NORWEGIAN TERMITE
Woodcarving in the Scandinavian Tradition

NORWEGIAN TERMITE CLASSES

Classes

Individual tutoring or small group classes are held periodically in my workshop.

Contact me for more information.

Information on our next class below...

Burnsville Carving Club

​Open Carving

Thursdays 6 pm - 9 pm

First-timers - no charge. A free wood blank and loan of a carving knife will be provided

Lower level of Diamondhead Education Center,
200 Burnsville Pkwy Suite #1023, Burnsville, MN 55337

Finishing Your Figures

This class runs Tuesdays, November 11-25, from 9 am–12 pm each session.

Gather up your unfinished figure carvings that ended up in a drawer, closet, or on a shelf after class! This three-week course offers the chance for flat plane carvers to tackle their partially carved figures and finish the details, one of the trickiest and fun parts of traditional Scandinavian figure carving. Jock Holmen will provide individualized feedback as students practice refining the faces, boots, hats, hands, and other details to improve their figures. This class will offer a creative and focused environment as well as room for experimentation. Note that this class focuses on carving techniques; painting will not be covered.

Prerequisites:

Physical ability: Wood carving requires average hand strength and dexterity, such as being able to open a pickle jar.

Skill level: Some figure carving experience is helpful, and students must already have a figure (or figures) in process.

Ages: Suitable for ages 18+.

Tools & Materials:

Students should bring 1-3 in-process figures for class. Please bring your own carving knife (a Flexcut #13 or similar) and carving glove if you have one. There will also be a limited number to lend.

Nov 11, 2025

Tue, Nov 11, 2025 
– Tue, Nov 25, 2025

Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: In-Person
Instructor: Jock Holmen

2600 Park Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Cost: $135 ($120 ASI member)

More info & Registration:

Introduction to Acanthus

This class runs Tuesdays, January 13 through February 3, 6-9 pm each session.

Norwegian-style acanthus carvings are familiar to many appreciators of traditional Norwegian buildings, wooden ware, and other folk art–but before carving, you have to be able to draw it. Join woodcarver Jock Holmen for a four-week class to learn the basic “alphabet” of Norwegian carving, first through drawing and then with chisels and gouges. Understanding how larger decorative carvings can be broken into individual components allows anyone to approach a new project with both precision and creativity.

During the first and third week of class, students will practice drawing shapes of various leaves and scrolls. In the second and fourth sessions, students will adapt these forms to carving simple designs, with some opportunity for further exploration depending on level. Throughout this class, it will focus on design, shape, and basic building blocks to give students the tools to further their carving practice.

Prerequisites:

Physical ability: Wood carving requires average hand strength and dexterity, such as being able to open a pickle jar.
Skill level: Open to all skill levels.

Ages: Suitable for ages 18+.

Tools & Materials:

A $25 materials fee is payable to the instructor. Please view and save this materials list for information about the required and optional tools provided by the students.

Jan 13, 2026

Tue, Jan 13, 2026 
– Tue, Feb 3, 2026

Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Location: In-Person
Instructor: Jock Holmen

2600 Park Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Cost: $180 ($160 ASI member) + $25 material fee

More info & Registration: