Finnish American Folk School
The Finnish American Folk School (FAFS) was founded in 2017 to promote Finnish folk arts and traditional skills and ensure that they thrive for generations to come. The Folk School is based in the Skyline Commons building and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan. We welcome workshop requests or proposals. Scholarships or assistantships are available. Please contact FAFS director Clare Zuraw with all questions, suggestions, or scholarship requests: clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722.
Upcoming Programs 2025
If you feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 before a class or other event, please stay at home and contact us to arrange a refund. If the FAFS must cancel an event, registrants will be notified, and refunds will be issued. Thank you for helping us to continue offering programs as safely as possible.
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
Ongoing
Saturday, June 14, 2025
10:30am-1:30pm
North Wind Books
No registration required
Every year on the second Saturday in June, World Wide Knit in Public Day encourages knitters to come together and enjoy one another’s company. It’s also a day for experienced knitters to teach others how to knit.
Join the Finnish American Folk School Knitting Circle as they debut North Wind Books’ new venue. A redesigned space, and the addition of yarn, which complements the great assortment of knitting and Nordic craft books. We welcome all visitors to knit in public from 10:30-1:30 on Saturday, June 14th. The space will be available for knitters to meet up on Saturday’s throughout the year.
Saturday, June 21, 10:30-11:30am
Location: North Wind Books (outdoors if weather permits)
No registration required
Join a group of animal friends who come together on the Solstice to celebrate the wonder of summer! Author Kelsey Gross brings her book Summer: A Solstice Story to North Wind Books as we celebrate midsummer with storytelling, songs, and crafts for kids and their families.
After story time, make yourself a flower crown and head over to Quincy Green for the Midsummer pole raising ceremony followed by family friendly events in the Finnish American Heritage Center.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
12pm-2pm
Finnish American Heritage Center
No registration required
Find the schedule of other festival events here
Paper Window Star Making (FAHC Hall, 12-2pm)
Learn to make folded paper window stars with basketry artist and Folk School instructor Karen Tembreull. No experience necessary, kid-friendly activity.
Stitching Circle (FAHC Gallery, 12-2pm)
Bring your knitting, crochet, or other needlework and join us to sit and stitch.
Weaving Demonstrations (FAHC Gallery, 12-2pm)
Learn about handweaving and give it a try yourself!
Carving Demonstrations (outside FAHC, 12-2pm)
See green wood carving demonstrations by Alex Yerks and friends.
Heritage Finn Table (FAHC Hall, 12-2pm)
Stop by and share your memories of growing up with Finnish, either as a speaker or hearing others speak. Share phrases, words for food, places, sports or crafts, holidays, music, fishing, travel—whatever you like. Shared memories bring back more memories. Pictures, cards, maps, crayons and magazines available to help you remember those long-gone days. Learn new words, or remember what you heard or learned from Finnish speakers. This activity will be led by Dr. Marlene Broemer, a university English professor who has studied Finnish in Finland.
Copper Country Singalong (FAHC Upper Lobby, following outdoor pole raising ceremony)
Join singers from the Finnish American Folk School’s singalong group to sing or simply listen and enjoy local singers sharing Finnish folk songs. No singing or Finnish language experience necessary. Led by Oren Tikkanen and Alice Margerum.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Dance Lessons: 5-6pm
Instructors: Hannu Leppanen & Phyllis Fredendall
Dance: 6-8:30pm
Music by the Backroom Boys
No registration required
Donations welcome: come as you are, pay what you can
Put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the longest day of the year! If you’re new to social dance, join us from 5-6pm for an introductory dance lesson with Hannu Leppanen and Phyllis Fredendall. Then stick around for an evening of dance with live music provided by the Backroom Boys. No experience necessary, all ages welcome.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, June 25-27th, 2025
10:30am-12pm ET
Instructor: Becky Luoma of Language Clubhouse
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Class fee: $45 per child
Registration now closed
Registration closes June 22 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Join us for an enjoyable journey exploring the Finnish language across various activities, tailored for learners of all skill levels, ages 5-10. Each day, we will discover Finnish words and expressions relevant to your daily life. With a new theme daily, we will delve into it through music, games, and art. Additionally, each session will include a traditional Finnish game for everyone to participate in. Remember to bring your water bottle and wear comfy attire for our interactive sessions. Caregivers must attend with their children.
