Jaana Erkkilä-Hill creates artwork that reflects the spiritual and religious experiences of life, looking beyond culture, time, and circumstance to try to access a deeply-felt and experienced connection to the spiritual.  She sees her creative practice as a means to ask questions, philosophically examining what is seen and unseen.  Drawing from art history, nature, and society, Erkkilä-Hill combines the everyday and the sacred, the visible and the invisible world in search of what lies at the core.

Artist Talk at 6pm

• FinnFest Gallery Viewing: August 1-3 from 12-4pm
• Exhibition Open: August 8-9 from 12-4pm

Come celebrate and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with us as Norwegian immigrant, teacher, and author Kristbjørg Eide launches her new book THEY SOWED GOODNESS.
We would love for you to join us for this meet and greet program. The author will give brief introduction and looks forward to answering questions and engaging in conversation.

Saturday, September 20, at 3 pm

THEY SOWED GOODNESS is filled with stories from the late 1800’s to the year 2000 featuring:

• The joys and challenges of living off the land on a rocky island in the North Sea
• The tension between financial security and physical danger experienced by Norwegian fishermen
• The fear and defiance triggered by the Nazi occupation of 1940-1945
• Vivid descriptions of daily life and special occasions in Norwegian villages
• Mouthwatering descriptions of traditional foods, some with recipes
• First person stories of successful and failed attempts to emigrate to America

Lyrically written and accompanied by beautifully restored photographs.

FREE ADMISSION
Light refreshments will be served

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Restauration, a small ship from Norway carrying 52 people, arrived in New York City harbor on October 9, 1825. 200 years later we will gather to tell this dramatic story. The short play which we will present follows this group of emigrants as they leave Stavanger, Norway and as they travel for over three months across the Atlantic. As immigrants, they had to overcome troubles once they landed and as they made their way to settle in upstate New York, and later in Illinois and Texas. Join with the Nordic Center community for an evening including a staged reading of the play and music, food, and fellowship. 

All are welcome!

$10 suggested donation – purchase online here

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Nov 21st City of the North Parade 6:30 – 8:00 PM: Grand Opening of Pepperkakebyen!

Nov 21st – Dec 13th – Come to visit the Gingerbread City during our gallery hours from Friday 12-4 and Saturday from 1-4 PM! House pick-up on Dec 13th (1-4 PM) – closed on 11/29 & 11/30 Thanksgiving.

Give to the Max started in 2009 as a one-time campaign to mark the launch of GiveMN.org, Minnesota’s digital home for generosity. The results of that day—$14 million raised in just 24 hours—blew everyone’s expectations out of the water, and a new Minnesota tradition was born. In fact, Give to the Max was one of the nation’s first online giving days and now serves as a national model for giving days across the country. In the years since, nearly one million donors have given more than $355 million to 14,000 nonprofits and schools as part of Minnesota’s giving holiday.

Mark your calendars—Give to the Max Day returns for a 17th year on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with Early Giving beginning on November 1. Visit GiveMN.org during that time to follow along with totals, see prize winners, and have your generosity counted as part of this year’s campaign.

Support the Nordic Center here:

https://www.givemn.org/organization/Nordiccenterduluth

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Help us to build our annual Gingerbread City, which will be displayed from Nov 22nd – December 13th at The Nordic Center of Duluth!

Nov 9th (Sunday) – Live, in-person gingerbread house decorating workshop from 2 – 4 PM at the Prøve Gallery and the Nordic Center (21 N and 23 N Lake Avenue). You must purchase a kit by October 31st in order to participate in the decorating workshop.

Order kits here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/14th-annual-pepperkakebyen–2025

Order by October 31st – Gingerbread class registration (kits only available for class participants this year). Register on our website: $30 (plus processing fees) per kit.

Nov 21st City of the North Parade 6:30 – 8:00 PM: Grand Opening of Pepperkakebyen

Nov 22nd – Dec 13th – Come to visit the Gingerbread City during our gallery hours from Friday 12-4 and Saturday from 1-4 PM!  – closed on 11/29 & 11/30 Thanksgiving.

*House pick-up on Dec 13th (1-4 PM)

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Do you have a box of old letters in your attic that you’ve never been able to read? Are you out of touch with your family back in the old country? Or would you just like to pick up another language? If so, this is the class for you! This course will focus on basic Norwegian language skills in the Bokmål dialect. Learn how to ask for directions, describe people and objects, express dates, and carry on conversations, all without any intrusive apps!

Back by popular demand, this is the second iteration of the course first offered by the Nordic Center in the summer of 2024. Your teacher, Bjorn Killerud, is a lifelong Norwegian speaker with a passion for the language and for Norwegian culture. With him, you’ll also learn about some of the curiosities of the Norwegian way of life, such as lutefisk, trolls, and the country’s strange relationship with a famous cartoon duck! Come join the fun in this interactive class for all ages and ability levels! 

Register here by October 24th HERE

Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

(8 Classes Total) October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Calling Young Musicians: Nordic Folk Music Hang!

Sunday, March 29th / 1 – 5 PM

Come on down for an afternoon of *FREE* Nordic workshops, performances, and jam sessions for young musicians at The Nordic Center of Duluth, 23 N Lake Avenue. Learn tunes and make new friends.

Fresh off their trip to Sweden this past July, Clif Nesseth & Paul Sauey (2025 American Scandinavian Foundation Fellows and co-founders of Ponyfolk) are looking forward to sharing what they learned with young artists. There might even be a few special guests to help provide a rich afternoon of music making and community building.

The workshop will be flexible based on the experience level of participants, but Clif and Paul will plan to teach a Nordic tune, and then participants will have an opportunity to form an ad hoc band and arrange a folk tune on the fly. There will be opportunities to jam with the instructors, maybe even a little surprise gig.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Register for this special opportunity by March 27th.

REGISTER HERE!

This event is made possible by funding from the American Scandinavian Foundation.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

An exhibition by Minnesota artists whose work embodies a vision of beauty, hope, and re-birth.
Grand Opening – March 6 – 6:00 to 9:00
March 6 to May 2.
Gallery Open Hours
Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Join us for our book club!
Open to all, we will read a variety of styles of fiction
from all the Nordic countries (in English).

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd

Cost: $120 (8-week course) Are you a lapsed Norwegian? Do you have some basic Norwegian language under your belt, but haven’t had the opportunity to practice those skills? If so, the Nordic Center is offering you the chance to shake off the rust and learn some new tricks as well! This is the second in a series of Bokmål-dialect language courses hosted by Bjorn Killerud, a lifelong Norwegian speaker and passionate fan of all things Norway!

This 8 week course meets once a week and covers the nuances of the Norwegian language using children’s literature, folktales, film, and historical and contemporary music. Improve your listening skills, pronunciation, intonation, and more in a low-pressure environment with fellow learners. In addition to class time, all students will be provided with weekly access to slides, cheat sheets, and worksheets to aid in study at home without endless prodding from intrusive apps!

Register here by April 12th HERE

Schedule:

Wednesdays (8 Classes Total):

April 15th, 22nd, 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd