Leading Authority on Scandinavian Folk Art to Teach Woodcarving Classes

LANCASTER, Pa. - March 31, 2016 - PRLog -- The world's leading authority on Scandinavian flat-plane figure carving will teach several hands-on classes in Lancaster County, Pa. this May. Harley Refsal will lead four workshops during the May 13-14 Fox Chapel Publishing Open House and Woodworking Show, at the Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association in Kinzers. After the show Refsal will go on to teach an intensive three-day course May 16-18 at Fox Chapel headquarters in East Petersburg. Tickets are now on sale for both events.

One of the world's most notable folk artists, Harley Refsal has been decorated by the King of Norway for his pioneering contributions to Norwegian culture. A Professor Emeritus of Scandinavian Folk Art, Refsal has been featured in the PBS series Craft in America, appeared as guest woodcarver on Prairie Home Companion, and was honored as "Woodcarver of the Year" by Woodcarving Illustrated magazine.

Refsal, a third-generation Norwegian-American, has been carving in the flat-plane style for four decades, and played a crucial role in reviving the style after it nearly went extinct in its native Scandinavia. Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian, literally wrote the book about flat-plane carving (several books in fact), and his name is now so integrally linked with the tradition that it is often simply referred to as the "Refsal style." Steve Johnson, executive director of the Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum in