Staff Report
The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art will celebrate Solvang’s history and cultural roots at its annual Living History Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22, during Danish Days weekend.
Artisans and craftspeople will demonstrate their skills and entertain visitors, and admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Inge Jacobsen and other museum volunteers demonstrate and teach visitors Danish paper crafts.
“There will be hands-on activities for all ages and the Danish Christmas Corner with gifts and accessories rooted in Danish traditions,” said Elverhoj Executive Director Esther Jacobsen Bates. “Guests can make paper craft decorations, get creative with Viking rune stamps, weave paper stars, dress up like Vikings and snap selfies, and shop for Danish Christmas keepsakes.”
Clara Ehrsam demonstrates the centuries-old tradition of bobbin lace making.
Inside the museum, exhibits come to life through demonstrations in spinning, rosemaling and jewelry making. Bobbin lace makers will hand weave intricate designs and offer guests an opportunity to try the centuries-old art. Docents in colorful Danish folk costumes will be creating Danish Christmas crafts such as woven paper hearts and paper stars.
Rick James Marzullo will be demonstrating papirklip, the Danish folk art of papercutting that has earned him international acclaim.
Papirklip artist Rick James Marzullo will demonstrate the Danish folk art of papercutting that has earned him international acclaim. Rounding out the weekend of free activities will be docent-led tours of the museum’s historical, cultural and art exhibits.
Since 1988, Elverhøj Museum has been welcoming and educating visitors. Sharing art and culture has always been an integral part of the museum mission, following in a custom started by the Brandt-Erichsen family, whose hand-built home was a gathering place for the art community and later donated to become a community museum.
The museum strives to honor that memory by presenting art and cultural events; providing educational opportunities and outreach to schools; and being an entity that fosters creativity and inclusivity.
The Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History and Art celebrates Solvang’s historical and cultural roots.
Along with rotating contemporary exhibitions in the gallery, Elverhøj features a variety of permanent exhibits that address Solvang’s Danish heritage and early history, the Danish emigration to America, and various Danish artifacts.
The current gallery exhibition, “Crossing Paths: Eyvind Earle & John Cody,” reunites two celebrated artists whose lives and artistic endeavors intersected over the decades, often inspired by a love for art and the local environment.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.elverhoj.org or phone the Museum at 805-686-1211.
