Travel to Norway with Vesterheim in 2010
For more than 30 years, Vesterheim has been providing exciting and educational tours to Norway. These tours offer unique opportunities based on the museum’s ties and relationships with the artists and institutions of Norway.
Tour guests have the opportunity to benefit from the insight and expertise of Vesterheim’s staff and Norwegian guides. Staff members spend countless hours researching new contacts and locations that will allow us to show you the “behind-the-scenes” areas and people of Norway.
Folk-Art Study Tour to Voss Rosemaling and Woodworking: Norwegian Traditions
Tour Leaders: Diane Weston and Woodworker Rebecca Hanna
June 5-21, 2010 ($3,995)
Join Vesterheim for this unique opportunity to learn from expert Norwegian artists in authentic cultural settings. Centered in the town of Voss, classes will be held in the traditional, quaint atmosphere of the Voss Folkehøgskule, the folk high school that has inspired generations of Norwegian artists. Learn new artistic techniques directly from experienced Norwegian instructors who have been traditionally trained in their crafts. There will be two four-day sessions for both rosemalers and woodworkers. The rosemaling instructor will be Johild Mæland and the woodworking instructor will be Torgeir Lirhus. There will be mini-tours after each session that will include visits to various museums, studios, and homes to see the best examples of Norwegian carving and painting. Enjoy a community of other folk artists working in the Norwegian tradition and be immersed in Norwegian culture. This tour will be facilitated by Diane Weston and Rebecca Hanna. Rebecca is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist in woodworking and has traveled to Norway several times. Diane is Vesterheim’s Education Specialist and has led many tours to Norway.
Norway’s Coastal Voyage,Vesterheim’s Way
Tour Guide: Pål Espolin Johnson
Tour Leaders: Michelle Whitehill and Kirsten Heine
August 8-20, 2010 ($5,995)
Vesterheim has put its special touch on the Hurtigruten’s classic Norwegian coastal voyage. You are guaranteed days and nights filled with majestic scenery of coastal Norway: awe-inspiring fjords, snow capped mountains, scenic skerries, and picturesque plains. The 34 ports of call, both historical and cosmopolitan, range from major cities to small fishing hamlets, and the stops vary from 45 minutes up to 6 hours. Be sure to pack your camera, binoculars, and sense of adventure for “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage.” With the help of your tour guide, Pål Espolin Johnson, every day of this incredible trip will be filled with one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore Norway and see breathtaking landscapes both on land and sea. Pål has followed the coastal steamer for 40 years, as deck hand, tour guide, writer, and photographer and he has kept in touch with the fleet and the people on board. His knowledge and respect for the beauty and history of his beloved Norway will make this an unforgettable travel experience.
Michelle Whitehill is Vesterheim’s coordinator of tours to Norway and had the experience of leading a Vesterheim Coastal Voyage Tour in 2008 and the Fjord Horse Tour in 2009. Kirsten Heine is Vesterheim’s Development Officer and has led many tours to Norway. For more information and to send in your registration contact Michelle Whitehill, Coordinator of Tours to Norway, 563-382-9681, ext. 240 or email mwhitehill@vesterheim.org.
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