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Scandinavian Sampler Art Fair
The vendor committee has created a great Scandinavian Sampler Art Fair for your viewing and shopping pleasure. We have secured 12 exceptionally talented local and regional artists to display a wide variety of art media. There should be something for everyone to enjoy.
This event will be held in the Mott-Borlaug Rooms in Centennial Union on the Luther campus. At this time, it is planned that the vendors will have their booths open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on both Thursday and Friday, June 29 and 30, 2006.
The chairman of this committee is Mr. Larry Lubbert, a Luren member, a retired educator and a wood carver himself.
In order to give you a short preview and increase your interest in the art fair, we are going to preview each artist and when possible, show you some of their work. We also encourage you to visit the artists’ personal web sites to get a more complete picture of their talent and their end products.
The media we have in our show include:
Authors/publishers
Gold and silver jewelry
Kaleidoscopes/glass jewelry
Rosemaling
Chip Carving
Woodcarving
Hardanger
Fabric art
Doll Clothes designers
Nisse Rosemalers ( a variety of Norsk Arts)
Ehl-tide Santas
Photos and profiles of each artist are included below.
Author/Publisher --
Dan Bomkamp
403 Catherine
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739 3864
EMail: amerdad@Mwt.net
Dan is a Luren member with a knack for writing. He is the author of 5 books that are very popuar among kids and adults. The books are set in this part of the world and are suitable for all ages. They are enjoyed by readers of all ages.
The Adventures of Thunderfoot tells the stories of a 13 year old boy, Thunderfoot and his adult friend, the author and the fun and mischief the two experience in the outdoors. Thunderfoot is one of those kids who needs some adult companionship and the two characters find lots of fun things to do together. And of course, many of these schemes turns into a disaster, resulting in the author becoming the brunt of the joke. 
More Adventures of Thunderfoot is a continuation of the fun and mischief of the same two characters as the first book in the series. Coming in May 2006. Thanks Thunderfoot. This is the final book in the series and follows our two characters during their final year together.
The three Thunderfoot books, while written for adults have become very popular with young people also. From about 3rd graders on to Retirement Home age, people of all ages have enjoyed these stories of friendship and mischief. They will be available as individual books or in a boxed gift set of three.
The Gosey is a look at the fun and adventure that 4 thirteen year old boys can find during the summer that they become teenagers. Set in 1960, it follows Dewey, Chick, Dougie and the author as they find fun and excitement in things from something as simple as a refrigerator box to helping feed and exercise the elephants when the circus comes to town.
Voyageur is set in 1914 and follows three young friends who are spending the summer living in a cabin they've built on the Wisconsin river. Using their homemade boat, they get a chance to re-trace the explorations of Father Marquette and the Voyageurs, who were the first Europeans to see the river. Along the way the boys run into a situation that threatens their very lives.
The Gosey and Voyageur are suitable for everyone from middle school age to senior citizens and have been enjoyed by people from 8 to 80.
Author/Publisher - Deb Nelson Gurley
602 3rd Ave SW
Waukon, IA 52172-2113
(563) 568 6229
Fax: (563) 568 5377
EMail: gourleyd@stbek.net
Author and publisher, Deb Nelson Gourley¹s bilingual book Astri, My Astri: Norwegian Heritage Stories will be available for sale at Luren Sangerfest 2006. The book is a collection of 16 Norwegian heritage short stories published in both English and Norsk. Although based on her own 7/8 Norwegian ancestry, the stories touch anyone who has an interest in Norwegian heritage, culture, genealogy, or bilingual studies.
Inspiration for the author¹s 16 non-fiction stories were her twenty-seven Norwegian ancestors, who began emigrating as early as 1845 from various areas of Norway, and settled in part of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. 
Deb Nelson Gourley was raised on the family 150-year-old Norwegian ancestral farm in Amherst, near Canton, in southeastern Minnesota. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Minnesota and worked on staff for both the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin. Deb did her intern for her master¹s degree at the University of Oslo, Norway and has traveled extensively in Norway. 
