state

: MN

A hand holds a small, handmade wicker basket against a background of weathered wooden planks. The basket is woven with natural materials. American Swedish Institute

This course will teach beginners how to weave their first stake and strand willow basket. This very old basket style starts with a flat base, and builds the sides upwards with vertical “stakes” and horizontal “strands.”

While weaving their first basket (about 9”x 8”), students will also learn about harvesting, material selection, willow soaking, basket anatomy, and the benefits of different weaving patterns.

Suitable for ages 16+. $225 ($200 ASI member) + $45 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
A collection of handmade wooden spoons of various sizes and wood types are piled on a weathered wooden surface. The spoons are carved and sanded, showcasing different wood grains and shapes. American Swedish Institute

Get your hands on a knife and fresh wood, and start spoon carving!

This two-day class walks students through carving a spoon from a green wood blank to its finished form. Suitable for students of all levels, though prior experience with green woodcarving, is recommended.

Suitable for ages 18+ or 16+ registered alongside an accompanying adult; note that spoon carving requires moderate hand and arm strength and flexibility. $205 ($185 ASI member) + $25 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
A watercolor painting depicts a vibrant bouquet of pink and coral peonies, accented with delicate purple flowers. The flowers are arranged in a clear glass vase against a softly textured background. American Swedish Institute

Celebrate the return of warmth and light while creating an original floral watercolor design from the season’s buds and blooms.

In this two-day watercolor workshop, students will practice painting and drawing from props and leave with an original design suitable for framing or gifting.

Suitable for ages 18+. $275 ($250 ASI member).

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Other Paper
A young boy is carefully painting a blue ceramic object, adding white dots and other details. He is focused on his artwork with a brush in his hand. American Swedish Institute

Learn about and create your own Dala horse!

Students will discover the origins of one of Sweden’s most enduring cultural symbols before painting and decorating their own Dala horse to take home. Adults must attend program with all children they have signed up.

Museum admission is included. $25.95 adult and one child ($20.95 member adult and one child); $15.95 for each additional child.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
A close-up shot of a wooden carving of a person's face wearing a hat. The carving has a rough, textured finish with visible chisel marks. American Swedish Institute

Build skills in Scandinavian-style flat plane figure carving in this intermediate-level workshop.

Students with previous figure carving experience will work on nuances of adding details to figures’ faces and bodies.

Over four weeks, students will practice on sample sticks and bring previously started figures to life.

Geared towards carvers ages 18+ with past figure carving experience. $195 ($175 ASI Member) + $10 Materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
A partially completed birch bark basket made of thin strips of bark woven together. American Swedish Institute

Visit ASI for a day of basket weaving. Students will learn basket-weaving techniques using Minnesota-harvested plants to create a beautiful, natural basket perfect for spring.

Slöjd Studio is a program for children in grades 3–5. Participants will practice slöjd skills and explore new tools as they continue to nurture their lifelong love of handcraft. $25 ($20 ASI member) .

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
Two glass art pieces with abstract beach scenes. American Swedish Institute

Make a pair of custom-designed fused glass beachinspired plates that evoke the beauty, fun, and allure of the beach year-round.

Students will learn the fundamentals of glass design, cutting, decorating, fusing, and slumping by creating a pair of 6″ fused glass plates, in time for summer. No previous experience necessary.

Suitable for ages 18+. $75 ($65 ASI member) + $45 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Glass
Two woven willow strainers rest on a textured surface. American Swedish Institute

Try out a basketry project by making a multipurpose tray out of willow.

Tension trays are useful, beautiful, and happen to be the perfect project for a first-time willow weaver. They can be used as trivets, soap trays, and even cooling trays for bread or cookies.

This class is excellent for anyone curious about this sustainable and versatile basketry material.

Suitable for ages 12-15 registered alongside an adult, or 16+. $75 ($65 ASI member) + $25 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
Wild green nettle leaves. American Swedish Institute

Are you interested in foraging but don’t know where to start?

Join seasoned forager Maria Wesserle to learn more about general foraging guidelines, helpful tools and resources, and some good types of wild edibles to focus on when starting your foraging journey.

This class will include a lecture followed by a short visit outside to the ASI grounds to check out early spring edible greens, weather permitting.

$45 ($40 ASI member).

Minneapolis,
MN
Talks + Conferences
Other
A board game with green and blue pieces is set up. American Swedish Institute

Carve and paint your own game set in this one day workshop open to all skill levels.

Students will practice basic flat-plane and chipcarving techniques to create a game board and pieces for the Old Norse game of Hnefatafl, commonly known as Viking Chess. Students may embellish their work as they see fit with decorative carving and colorful paint, and should expect to leave with a set of pieces ready to use right away.

Ages 16+.  $115 ($100 ASI member) + $60 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
Close-up of knitted wrist warmers with decorative buttons. American Swedish Institute

Pick up a new hobby while being inspired by Swedish knitting traditions!

This workshop is for beginners or those who wish to refresh their dormant skills. Students will make a wrist warmer or cup cozy while learning to cast on, knit, purl, and finish.  The instructor will discuss Swedish knitting traditions, and each student will head home with needles, yarn, and inspiration to continue knitting.

$80 ($70 ASI member) + $35 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Fiber
A pile of colorful wood sample swatches on a wooden surface. American Swedish Institute

Looking for a paint with a long history, natural ingredients, and a durable finish? Milk paint, a powdered paint made from milk protein, lime, and natural pigments, is a great choice.

This class will cover basic techniques for mixing, applying, and f inishing milk paint to achieve a desired look and feel, and will make sample tiles for future reference.

Suitable for ages 16+. $125 ($110 ASI Member) + $60 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Other Wood
Carved wooden spoon with feather design on handle. American Swedish Institute

Join Liesl to learn more about the very old but accessible craft of kolrosing, a wood embellishment technique likened to tattooing wood.

Students will have the opportunity to practice making their own marks with a kolrosing knife and get a feel for the many possibilities that kolrosing offers anyone interested in woodworking, drawing, and traditional Scandinavian crafts.

Suitable for students ages 13+. $70 ($60 ASI member) + $15 materials fee payable to instuctor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Wood
pink zippered pouch adorned with celestial embroidery, surrounded by various crafting supplies like yarn and scissors. American Swedish Institute

Add color and texture to clothing in this daylong wool embroidery class.

Students will work in Dala-Floda style (påsöm), pulling inspiration directly from folk costumes in ASI’s collections to add folk art-inspired decoration to their own textiles.

Suitable for ages 11+. $115 ($100 ASI member) + $30 materials fee payable to instructor.

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Fiber
Hand holding a lace cuff. American Swedish Institute

Knit lace like a Victorian Swede! Working with silk yarn in a lace construction, knitters will create unique ruffled cuffs to adorn an existing garment or craft a bracelet.

Knitwear designer Wendy Johnson will also discuss the history of garment design in Sweden during the Victorian era, as well as the history of silk mills in Sweden.

Suitable for ages 16+ $75 ($65 ASI member) + $30 materials fee payable to instructor

Minneapolis,
MN
Workshops + Courses
Fiber