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 2026
August
September
October
Ongoing
Wednesday-Sunday August 5-9, 2026
10am-4pm EDT
(Studio access for independent loom warping Tuesday, August 4, 9a-5p)
Location: Folk School Fiber Studio
Skyline Commons Room 105 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock, MI
Instructor: Lisa Wiitala
Class fee: $300
Materials fee: $50 paid by cash or check at first class
Registration is now closed
Registration closes July 20 or when sold out
Learn how to weave a Finnish ryijy rug! With their plush, textured surface made from tufts of yarn, they’re as enjoyable to touch as they are to view. Students will use the traditional loom-woven method to create an approximately 12” square sample of their own design for use as a wall hanging. Topics covered will include design patterns, preparation of materials, color blending, knotting methods, edge treatment and finishing techniques. Yarns will be provided with the materials fee. Please bring scissors and reading glasses if you use them.
This class is open to adult students who can independently warp a floor loom before the class begins. The looms used during the ryijy workshop will be made available to registered students on the day before the workshop so that you may wind your warp and dress your loom. All students should be ready to begin weaving on Wednesday morning. Please contact us with questions about preparing for this workshop.
The ryijy goes back centuries. First used as sleeping covers by Vikings and sailors, the earliest were made from plain, undyed wool. Later, they entered homes as bed covers and rugs, often woven to commemorate weddings. As wool became more widely available, they grew in popularity. By the 1900s, rigid design patterns were replaced by more abstract designs as well as a greater variety of yarns, turning them into textile art most often used as wall hangings today.
Saturday August 15 + Sunday August 16, 2026
10am-4pm Saturday, 10am-1pm Sunday
Instructor: Anne Karjala-Dobbins
Class fee: $100
Materials fee: $0 if you bring your own yarn or $40 to use yarn provided by FAFS. Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org with questions about yarns.
SOLD OUT
To be added to the waiting list, contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722
Registration closes August 3 or when sold out
Learn to warp and weave on a rigid heddle loom and create your very own handwoven scarf. Rigid heddle looms are lightweight beginner-friendly table top looms. In addition to learning how to set up and use the loom, students will explore some basic color theory as they design their scarf.
Folk School rigid heddle looms will be available for use during the workshop. Students may opt to bring their own worsted weight yarn or to purchase yarn from the Folk School for an additional $40 materials fee. No weaving experience of any kind is required for this workshop. The weaving process involves the use of two arms and sitting at a table to operate the loom. The warping process has some physical demands, but an assistant can be present with advanced notice. Please let us know if you have questions or assistance needs.
Mondays August 10, 17, 24 2026
5-8pm
Location: Folk School Fiber Studio
Skyline Commons Room 105 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock, MI
Instructor: Phyllis Fredendall
Class fee: $60
Optional pick up project fee: $40 (paid directly to instructor)
SOLD OUT
To be added to the waiting list, contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722
Design and weave a colorful strap using an inkle loom. Class one includes design work, loom dressing and how to weave. In the second class students will take their bands off the loom and finish them for the end use: belt, hat band, bag strap, garment trim or even an instrument strap with prearranged fittings. Looms are available for use at home with a refundable deposit of $150 (please bring a check to first class). No experience necessary. Open to students ages 18 and up.
Weavers interested in learning a more complex structure may opt to sign up for a third session to learn the pick-up technique to weave words and patterns. This pick-up technique will be introduced at the end of the 2nd session on August 17.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
12-2pm Eastern Time US (please check your local time zone!)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Zingerman’s BAKE!
Class fee: $60
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 5 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
This workshop is part of our online series exploring our Finno-Ugric cultural connections as we close out 2026, Hancock’s year as the Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital. Other workshops in this series include Estonian Roosimine Knitting and Finnish Language.
In the late 1800s, at the height of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Budapest, Hungary’s capital city, enjoyed a coffee-house culture of delicious fancy tortes and great coffee. Philosophers, artists, musicians, and politicians gathered in coffeehouses throughout the city to share ideas and camaraderie while eating cake! In this hands-on class, we’ll teach you to make one of Hungary’s classic coffee-house tortes.