Deb is currently publishing a new book that will be available at the Luren Sangerfest 2006. The 500-page hard cover book contains 32 full color pages and over 3,500 of the earliest immigrants in the Midwest: History of the Norwegian Settlements: A translated and expanded version of the 1908 De Norske Settlementers Historie and the 1930 Den Siste Folkevandring Sagastubber fra Nybyggerlivet i Amerika By Hjalmar Rued Holand Translated by Malcolm Rosholt and Helmer M. Blegen
For more information see: http://www.astrimyastri.com/generic97.html
Deb Nelson Gourley owns Astri My Astri Publishing, which is located in Waukon, Iowa. For more information visit http://www.astrimyastri.com.
Chip Carving --
Walter Grittner
1611 Pleasant St. Apt 210
Lauderdale, MN 55108-1334
(651) 645 9549
Chip carving is a style of wood carving that uses geometric shapes, in combination to produce intricate designs. The carving is done with only hand-held tools.
Chip carving originated in central Europe many years ago when peasants wanted to beautify 
such household items as churns, stools, chests, serving bowls and other wood items. The craft was introduced in Minnesota in the 1850¹s when immigrants from Germany andScandinavia arrived.
Mr Grittner is a lifelong resident of the St Paul area. He discovered chip 
carving over sixty years ago and is 
self-taught, having received no formal training in design, drafting, carving or wood finishing. His enjoyment of his hobby has been increased by the creation of new design patterns. So far, well over 750 original designs have been created and carved on wooden plates, boxes of various sizes and shapes, and other decorative items. Many of his pieces are one of-a-kind originals.
Mr Grittner has won a blue ribbon every year that his work has been entered in competition at the Minnesota Stat Fair. He has also received numerous ribbons and awards for his work in several Minnesota wood carving competitions and in nine other states.
The Minnesota State Arts Board has approved him as a Minnesota Folk Artist and one of his prize winning items has been donated to the Minnesota Historical Society for inclusion in their Folk Art Collection. His work is now in at least twelve foreign countries and in most of the 50 states.
Dolls /Clothes -- The Peapods
P.O. Box 166
Ossian, IA 52161
(563) 534 3079
E Mail: the peapods@ acegroup.cc
Web site: www.ossianhouse.com
The peapods design and sew doll clothing for all 18 inch dolls, such as the American Girl Doll. The most popular design is a Norwegian costume which consists of dress and red plaid vest. Accessories ( shoes, socks, and flower head wreaths) are also available. In addition to doll dresses, The peapods also make matching outfits for children in sizes 2 through 10 for both girls and boys.
Fabric Art --
Scandinavian Treasures by Sandy Sallberg &
Cheri Struve
517 Rosedale Rd
Spring Lake, MN 55432
(763) 784 5614
Sisters Cheri Struve and Sandy Sallberg were raised as second generation Swedish Americans in Minnesota. Approximately five Years ago an Aunt encouraged them to begin researching Scandinavian folklore, legends and traditions. Scandinavian Treasures was started out of love and pride for their Swedish heritage and with knowledge gained from their research, they created a line of crafts which includes:
Sewing: Doll clothes, Santa Lucia Dresses, table runners, aprons
Fabric Art: Pictures, Welcome greetings in all Scandinavian languages, table linens
Hardanger Embroidery --
Diane Hoven
760 Florence 
Baldwin, WI 54002
(715) 684-3137
Hardanger is a delicate form of open embroidery work. It originated in the Hardanger region of Norway hundreds of years ago and gradually spread to other parts of Europe and to the United States with Scandinavian immigrants. In the past few years, Hardanger Embroidery has begun to increase in popularity.
Diane was encouraged to do Hardanger Embroidery by an aunt. In 1982 she purchased books on the art and through hard work, mastered the art. She has received top ribbons at county fairs, the Sons of Norway District Convention competitions, and Sons of Norway International Convention Competitions.