Friday, July 11, 2025
6-8pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
Registration now closed
Registration closes July 9 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
For those who want to go out on a Friday night and have some fun this night is for you. A twist on what a date night can be. Bring a date and work on a pottery wheel together to make a mug, cup or bowl. Your date can be anyone, a spouse, partner, friend, family. Folks will be able to pick out a glaze color and the work will be glazed and fired for them. Though you certainly can just come for the fun and not the finished piece. For the couples that think wheel throwing is not for them, hand building is an option. Date night clothes are not recommended. Everyone should wear clothes that they do not mind getting a little dirty. Though couples will be working with clay maybe for the first time, this night is about having fun and not necessarily learning or becoming proficient in working with clay. There will be some guidance from the instructor.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
10am-12pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
SOLD OUT – email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to join the waiting list
Registration closes July 9 or when sold out
For those who want to play with clay on a Saturday morning with a friend, partner, or child aged 8 and up. A twist on what a brunch date can be. Bring a date and work on a pottery wheel together to make a mug, cup or bowl. Your date can be anyone, a spouse, partner, friend, family. Folks will be able to pick out a glaze color and the work will be glazed and fired for them. Though you certainly can just come for the fun and not the finished piece. For the folks who think wheel throwing is not for them, hand building is an option. Everyone should wear clothes that they do not mind getting a little dirty. This event is about having fun and not necessarily learning or becoming proficient in working with clay. There will be some guidance from the instructor.
Wednesday-Sunday, August 20-24, 2025
10a-4p ET
Instructor: Wynne Mattila
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $350
Handout fee: $15
Materials: students purchase warp & weft independently, details provided after registration or upon request
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes July 26 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Krokbragd is a traditional Norwegian design translated as “crooked path.” In Finland, it is known as Raanu of Karjala. It is a boundweave, meaning a plain weave shot—used once in every three shots—ties the pattern yarns together for stability and contributes to the thickness of the rug. Krokbragd is a weft-faced weave that relies on color rotation and contrast to develop a pattern. It is threaded on three shafts. In this workshop, Wynne introduces participants to Krokbragd’s design possibilities and emphasizes good techniques to use in rug weaving. Wynne weaves her Krokbragd rugs with wool rug yarn on 8/5 wet spun linen warp sett at 5 epi in a 10 dent reed. The planned project is a runner 14 inches wide by 30 inches long. Handouts include information, illustrations, inspiration, weft options and end finishes for weaving Krokbragd rugs, as well as sources for linen warp and wool rug yarn. Participants provide their own wool rug yarn for weft and their own warp. One and one-half pounds of yarn will be used in the runner. Wool yarn may be purchased from the Folk School or ordered from sources in the handout.
Floor looms need to be warped to the point the reed has been sleyed and the heddles have been threaded before the start of the workshop. Registrants will be invited to a pre-class info session via Zoom that will be scheduled a few weeks before the class begins to allow everyone to prepare materials and begin thinking about design choices.
Skill level: Ability to wind a warp, read a draft, and warp a floor loom independently. Looms will be available for warping during the two days prior to the workshop, August 18-19.
Participants should bring to class:
Wool Rug Yarn for Weft: need 1/2 pound (8 ounces) per square foot. Total of approximately 1 and 1/2 pounds rug yarn needed for a 14 inch wide by 30 inch long project, 3 colors minimum, more preferred for design possibilities.
Handout
Temple (if you already own one) able to accommodate the width of the project—metal temple preferred *
Scrap knit fabric for the header—an old cotton t-shirt will work
Scrap wool rug yarn for the header
Stick shuttles (approx. 21” long), 1 or 2 per yarn color, depending on the design *
Needle nose pliers
Tapestry needle (large) 7cm., #13
Needle threader able to accommodate the thickness of wool yarn
8/5 Linen warp remaining on the spool
Calculator
Tape measure
Scissors
Graph paper and colored pencils
* The Folk School has some
Biography:
Wynne Mattila wove her first rug in 1985 at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and before it was finished, she knew she was a rug weaver for life. Wynne’s goal is always to use color to its full potential to create a beautiful rug. The great granddaughter of a Finnish Sami reindeer herdsman, many of her designs are influenced by place and the natural environment, and she works to create rugs which embody this beauty and spirit. Wynne grew up in the Copper Country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She has been teaching rug weaving for more than 25 years, focusing on good weaving techniques and the creative use of color.
Two of her wool rugs, a Krokbragd and a Raanu, are in the 2013 eBook “Best of Handwoven: Top Ten Rugs on Four Shafts.” She wove a Raanu Rug, now the family heirloom, for a man born in Finland who left at an early age. Wynne said, “It was a joyous piece to weave and I’m honored that one of my pieces is the beginning of their inheritance.” In 2023 Wynne wove her first Krokbragd rug using cotton fabric strips. It won first place in the Fine Arts Exhibit’s Textiles/Fiber category at the Minnesota State Fair. Three of her Krokbragd rugs are pictured in Angie Parker’s recent book, Krokbragd – Contemporary Weaving with Color.