Together, we’ll make Esterházy Torta, an elegant dessert that could end up being your hallmark. It’s made up of thin, soft layers of toasted walnut cake, filled with luscious vanilla and toasted walnut pastry cream, and topped with a distinctive design resembling the traditional French Napoleon pastry. The torta is a classic sold at all traditional Hungarian bakeries and coffeehouses. Join us for some time-honored Hungarian flavor!
You’ll leave the BAKE! class with our recipes, the knowledge to recreate them at home, and the Esterházy Torta you made in class.
For information about what to expect in an online baking workshop and how to prepare, please visit https://www.bakewithzing.com/virtual-classes. You’ll need a stand mixer with a whip attachment.
For some background on Zingerman’s passion for Hungarian food, head to their blog and read: “Why We’re Hooked on Hungarian Baked Goods: The Tenth Anniversary of a Bakehouse Specialty.”
Saturday, September 19, 2026
9am-5pm ET (with 1 hour lunch break)
Location: Folk School Wood Shop
Skyline Commons Room 102 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock, MI
Instructor: Karen Tembreull
Class fee: $95
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Materials fee: $115 paid directly to instructor
Registration closes September 9 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Students will learn to weave a bias rectangular shaped basket with taller ends and straight bias rimming. There will be an option to play with the birch to make curl designs. The driftwood handle will be sized to fit the basket and copper nugget washers and brass screws will hold the handle in place. This sweet little basket could be used as a small sauna caddy or a Keweenaw berry basket that holds about a quart. Finished dimensions are 7” long, 4.5” wide, and 4.75” tall.
Materials are all gathered and prepared by the instructor, including birch bark, driftwood hand. Fun fact: each basket requires a premium sheet of bark that is 20×22 inches! Please plan to pay the materials fee directly to the instructor by cash or check on the day of class. Online registration covers the cost of tuition only.
The instructor will provide most tools for use, but if you have any of your own that you wish to bring please do: scissors, old towel, flat pasketry packer, pocket knife, and micro clips (copper without teeth preferred).
This class is open to adult students of all levels, no previous experience required.
8 weeks: Sundays September 20 through November 8, 2026
12-1:30pm ET (please check your local time zone)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 14 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults. The duration of the course is eight weeks. The course is suitable for ages 15 and older with basic computer skills. There is no need for previous knowledge or skills in the Finnish language for this class.
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the 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!
Welcome to learn the basics of Finnish with the Language Clubhouse program in a fun, interactive and engaging online learning environment with us!
8 weeks: Mondays, September 21 – November 9, 2026
8:30-10am ET (please check your local time zone)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 14 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults. The duration of the course is eight weeks. The course is suitable for ages 15 and older with basic computer skills. There is no need for previous knowledge or skills in the Finnish language for this class.
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the 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!
Welcome to learn the basics of Finnish with the Language Clubhouse program in a fun, interactive and engaging online learning environment with us!
8 weeks: Sundays September 20 – November 8, 2026
1:35-3:05pm ET (please check your local timezone)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 14 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults. The duration of the course is eight weeks. This class is suitable for those who have completed the part 1 beginners course, have taken any other beginner course or have very basic Finnish language skills.
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the A0-A1 Level 1 Part 2 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:
• Use common Finnish verbs in different contexts with increased confidence.
• Form and recognize plural endings in everyday speech and writing.
• Handle practical situations such as asking about prices and making purchases.
• Describe people’s appearance and characteristics using basic adjectives and sentence structures.
• Understand and use compound words correctly.
• Use location expressions to describe places and directions.
• Expand their vocabulary related to working life.
• Communicate effectively in travel-related situations, such as asking for directions or ordering food at a restaurant.
• Gain further insight into Finnish culture and society.
Topics covered: Verbs Part 2, plural forms, asking about prices, describing people’s appearance, compound words, location expressions, working life vocabulary, travel vocabulary, restaurant interactions, and practical daily conversations.
