Our Scandinavian Weavers Study Group of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota is celebrating the “vibrant tradition” of our group of 30 years, and of Scandinavian weaving, in a new show at Norway House. There are 49 weavings(!) lining the Joan and Walter Mondale Galleri through April 6, 2025. In the center of the exhibit is a magnificent weaving in progress by Melba Granlund on a warp-weighted loom.
Each piece in the exhibit is accompanied by a QR code, which leads to information about the artist and the piece. All the descriptions are linked to this table, for those of you who can’t make it to Norway House: Artists and Description
Norway House
913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
January 31 – April 6, 2025
Free for members of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and Norway House; all others $5.
See the Norway House website for the building hours of operation.
Here’s the entrance to the show with my Scream rya, a piece which isn’t on temporary display, but a permanent part of the Norway House collection.
Here are photos from inside the gallery, taken by Hallow Maren Frid at Norway House.
I am involved in two fun events in the next couple of weeks. This Thursday, February 13, Norway House is sponsoring a special Valentines Day happy hour, “Pal-entine’s Day” in the Norway House Kaffebar. There will be a jazz band and BOGO drink specials. I thought that would be a perfect time to take my tapestry loom to the gallery and demonstrate. Peg Hansen will also be there demonstrating weaving on her small-scale warp-weighted loom. You could try your hand at weaving like a Viking! The Hygge Happy Hour runs from 4-8; Peg and I will be there from 5-8. Come and hear some jazz and see fabulous weavings.
I am teaching a mini-course at Norway House in connection with the exhibit on Friday, February 21, Nordic Adornment: Fuzzy Bands, Fringes, and Pompoms.
Spend a chilly winter afternoon with wool and color and steam to make fuzzy embellishments.
In Scandinavia, fringes from yarn were traditionally used to embellish the edges of mittens, of woven textiles like tablecloths or wall hangings, or pillows. Join Robbie LaFleur for some fringe-y fun and learn how to embellish your own projects. Students have the option of making a small pincushion with a dense wool pompom (and other embellishment, if desired!) You’ll be inspired to explore further with a slide presentation of traditional objects and samples to emulate. Knitters, weavers, and other fiber enthusiasts will learn techniques to add to their textile toolboxes. No experience required.
Come early and enjoy lunch at the Norway House Kaffebar.
Please note: Norway House does not offer refunds. Be sure you can attend at the date and time for which you registered.
Instructor Robbie LaFleur is one of the curators of the “Vibrant Traditions” textile show in the Joan and Walter Mondale Gallery at Norway House and is a founding member of the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. Her work is on view in the gallery.
Finally, here are two articles highlighting Vibrant Tradition: Scandinavian Weaving in the Midwest.”
“Vibrant Traditions on display at Norway House: A colorful tapestry of Nordic color.” Carstens Smith, The Norwegian American, January 25, 2025.
“Norway House’s Vibrant Traditions — a tapestry of time and place.” Sommer Wagen. The Minnesota Daily, February 5, 2025.