Arts & Demonstrations

Syttende Mai is a dream come true for artsy types and craft lovers who can’t get enough of all things Norwegian. The festival’s annual craft fair is packed with talented artists and makers showing off (and selling!) their handmade treasures. Explore exhibits of beautiful rosemåling (Norwegian decorative painting), cozy quilts, and intricate embroidery—all bursting with tradition and heart. Experience live demos, where you can watch the magic happen right before your eyes. It’s the perfect chance to chat with the creators, learn something new, and soak up the colorful, crafty side of 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 rosemåling, 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.

List of 2025 Vendors - coming soon!

Applications are now closed for 2025!

Chorus Public House

154 W Main St

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

The Piecemaker Quilters launched the quilt show over 30 years ago, and it continues to feature 75–100 quilts from local artists of all skill levels. With a wide variety of styles, techniques, and even antique quilts, there’s something for every textile art fan.

Festival-goers can vote for their favorite, with Viewer’s Choice ribbons awarded at the end of the weekend. The top three quilts earn a spot in next year’s show.

Our 2025 Featured Quilter is Karen Lapidakis. Read her biography here.

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 exhibit contains items on display and others for sale. Local rosemaling artists will demonstrate their process.

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

A Brief History of Rosemåling in Stoughton:

Rosemåling saw a revival in the 1940s as Norwegian Americans embraced the folk art during newfound leisure time. This movement was largely sparked by Per Lysne of Stoughton, whose painted woodenware inspired neighbors like Ethel Kvalheim to pick up the craft. Though self-taught, Kvalheim began selling her work and developed her own style through careful observation.

Stoughton remains a hub for rosemåling, and is home to several Vesterheim Gold Medalists, including Kvalheim, Vi Thode, and Nancy Odalen.

Stoughton Public Library

Meet today’s artisans and crafters 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

• Chip Carving — Decorative style of wood carving creates 3-D effects by removing portions of the wood with a knife. Intricate and intriguing  geometric designs can be made using patterns or designs created by the artist.

• Krokbragd Weaving — Norwegian art of Krokbragd weaving. Krokbragd (pronounced croak-brod) is a Norwegian version of tapestry style, weft-faced weaving.

• Scandinavian Flat-Plane Wood Carving — With each cut of the knife these pieces begin to take on their enduring characteristics which make them unique one-of-a-kind creations.

• Sami Bracelet Making — The Sami nomadic tribes in the North of Scandinavia have a rich and ancient native culture. These bracelets are made using techiques developed by the Sami people and incorporated within the creation of these bracelets.

• Rosemåling Demonstration — Nancy Odalen, Vesterheim Gold Medal Rosemåler, and her apprentice, Ella Beckler, will be demonstrating Rosemaling and sharing the history of this artform.