Welcome to learn the basics of Finnish with the Language Clubhouse program in a fun, interactive and engaging online learning environment with us!
8 weeks: Mondays September 21-November 9, 2026
10:05-11:35am ET (please check your local time zone)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Laura Kurkinen of Language Clubhouse
Class fee: 150 € (approximately $175)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 14 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
Language Clubhouse and Finnish American Folk School in joint partnership are offering a Basics of Finnish online course for adults. The duration of the course is eight weeks. This class is suitable for those who have completed the part 1 beginners course, have taken any other beginner course or have very basic Finnish language skills.
Welcome to our Beginner Finnish Course! This course is the A0-A1 Level 1 Part 2 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:
• Use common Finnish verbs in different contexts with increased confidence.
• Form and recognize plural endings in everyday speech and writing.
• Handle practical situations such as asking about prices and making purchases.
• Describe people’s appearance and characteristics using basic adjectives and sentence structures.
• Understand and use compound words correctly.
• Use location expressions to describe places and directions.
• Expand their vocabulary related to working life.
• Communicate effectively in travel-related situations, such as asking for directions or ordering food at a restaurant.
• Gain further insight into Finnish culture and society.
Topics covered: Verbs Part 2, plural forms, asking about prices, describing people’s appearance, compound words, location expressions, working life vocabulary, travel vocabulary, restaurant interactions, and practical daily conversations.
Welcome to learn the basics of Finnish with the Language Clubhouse program in a fun, interactive and engaging online learning environment with us!
Saturday, October 3, 2026
12-2pm Eastern Time US (please check your local time zone!)
Location: ONLINE via Zoom
Instructor: Aleks Byrd
Class fee: $60
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes September 23 or when sold out
Questions? Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org
This workshop is part of our online series exploring our Finno-Ugric cultural connections as we close out 2026, Hancock’s year as the Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital. Other workshops in this series include Estonian Roosimine Knitting and Finnish Language.
Roosimine is an Estonian inlay technique that creates the appearance of embroidery through intentional floats in contrasting yarn on the right side of your knitting. It’s the perfect technique to add some embellishment to your knitting that is easier than intarsia. The name Roosimine translates to “decorating with roses”, which comes from a style of short stitch embroidery done on the Estonian island of Muhu. Students will knit a small swatch in the round.
SKILL LEVEL: advanced beginner / intermediate knitter; students should be comfortable to knit and purl in the round, cast-on, bind -off
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- US 6 / 4mm needles for knitting small circumference (Double pointed needles or circular needles for magic loop)
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry / darning needle
- DK-weight yarn (preferably nothing slippery—think yarn you would use for colourwork) in the following approx. amounts:
– MC (main colour) 20g
– CC1 (contrast colour 1) 10g
– CC2 (contrast colour 2) 10g
Make sure all yarn is easy to pull from both ends of the ball (for working with two strands at a time)
Aleks Byrd is a knitwear designer and illustrator. When it comes to designing and illustrating knitwear, Aleks Byrd loves to work with many different strands. With a heritage tied to three countries – USA, Estonia and Canada – she has plenty of ideas and inspiration running through her, but tends to play with her Estonian roots in particular, weaving it into new patterns in order to produce modern and unique designs with a connection to the past. As a knitting ambassador for modern traditional Estonian knitting, Aleks has shared her knowledge of the little-known traditional techniques by putting a fresh twist on them for wearable designs. She also teaches these methods in her popular workshops. It’s her design background in illustration coupled with her unique ideas and love of colour that shine through in her collection of designs that are fun and rewarding to knit for all levels of knitters. She is proudly based in Tallinn, Estonia.
Summer meetings on demand. Email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org to be added to the carving mailing list.
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: As of January 2026 the Open Studio schedule is Tuesdays 11am-3pm, Wednesdays 5-9pm, Thursdays 10am-1pm. This is subject to change based on studio monitor availability.
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 meetings: Summer meetings as needed. Contact us for information: copper.country.singalong@gmail.com
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.
Activities supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts
The Finnish American Folk School is a proud member of the Folk Education Association of America