Duluth Nordic Center Shares Culture Through Crafts

Liz Bucheit's 'Hand of the Huldra' Exhibition Inspires Crowns and Jewelry For All Generations

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Nordic Center is getting the whole family involved with its latest exhibition ‘Hand of the Huldra.’

The center hosts SunFunDays as a way to open up the gallery to families and let people of all ages get inspired. Currently, Liz Bucheit’s jewelry is on display, a collection inspired by the legend of the Huldrefolk or ‘hidden folk.’ The Nordic Center and Art Educator Alison Aune invited families to create their own crowns and jewelry.

“I love to see the creative imagination just set off,” Aune said. “Let them go. Bring them materials, give them some context, maybe some techniques, some ideas about the use of materials, and then encourage them to explore their own creativity.”

The center has been offering SunFunDays for ten years and Aune said its a great way to share Nordic traditions.

“If you don’t share it, it ends. People forget it,” Aune said. “And so, it’s always funny when I go back to Scandinavia, my friends are like well you’re doing more Nordic stories and traditions than they’re doing sometimes. Because, you know, Minnesota immigrants have held onto some of these traditions, of lefse and peasant food. And my Norwegian friends are like why are you eating this peasant food and it’s like well that’s culture for us. We’re holding onto things but we also recognize things change.”

Aune said her passion in life is sharing Nordic culture through art education. If you’re interested in learning more, the Nordic Center is open Fridays and Saturdays and the current exhibition is up until April 27th.