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
September
October
Ongoing
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish language conversation online course for adults. This is for students who have already taken an introductory Finnish course. You are welcome to join if you have attended our beginners course part 1, or have acquired basic Finnish language skills.
8 Mondays: September 8-October 27
10a-11am ET (please check your local time zone)
Instructor Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Location: ONLINE. Once you register, you will receive credentials to log in to the website and access your course materials and Zoom meeting link.
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 4 or when sold out
Questions? Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Welcome to our Interactive Finnish language conversation sessions designed to use your basic fundamentals of Finnish. The sessions will be engaging, involving group activities and plenty of speaking exercises. Participants will be grouped based on their levels and skills, with the instructor considering individual abilities and requirements. The main aim is to enjoy learning and speaking the language, master self-introductions, basic inquiries, and grasp essential language scenarios.
During the sessions, participants will:
- Handle daily situations and pose relevant questions.
- Comprehend basic expressions from slow, articulate speech.
- Briefly introduce themselves and share personal details, even if speaking slowly or with imperfect pronunciation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of numbers, the alphabet, the verb “to be,” and personal pronouns in their basic forms.
- Gain insights develop an understanding of Finnish culture and society.
- Learn and use basic travel vocabulary in different communication situations
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults.
8 Sundays: September 7-October 26th*
1-2:30pm ET
Instructor Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Location: ONLINE. Once you register, you will receive credentials to log in to the website and access your course materials and Zoom meeting link.
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SUNDAY SESSION
Registration closes September 4 or when sold out
*Please note that the end date has been corrected
Questions? Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the A0-A1 Level 1 Part 1 of the Language Clubhouse Finnish course for beginners. This course unit includes 8 lessons spread over 8 weeks. Online classes are conducted via Zoom, with each session lasting 1.5 hours.
Throughout the course, you will find language exercises on our platform to reinforce the lesson content, along with weekly homework assignments to submit. The teacher will provide personalized feedback every week to students who complete their assignments. Students may take their own learning path and choose to be as active as they like. We understand students have different agendas and learning goals, so please feel free to adjust your activity accordingly. We are here to help you succeed in your objectives.
Once you register, you will receive credentials to log in to the website and access your course materials and Zoom meeting link.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Handle daily situations and ask relevant questions.
- Understand basic expressions from slow, clear speech.
- Introduce themselves briefly and share personal information, even if speech is slow and pronunciation is not perfect.
- Display knowledge of numbers, the alphabet, the verb “to be,” and personal pronouns in their basic forms.
- Gain insight into Finnish culture and society.
- Topics covered: alphabet, self introductions, days of the week, numbers, colors, food words, partitive, genitive (I), adhesive (I have) Verb types 1-5 (practice verb types 1-3), weather, seasons, family, adjectives, working life vocabulary and much more!
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults.
8 Wednesdays: September 10-October 29
10-11:30am ET
Instructor Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Location: ONLINE. Once you register, you will receive credentials to log in to the website and access your course materials and Zoom meeting link.
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEDNESDAY SESSION
Registration closes September 4 or when sold out
Questions? Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the A0-A1 Level 1 Part 1 of the Language Clubhouse Finnish course for beginners. This course unit includes 8 lessons spread over 8 weeks. Online classes are conducted via Zoom, with each session lasting 1.5 hours.
Throughout the course, you will find language exercises on our platform to reinforce the lesson content, along with weekly homework assignments to submit. The teacher will provide personalized feedback every week to students who complete their assignments. Students may take their own learning path and choose to be as active as they like. We understand students have different agendas and learning goals, so please feel free to adjust your activity accordingly. We are here to help you succeed in your objectives.
Once you register, you will receive credentials to log in to the website and access your course materials and Zoom meeting link.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Handle daily situations and ask relevant questions.
- Understand basic expressions from slow, clear speech.
- Introduce themselves briefly and share personal information, even if speech is slow and pronunciation is not perfect.
- Display knowledge of numbers, the alphabet, the verb “to be,” and personal pronouns in their basic forms.
- Gain insight into Finnish culture and society.
- Topics covered: alphabet, self introductions, days of the week, numbers, colors, food words, partitive, genitive (I), adhesive (I have) Verb types 1-5 (practice verb types 1-3), weather, seasons, family, adjectives, working life vocabulary and much more!
