Dala Horse Carving Class

Dala Horses: Carving a Tradition

Have you always wanted a horse, but couldn’t afford the space? This daylong workshop may be the answer. Join the herd of Dala horse admirers and learn to carve this darling creature. Carving wooden horses in Scandinavia dates back to at least the 11th century, if not earlier. If you have wanted to learn to carve, this is a wonderful place to begin.

Saturday, March 22, from 10:00am to 3:30pm

Materials fee: $15.00, includes one horse blank, and all tools and materials needed for carving. Additional horse blanks may be purchased for $10.00 apiece. 

What to bring to class?
Bring your favorite carved horses, or other wooden animals, to share with the class, as well as a pencil or two.

Open to all skill levels, ages 15 & up, no previous experience necessary.

Instructor Bio: Fred Livesay is a wood carver, wheelwright and educator, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He carved his first spoon at the age of seven, and as a teenager, he apprenticed as a wheel- and cartwright. He received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota in Art History, with an emphasis in Scandinavian Folk and Decorative Arts, followed by an M.A. from the State University of New York, Oneonta in History Museum Studies.  

He is a founding member of both North House Folk School and the annual Spoon Gathering in Milan, Minnesota. He has taught throughout Minnesota, as well as in England, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France. He is currently Associate Professor of Fine Handcrafts at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.