Want to learn about rosemaling?

Remember my post from a few days ago about Hannah Graves? Well, I'm not the only one singing her praises. There's a great article here about her latest accomplishment. You see, after nearly three years of efforts, she has become the youngest person in the United States to earn a Sons of Norway master’s pin in cultural skills. That's no easy task, so let's all give a hearty congratulations to Ms. Graves!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our Cultural Skills Program, it's a fun, educational program designed to encourage active participation in traditional and contemporary Norwegian pursuits. With 14 areas of study to choose from, ranging from rosemaling to chip carving to folk dancing, there's definitely something for everyone. In each of the 14 categories, there are three different levels that can be attained. Also, there are four different tracks participants can follow:

• Specialist: One who wishes to go in depth in one area, e.g. Hardanger embroidery or genealogy, etc.
  
  
• Generalist: One who samples several skills and qualify for the basic level in each, for example: stamp collecting, crafts, and Norwegian foods.
  
  
• Mentor: One who is skilled in activities offered in the Norwegian Cultural Skills Program can do a different challenge: mentor others who need formal or informal instruction. The mentor is an extremely important person in passing on the Norwegian heritage to others.
  
  
• Master of Cultural Skills: One who has completed at least three levels of three different skills, or nine individual basic activities.

It's a great program that can be done alone, or easily adapted into a group activity. If you'd like to learn more about the Sons of Norway Cultural Skills Program, there's two ways to do so. You can either contact send an e-mail to ljonsen@sofn.com or call us at (800) 945-8851.