2 sessions: Wednesdays September 17 (make) + September 24 (glaze)
10am-12pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 12 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Come make ceramic buttons for all your winter knitting, sewing and crochet projects. Participants will make buttons from start to finish. These buttons can be anything from traditional in shape and size, to birds and flowers. The first class will be making and the second class will be decorating and glazing. There will be underglaze colors, as well as a variety of glaze for folks to use, to make the finishing touches of their wonderful buttons. And there is no limit except time to the amount of buttons you can make, so come and make oodles of them! No previous experience working with clay is required, all are welcome.
3 sessions: Tuesday, September 23 (make), Thursday, September 25 (make), Tuesday September 30 (glaze)
6-8pm
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $60
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 19 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Join in on the fun of making an animal jar out of clay! There will be two days making and one day glazing your creations. Participants will learn how to make jars using a variety of handbuilding techniques, such as pinching and rolling slabs. Bringing a picture of your favorite furry or scaly animal to use as a reference is highly encouraged. No previous experience working with clay is required, all are welcome.
Friday, September 19, 2025
6-8pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 15 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, September 20, 2025
10am-12pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 15 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
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.
Saturday, September 27, 2025
10am-12pm
Instructor: Paige Lewandowski
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $25
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 22 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Kids in grades 2 through 6 are invited to join us for a Kids Day with Clay. Participants will learn the basics of hand-building with clay by creating their own pinch pot pet. They’ll explore shaping, decorating, and adding features to bring their clay animal to life. Pieces will be left to dry and later fired in the kiln, with pickup available after firing. Children must be accompanied by an adult guardian for the duration of class.
No prior clay experience is needed—just curiosity and creativity! Clay can get messy, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or bring an apron. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Kids should be prepared to work with their hands, follow simple instructions, and stay engaged for the full two-hour workshop.
4 sessions: Tuesdays September 30-October 21
5:30-8:30pm
Location: Finnish American Folk School Fiber Studio
Skyline Commons 105 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock
Instructor: Phyllis Fredendall
Class fee: $175
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 23 or when sold out
This class is an introduction to rag rug weaving for beginning weavers. Students will learn the basics of preparing a warp and dressing a floor loom as well as methods for preparing fabric for rag weaving and other techniques including the use of a temple during weaving. Yarn for the warp and all equipment will be provided. Students should bring garments or fabric yardage to be used as rag weft. No experience necessary. Open to students ages 18 and up.
Saturday, October 4
10am-12pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $25
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes October 1 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Come join in on the fun of making a not so spooky ceramic ghost. Participants will learn how to make ghosts using a variety of handbuilding techniques, such as pinching and rolling slabs. These are great for decoration and for tea light candles. No previous experience working with clay is required, all are welcome.
Sunday, October 5, 2025
10a-5pm ET
Instructor Karen Tembreull
Location: Folk School Fiber Studio (Skyline Commons Room 105)
Class fee: $80
Materials fee (includes prepped bark and detailed pattern): $75 paid directly to instructor
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Questions? Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoudation.org
Learn to weave a birch bark basket in the traditional Nordic bias woven technique. Bias weaving thin birch bark creates four layers which are strong, useful, flexible and repairable if ever needed. The basket will be a size to hold a typical beverage, a canning jar, or perhaps a vase that fits just right. Therefore, the finished piece is very functional. The material is teacher prepared and ready to weave, and each student will receive a detailed pattern for reference. Most tools will be provided for use. Open to adult students. No prior experience needed. Some manual dexterity is needed for weaving birch bark.
Students should bring:
Micro alligator clips (12) instructor recommends the copper ones without teeth
A sharp pocket knife (some available to share)
Scissors (some available to share)
An old towel (some available to share)
All other tools will be provided by instructor and available for shared use during class
Friday, October 17, 2025
6-8pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes October 15 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, October 18, 2025
10am-12pm ET
Instructor: Lindsey Heiden
Location: Folk School Ceramics Studio (Skyline Commons Room 103)
Class fee: $40 per couple
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes October 15 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
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.
Saturdays September 20, October 18, November 15, 2025
1-3pm
Location: Finnish American Folk School Wood Shop
Skyline Commons Room 102 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock
Questions? Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Wood carvers are invited to gather together to carve socially in our Folk School Wood Shop each month this fall. This is not a class and there will not be any formal instruction and no advanced registration is required. The goal is to bring carvers together to share ideas and inspiration. At this time there is no fee to participate. Carvers should bring their own tools and materials. Work benches with wedges will be available for use. Birch wood for carving is available this fall to participants with a donation to the school, while supplies last.
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. New members must participate in a studio orientation before beginning work.
Memberships are currently at maximum capacity. Please inquire with clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to be added to the waiting list.
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 meeting: Monday, September 8
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
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.