Jewelry --
Darla Ellickson
3175 Middle Sattre Road
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382 2295
E Mail darla@LXN studio . com
Web Site: www.earloops.com
Darla creates contemporary hand-forged jewelry in sterling silver and 14 Karat gold. She is the creator of Earloops , a non-pierced earring alternative. For a more complete review of her talents, please visit her web site: www.earloops.com.
Kaleidoscopes/jewelry --
Peggy and Steve Kittleson
Woodland Designs, Inc
27491 Harding Road
Clermont, IA 52135
(563) 423 7336
Steve and Peggy have been creating fine handcrafted kaleidoscopes since 1986.Their goal was to create unique and distinctive scopes that are beautiful to look at and pleasing to touch and hold. They have achieved this goal by incorporating many facets of glass craftsmanship. They are known for their classic 2 mirror Kaleidoscope imagery, and the highest quality optical illusions defined by the incredible display of miniature glass sculptures found in the object chambers. The exteriors of their scopes are fused and slumped glass combined with finely machined metal turning ends
Each scope in a collaboration combining the talents of both- Steve has elevated his fusing skill to that of master, resulting in clean, crisp definition of design often requiring multiple firing and annealing. Peggy¹s flame sculptured glass pieces floating on oil -filled object chambers are among the most beautiful to be viewed through a kaleidoscope.
Peggy and Steve have been active members of the Brewster Kaleidoscope Society since 1986 and have twice received the Peoples Choice Award at Brewster conventions. They have received numerous Favorite Artist and Scope awards at National Kaleidoscope Exhibits, and their work has been included in various museum exhibits in the US and abroad.
Peggy and Steve have also created a fine line of dichroic jewelry as noted in the picture.
Eleanor and Adrian took rosemaling lessons in 1978 at a Community College education class taught by a Gold Medal winner. They thoroughly enjoyed their experience and continued painting after completion of the class. All items are painted using rosemaling colors, oil paints, and completed in the Telemark design of fanciful flowers, scrolls and accents.
Eleanor and Adrian enjoy their Norwegian hobby of rosemaling and being able to share with others by teaching rosemaling and giving programs and showing their art at craft shows and festivals. Eleanor has a beautiful Pie Stand that the committee is considering as one of the grand prizes for visiting all of the Artists at the Art Fair.
Rosemaling --
Nisse Rosemalers
Bev Schrandt,Pres.
Box 61
Ossian, Ia 52161
(563) 532 9521
Nisse Rosemalers are a group of women interested in the Norwegian art, Rosemaling, Kolerasing, Hardanger, Wheat Weaving, Chip Carving, Baskets and wool work. You should expect to see all of these at our booth and perhaps see the ladies creating their art.
Santas --
Elea Uhl --
Uhl-Tide Creations
1968 Trout Run Road
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382 3874
uhle@nicc.edu
Uhl-Tide Creations is the birthplace of Elea Uhls Santas and Norwegian Nisses. The business is operated out of her home just south of Decorah. Elea specializes in each face having its own personality.
The smaller craft Santa faces are made from her own original sculpture and then molded to create a unique personality in each Santa she designs.
Her one-of-a-kind Santas are entirely original. She hand sculpts each one, and it takes several hours to put in each wrinkle and twinkle in their eyes. The body and clothes are then matched to the liking of their new owner.
Elea has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine two separate years, and was one of the first Master Crafters selected to be included in the magazines hardcover Santa Claus book. She also has had several articles written about her in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota newspapers, AAA Magazine and Contemporary Doll Magazine.
Gnomes and Things is a husband and wife creation. Larry does most of the carving, but within the last two years, Doris has started carving pins and magnets.
are Gnomes, but they have branched out to many other caricatures, Trolls, Santas, Snowmen, Christmas decorations, pins, and magnets.
Please visit their website www.gnomesandthings.com for more information and pictures of his carving inventory.