Skip to content

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

August 2025

Exhibit Opening: Why did the Finns come to Copper Country?

History of Paavo Nurmi & Book Signing Event – The Phantom Finn

Kivajat Dancers Performance & Michigan Heritage Award Ceremony

Finnish International Choir Concert: Songs and Stories of the Heart

Needle Felting Workshop

Nordic Birch Bark Star Workshop

Lastu Koriste – Wood Shaving Ornament Workshop

Introduction to Jouhikko Workshop – SOLD OUT

Finnish International Choir: Community Singalong

Raanu of Karjala (Krokbragd) Wool Runner

Ongoing

FAFS Ceramics Studio – Open Studio

FAFS Ceramics Membership

Copper Country Singalong

Knitting Lunch Hour

Exhibit Opening: Why did the Finns come to Copper Country?

Open during regular building hours, 8am-4:30pm beginning August 4
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Admission: Free, no registration required
Curated by Joanna Chopp, Archivist

This exhibit will focus on the timeline and reasons for Finnish immigration to the Copper Country and explore themes of family, occupation, recreation, and education, as well as social, political, and religious movements among Finnish immigrants and their descendants.

History of Paavo Nurmi & Book Signing Event – The Phantom Finn

Monday, August 4, 2025
4pm, book signing to follow
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Admission: Free, no registration required

Kivajat Dancers Performance & Michigan Heritage Award Ceremony

Monday, August 4, 2025
6:30pm
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Admission, Free, donations welcome

Enjoy a performance by Hancock’s Kivajat Finnish American Folk Dancers, a children’s folk dancing group that has been active in the Keweenaw for over 20 years. The group’s founder and leader, Kay Seppala, is a 2025 Michigan Heritage Awardee and a representative from the Michigan Traditional Arts Program will be on site to bestow the award during the event.

The Michigan Heritage Awards honor individuals who continue their family and community folk traditions with excellence through practice and teaching, or individuals who are recognized as outstanding community leaders in the maintenance, documentation, or presentation of traditional arts.

Finnish International Choir Concert: Songs and Stories of the Heart

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
7pm
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Admission: Suggested donation $20. Tickets available at the door.

The Finnish International Choir presents Songs & Stories of the Heart, a concert weaving together beloved Finnish and Finnish-American songs with personal reflections from choir members. More than just a musical performance, this special evening invites audiences into the lived experiences, memories, and cultural connections that make these songs meaningful. Join this vibrant global community of voices as they share the music that speaks to the heart across generations and borders.

Needle Felting Workshop

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10a-12p ET
Instructor: Phyllis Fredendall
Location: Folk School Fiber Studio (Skyline Commons Room 105)
Class fee: $20
Public registration opens Wednesday, July 16
Registration closes July 29 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org

Using colorful wool fleece and a barbed needle participants will create a small work of art for the wall or as a coaster or trivet (if everything has to have a function!).  There will be an option to wet felt your creation if time allows. Open to students ages 18 and up. 

Nordic Birch Bark Star Workshop

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10a-12p ET
Instructor: Karen Tembreull
Location: Folk School Flex Studio (Skyline Commons Room 104)
Class fee: $20
Public registration opens Wednesday, July 16
Registration closes July 29 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org

Learn to fold a traditional Nordic Birch Bark Star with flat pinwheel curls. Hand dexterity is needed. Open to students ages 18 and up. 

Lastu Koriste – Wood Shaving Ornament Workshop

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10a-12p ET
Instructor: Alice Margerum
Location: Folk School Wood Shop (Skyline Commons Room 102)
Class fee: $20
Public registration opens Wednesday, July 16
Registration closes July 29 or when sold out

Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org

Learn to make wood shaving ornaments (lastu koriste). The technique is similar to paper quilling. Students will learn how to control the wood shavings so they can be curled and glued into stable decorative ornaments. Students will build at least one ornament during the class and leave with enough shavings to make more at home. No experience necessary. Open to students ages 18 and up. Requires some hand dexterity. 

Introduction to Jouhikko Workshop

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10a-12p ET
Instructor: Clare Zuraw
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $20
SOLD OUT
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org

Learn about the Finnish bowed lyre, a drone instrument traditionally strung with horsehair strings. Of course no musical instrument can be mastered within a day, so this introduction will include an informative presentation and playing demonstration of the jouhikko and its Estonian relative the hiiu kannel. Then participants will have the opportunity to try the instrument themselves. Open to students ages 18 and up. 

Finnish International Choir: Community Singalong

Wednesday, August 6, 2025
6pm ET
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
Admission: Donations welcome, no registration required

The Finnish International Choir will join forces with several Copper Country-based groups and individuals to host this community singalong. Come by and take part in the tradition of music, one of our most prized pieces of Finnish and Finnish-American culture.

Raanu of Karjala (Krokbragd) Wool Runner

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.

FAFS Ceramics Studio – Open Studio

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: 

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: 

  1. Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to express interest and find out when the next studio orientation will happen. 
  2. Attend studio orientation. 
  3. Complete paperwork (liability waiver, studio guidelines doc).
  4. Schedule and pay for studio time.

FAFS Ceramics Studio – Monthly Membership

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: 

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: 

  1. Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to express interest. Members must be approved by the studio manager.
  2. Attend studio orientation. 
  3. Complete paperwork (liability waiver, studio guidelines doc).
  4. Schedule and pay for monthly membership.

Copper Country Singalong

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

Knitting Lunch Hour

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.