened with buttons made of shed reindeer antler.
We will work in leather, nickel-free pewter thread and antler, constructing a bracelet that can be finished in a one-day course.
The work is very close hand work and if you need extra magnification, you will need to bring your own.
All tools and supplies will be provided for use during the class. If you are accustomed to using a thimble, bring it along.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $35. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the beginning of class.
Click here to register.
Read Norma Refsal’s bio.
Sami-Inspired Bracelets: Continuation Class with Norma Refsal
Age/Level: Some experience in Sami Bracelet making required. Minimum age 14.
Date: Sunday, April 24, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 9, 2022
Location: Milan Community Center
Join Norma for a day of continuation, making Sami-inspired bracelets that go beyond the traditional 3-braid. There will be several designs to choose from. This class will give each student the opportunity to choose and personalize a style of bracelet they want to make.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
It is close work so be sure to bring along any extra magnification and lighting you are accustomed to using as well as your favorite thimble.
Tuition: member $85 non-member $100
Supplies: $50. The supply fee is paid to the instructor at the beginning of class.
Click here to register.
Read Norma Refsal’s bio.