The Art of Kolrosing (In-Person)

Class Details

• Schedule: March 27-29 (9:00 am-5:00 pm CT)
• Location: This was an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School.
• Instructor: Liesl Chatman
  
• Level of Instruction: Beginner Friendly

Description

Kolrosing is a humble decorative Scandinavian folk art made by incising wood surfaces and filling the lines with pigment. In 19th century Norway, this art adorned three-quarters of a million wooden Toten spoons but is now classified as an endangered folk art. Kolrosing doesn’t involve specialized tools, strength, or a studio—just a very small knife. In fact, you can do it in your lap and carry everything you need in a pencil case! Kolrosing artist and folklorist Liesl Chatman will cover knife techniques used in cutting letters, borders, patterns, and illustration.  

Kolrosing knives and other tools are available to borrow during class or to purchase. Prior experience in woodworking is helpful but not required.

In this course, students will learn the basics of kolrosing through good technique and practice allowing them to confidently and joyfully explore kolrosing beyond this class. Liesl will cover layout and design, surface preparation, knife techniques, cutting straight and curved lines into letters and patterns, and techniques for working on both flat and curved surfaces.

Students will be able to make something extra special through kolrosing—like putting someone's name or their birthday or kolrosing an image on a special wooden object like a spoon. Plus, you’ll make your own pocket zine using Liesl’s  hand drawn handouts—all sized to be pasted into a Moleskine 3 ½” x 5 ½” notebook that fits in your kit!  

Enrollment Deadline

This course is no longer open for registration. Check out our current and upcoming classes for other opportunities to join!

Woodcarving classes are supported by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual
Fund from the Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust.

Figure carving and kolrosing classes are supported in part by generous gifts
to the Vesterheim Annual Fund in Memory of Harley Refsal.

This program is supported in part by the Reverend Glenn and Mary Borreson Endowment for Woodworking Education

 

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