Dear Norwegian Textile Letter readers, 

The November issue of the newsletter is well underway, but if I waited to post these “Nordic News & Notes” items, you would definitely miss out on some tempting  textiles in the Vesterheim annual Benefit Auction. There is also still time to catch a fun “Collections Connection” talk online this week, (but if you miss that talk, it will be available in the future on the Vesterheim Youtube channel).

Thanks for your ongoing interest in and support of the Norwegian Textile Letter.  Robbie LaFleur 

Collections Connection: “Inside Handwoven Dresses” with Carol Colburn 

Recommended online talk–this week!  Share your lunch break with clothing designer, artisan, and historian Carol Colburn as she examines dresses made from handwoven fabric. She will highlight objects from the Vesterheim collection, including several garments dating from the 1860s. This event is open to both practicing fiber artists and folk-art enthusiasts alike.

Collection Connections is a series of Vesterheim-hosted conversations featuring beloved folk-art school instructors. Spotlighting the incredible collection of folk art at Vesterheim, these conversations are opportunities for you to stay connected with your folk-art community. Each event will highlight a piece or several from the museum’s collection as explained, interpreted, and appreciated by a master folk artist.

Level of Instruction: All are welcome.
Tuition: $0.00 Members $0.00 Non-members
CLICK HERE to register for this event through Zoom.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Benefit Auction

Vesterheim’s annual Benefit Auction opened on October 11, 2021. Check out the pieces at www.biddingforgood.com/VEST-AUCTION, register an account, and start bidding from anywhere in the world. The auction features  several textiles, including weavings in monks belt, a rep weave rug by Kelly Marshall, a knitted handbag, a woven stole in krokbragd and rya, Norwegian sweaters, and more–even a whole Hallingdal bunad (Norwegian costume). There are two tapestries, an exquisite feather by Gold Medalist Judy Ness and a wonderful dragon from the estate of Lila Nelson (pictured). Bid soon!

Vesterheim Exhibit Virtual Tour 

The current exhibit at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Socially Distanced, Creatively Connected: A Special Juried Folk Art Exhibition Highlighting Pandemic Creativity, was featured in the last issue of the Norwegian Textile Letter. (Textiles in the show were highlighted.) As a wonderful review for those of you who saw it, or as a preview for those who might get there before the end of this year, the museum created a virtual gallery tour.  It’s an interesting short film. Rather than straight documentation, piece by piece, the camera pans around the room, focusing in on exquisite details. 

Scandinavian Textile Videos for Students–and Everyone Else

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum staff worked with the Iowa Council for the Arts on a professional development project for folk artists this summer, “Folk Art in the Classroom.” Successful grant applicants participated in online workshops to learn best practices in teaching online, and then created either history or how-to videos that could be used in Iowa schools to help students learn about various folk crafts. Several of the artists worked in textiles. Learn finger weaving with Laura Demuth. Learn Hardangersøm with Shan Rayray. Learn about the iconic Wise and Foolish Virgins image in Norwegian tapestry with Robbie LaFleur. See the full list. 

Video: Arne and Carlos Visit Setesdal

The well-known Norwegian knitters Arne & Carlos featured textiles in Setesdal on their Youtube channel during September. All of their interviews in the “Norwegian Craft Traditions – A Guide to Setesdal” series were both charming and in-depth.

Annemor Sundbø was featured on September 5 and 19. Many Norwegian Textile Letter readers know her work well–as a knitting teacher, embroidery instructor, dyeing teacher, knitting historian, and wonderful lecturer. She has contributed to several issues of the NTL over the years: Norwegian Tapestry in the Post-War Years, Norwegian Tapestry: Historical Weaving Treasures and National Romantic Impulses, Nettles – For Clothing and Much More, Norway’s Recent “Knitting War” of Words, and A Rag Pile, My Lot in Life.

You won’t want to miss the episodes with Karin Bøe, who was featured on the 16th and 26th. Karin recently wrote Red is the Finest Color We Have: On Color in Coverlet Weaving in Setesdal around 1900 for the Norwegian Textile Letter. I also wrote about coverlets in Setesdal with Karin’s help for Selvedge Magazine. Read that article here. (Karin also posts the most gorgeous photos of nature in Setesdal on her Instagram site–I highly recommend it. boe_karin)

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