WHO: Potters who have taken at least one FAFS ceramics class and are interested in accessing the studio for independent work. Open to ages 18+.
Before attending, open studio participants must complete a studio orientation with studio manager Lindsey Heiden. After making work, open studio potters will glaze their work as part of a guided glazing session led by studio manager and scheduled as needed. This guided glazing is aimed at protecting kiln equipment and everyone’s work.
WHAT: Scheduled times when community members can use the studio outside of classes. Open Studio benefits:
- Access to shared community work space
- Access to studio tools and materials
WHEN: The current Open Studio schedule is Tuesdays 9am-1pm, Wednesdays 5-9pm, Saturdays 12-4pm. This is subject to change based on studio monitor availability.
Open Studio access will begin Friday, February 7 when Lindsey Heiden will host the first studio orientation 5-6pm on February 7. As interest develops we will schedule additional orientation times.
COST: $10 per 4 hour session plus $3/lb for clay. In addition to use of the studio, this cost includes the cost of glaze and firing. Payment and registration in advance is required for the session fee. Clay payments can be made as needed while working in the studio.
All potters working in the the FAFS Ceramics Studio must use the clay and glaze provided. Outside clay and glazes are not permitted. Firing arrangements will be coordinated with Lindsey Heiden, studio manager, who is the only person permitted to use the kilns. All members must sign a waiver and participant agreement before beginning work. All questions should be directed to Clare Zuraw clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org 906-370-3722.
Steps for Signing up for Open Studio:
- Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to express interest and find out when the next studio orientation will happen.
- Attend studio orientation.
- Complete paperwork (liability waiver, studio guidelines doc).
- Schedule and pay for studio time.
WHO: Experienced potters who can work independently. Open to ages 18+.
WHAT: A limited number of monthly memberships are available to experienced potters seeking regular access to the studio. Members benefits:
- Reserved semi-private studio space with table and shelving
- Access to studio tools and materials
- Discounted price on clay/glazes/firing
- Extended access hours to the studio
- Early registration access to upcoming clay classes
WHEN: Members can access the studio Monday through Saturday, 9am-9pm.
Memberships are available starting March 1, 2025. New members must participate in a studio orientation before beginning work.
COST: $100 per month plus $2/lb for clay. In addition to use of the studio, this cost includes the cost of glaze and firing. Monthly payment must be received before the 1st of the month.
All potters working in the the FAFS Ceramics Studio must use the clay and glaze provided. Outside clay and glazes are not permitted. Firing arrangements will be coordinated with Lindsey Heiden, studio manager, who is the only person permitted to use the kilns. All members must sign a waiver and participant agreement before beginning work. All questions should be directed to Clare Zuraw clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org 906-370-3722.
Steps for Signing up for Membership:
- Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to express interest. Members must be approved by the studio manager.
- Attend studio orientation.
- Complete paperwork (liability waiver, studio guidelines doc).
- Schedule and pay for monthly membership.
Next meetings: Mondays April 7, April 28, May 19, June 2
5:15-6:15pm ET
Finnish American Heritage Center
No cost to participate
RSVP required by email: copper.country.singalong@gmail.com
Oren Tikkanen and Alice Margerum have a vision for re-seeding old songs in the community, one singalong at a time. Join them to learn or re-learn songs and sing as a community. The group will begin by singing songs in Finnish (with English translations when available). Each meeting the group will focus on a new song, eventually building a shared repertoire we can sing together. The organizers will share song lyrics and audio with participants digitally before each gathering. No formal music or language training is necessary to participate. Please do not bring instruments for this gathering as we will be focused on learning words and melodies from recordings and each other. Initially this group is open to singers ages 13 and up. Questions? Email copper.country.singalong@gmail.com or call the FAFS at 906-370-3722
Tuesdays 12pm-1pm
*NOTE: During the month of July we’ll be knitting together at North Wind Books*
Fiber Studio Room 105
Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org for more information
Do you like to knit? Need feedback on your yarn choices? Want to learn new knitting tips and tricks socially from other knitters while on your lunch break? Join Finnish American Folk School director Clare Zuraw for a weekly knitting circle in our fiber studio. This is not a workshop! We’ll knit together, and Clare will be available for some light feedback during the hour, but there’s no lesson plan. Registration isn’t required – just show up with your knitting, a lunch, and maybe a friend. There’s no fee to participate, though if you find this to be an enriching experience donations the Folk School are always appreciated.
The Finnish American Folk School is a proud member of the Folk Education Association of America.