Arts & Demonstrations

The Stoughton festival for Syttende Mai attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture.

Arts & Craft Fair
Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit
Quilt Show
Rosemåling Exhibit and Sale
Scandinavian Skills Demonstrations

Saturday · 10am — 6pm

Stoughton High School Field House (enter doors #1 or #24)

600 Lincoln Ave.

The Arts & Crafts Fair is a vibrant showcase celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship that embody the spirit of the Syttende Mai Festival. Featuring a wide array of artistic mediums—such as rosemaling, woodcarving, painting, graphic art, pottery, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, weaving, and handicrafts—the fair invites you to discover one-of-a-kind creations that reflect both tradition and innovation. Don't miss the opportunity to explore these exceptional works of art!

The event is held indoors at the Stoughton High School Fieldhouse.

Registration Fee: $90

• Application and fee must be postmarked by: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

• Spaces are limited, and early applications are encouraged.

• The event is held indoors.

• Stoughton High School is a temporary location for 2025. Shuttle service to downtown is available with parking/pick-up at High School Door #1.

• You must submit the application form, S-240 tax form, and a photo of your work.

• Cancellation Policy: No refunds unless your space can be filled from the waiting list.

List of 2025 Vendors - coming soon!

Chorus Public House

154 W Main St

Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - noon

The History of the Syttende Mai Quilt Show

The Piecemaker Quilters started the quilt show over 30 years ago. Area quilters continue to submit their work for judging and display. The show averages between 75 and 100 quilts or more with a range of themes, techniques, sizes and patterns. The show is open to quilters of all levels, skills and experience and also accepts antique quilts, so show attendees will view a variety of textile art.

The public is invited to vote for their favorite quilt; Viewer’s Choice ribbons will be awarded at the end of the two-day Syttende Mai festival. Quilters with the top three most popular quilts will receive an invitation to display these quilts for the following year’s Syttende Mai festival Quilt Show.

Deadline to enter is May 12th, 2025.

Interested in entering? We welcome new and returning quilters to showcase their work in this beloved festival tradition! Whether your quilt honors Norwegian heritage, tells a personal story, or highlights your creativity, we’d love to display it. All styles and skill levels are welcome—join us in celebrating the art of quilting!  Fill out the application below to enter!

Chorus Public House

154 W Main St

Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - noon

The Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit showcases intricate Norwegian textile art. Hardangersøm uses counted threads to create geometric designs with needle and cutwork. Originating in the Middle East, it spread to Scandinavia and became popular in Norway’s Hardanger region, decorating bunads, table linens, and home décor.

The Syttende Mai exhibit features artists taught by Donna M. Olson. While traditional Hardanger embroidery is white-on-white, modern pieces use color. Displayed works include table linens, clothing, doll clothes, and more.

None of the pieces in the Hardanger Exhibit are for sale; artists will offer demonstrations throughout the day.

Presented by the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association

United Methodist Church

525 Lincoln Ave

(lower level/back entrance of church)

Friday · 9am – 4pm

Saturday · 9am — 4pm

Sunday · 9am — 12pm

Rosemåling is the term for the bright, flowing Norwegian folk art painting that decorates many Norwegian wooden objects like furniture, frames and the trim around doors and windows. The artform began in rural Norway in the mid-18th century as an imitation of the intricate wood carvings common to the upper class. Its popularity faded 100 years later, but Norwegian immigrants brought the painting tradition with them to the New World on their colorful, painted trunks and revived the style in the U.S. The Stoughton rosemaling exhibit contains items on display and others for sale. Local rosemaling artists will demonstrate their process.

Stoughton is the birthplace of rosemaling in North America. Norwegian-born Stoughton resident Per Lysne established a thriving rosemaling business in the 1930s where he sold many painted objects and taught very few students. Lysne’s student and neighbor, Ethel Kvalheim, became one of the foremost experts in rosemaling in the U.S. Her work spread throughout the Midwest and popularized the folk art in the 60’s. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Kvalheim a 1989 fellowship; she won the first gold medal award from the National Rosemaling Association; and she received the Medal of St. Olaf from the king of Norway for her contribution to Norwegian culture and art in the U.S. Her work can be seen in the Stoughton Home Savings bank. Both Lysne and Kvalheim’s work is on display at the Verterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa.

Parking is available in back parking lot and at Yahara School. Festival Shuttle Bus parking is available at the High School.

Stoughton Public Library

Meet today’s artisans, crafters, and musicians who are preserving traditional Scandinavian art for the next generation. This event is designed to bring you up close with artists in a setting where you can ask questions and learn more about what they do.

Saturday ∙ 9am - 4pm

• Krokbragd/Rosepath Weaving Demonstration

• Flat-plane Wood Carving

• Spinning & Fiber Preparation

• Sami Bracelet Making Demonstration

• Rosemåling Demonstrations