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 2025-2026
December
January
Ongoing
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
5:30-6:30pm – Independence Day Program in FAHC Community Hall
6:30-7:30pm – Friends of Finland Youth Exhibit Reception in Art Gallery
Free and open to the public
Hancock will host its annual celebration of Finland’s independence, an occasion the Finnish-American community of the Copper Country has marked each year since 1918. Featuring performances by the Kivajat Dancers and the newly-formed Kuparikielet youth folk dance band, attendees will surely be uplifted to see such high levels of engagement in cultural preservation by today’s young people. Keeping with recent tradition, the program will also include the announcement of the 2026 Hankookin Heikki, the person honored for significant contributions to
the advancement of Finnish-American and Finnish culture in the area.
The program’s keynote speaker will be Upper Michigan TV personality Mandy Koskela, who has embraced her immersion into the Finnish-American culture of the U.P. since moving here in 2023. She’ll share her perspectives about her fondness for her roots and just how deep they go in this region.
Immediately following the Independence Day event, the Heritage Center will host an opening reception for its newest art exhibit, the Friends of Finland youth exhibit, which includes works from four high schools in and near the U.P., as well as individual submissions from students
outside the Midwest. Much of this work is inspired by Finnish modernist painter Helene Schjerfbeck, who is the first Finnish artist exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Chip carving practice board carved by adult beginner student
Friday, January 16, 2026
9am-5pm
Location: Folk School Wood Shop
Skyline Commons 102 @ 200 Michigan St. Hancock, MI
Instructor: Alice Margerum
Class fee: $90
Materials fee: $10 paid directly to the instructor
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes January 7 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722
In this class, students will learn chip carving skills while also making a project. Chip carving is a very old traditional method of decoration that usually involves making patterns of triangular knife cuts (chips) on the surface of wood objects. This sort of carving is found around the world and the instructor will share images of historic chip carving from different cultures.
This class will begin by covering safety, the basic types of cut, the differences between the “German” and “Alpine” style of carving, and will practice on specially-prepared wood practice carving boards. Following that introduction, we will work on the project – a 3” square carving on a basswood panel. Students will work from a selection of designs provided to suit different levels of carvers. The completed decorative panel can either be used as an ornament or attached to the top of a small wooden box, which will also be provided.
All tools will be provided for use during the class. Students should plan to use only the class tools during class, though if you have chip carving knives you are welcome to bring them for discussion. The instructor will offer advice on choosing a knife for chip carving and will have samples of other common carving knives that people may try. Students might want to bring a cut resistant glove to use for the hand that is not holding the knife. Bring your glasses if you use them.
No experience is necessary, but some dexterity is required. Some experience with handcrafts is useful. Even people who use a pencil often will have an advantage. Open to ages 18 and older.
Examples of chip carving in the National Museum of Finland
2 sessions: Tuesdays, January 13 + 20, 2026
3rd session only for students opting to weave a second band using pick up techniques: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
5:30-8:30pm
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)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes January 7 or when sold out
Questions? 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. Experienced 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 January 20. Looms are available for use at home with a refundable deposit of $150 (please bring a check to first class). No experience necessary.
6 sessions: Wednesdays, January 7 – February 10, 2026
5:30-7pm
Location: Finnish American Heritage Center
437 Quincy St. Hancock, MI
Instructor: Randy Karpinen
Class fee: $90
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration closes January 5 or when sold out
Questions? Contact clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org or 906-370-3722
This in-person Finnish language course is designed for beginners and those who are returning to learning Finnish and seeking a refresher. The curriculum will focus on learning the basics of written and spoken Finnish by beginning with pronunciation, acquisition of vocabulary, and exploration of grammar, with the goal of empowering the learners with a solid base from which to further enhance their language skills.
For the class the instructor asks that students purchase Beginner’s Finnish with Online Audio by Agi Risko, which is available in person or online at North Wind Books in Hancock.
This class is open to students ages 18 and up. No prior experience in Finnish is required, only an attitude and desire to explore one’s aptitude for language learning. Bring a notebook or digital device to take notes. If you’ve already been using learning materials, please bring those with you in addition to the textbook listed above.
Next meeting: Saturday, December 13, 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 11am-3pm, Wednesdays 5-9pm, Thursdays 10am-1pm, Saturdays 12-4pm. This is subject to change based on studio monitor availability. Open Studio will take a holiday hiatus 12/20-1/4.
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: 2026 dates coming soon
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.