Norwegian Knife Making: Beginning with Jon Roisen
Age/Level: Beginner. Minimum age 15
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 8, 9 & 10, 2027
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 19, 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 their own knife and sheath.
Tuition: member $150 non-member $165
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 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: January 1, 2027
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 $240 non-member $255
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.
Scandinavian-Style Flat Plane Figure Carving: Modern Characters Based on Historical Designs with Charles Banks
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 15
Class 1: Saturday & Sunday,
February 20 & 21, 2027
Registration Deadline: January 30, 2027
Class 2: Saturday & Sunday,
To be announced
Registration Deadline: 3 weeks prior to class
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Milan Village Arts School
Join instructor Charles Banks for a “Flat Plane” character carving experience in “Modern” Scandi figure carving design. In this course, students will use just a knife to carve a Nordic-inspired character (instructor’s choice) in this introduction to the simplified world of “Flat Plane” carving. This experience is open to new carvers as well as carvers with more experience. Students will be introduced to the history, past and present carvers, a “gallery” of carved characters, the necessary cuts and finishing techniques all culminating in a finished carving. This class does require a modest amount of dexterity and hand strength.
Tuition: member $145 non-member $160
Supplies: Carvers will need to purchase an initial class kit from the instructor. Kit includes figure blank, practice stick, head study blank, instructional packets. Kit price is $35 cash only. Additional blanks are available for purchase from the instructor $10 and up.
Click here to register.
Read Charles Banks’ bio.
Kolrosing: Reviving a Scandinavian Art Form with Scott Johnson
Age/Level: Beginner and above. Minimum age 16
Date: Friday through Sunday, April 9, 10 & 11, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 20, 2027
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. Anything wood can be Kolrosed! 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 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: September 25, 2027
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 $320 non-member $335
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.
Class 1: Saturday & Sunday, (Judy Velde Weiss)
Date: October 24 & 25, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 3, 2026
Class 2: Saturday & Sunday, Instructor to be decided.
Date: October 23 & 24, 2027
Registration Deadline: October 2, 2027
Time: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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.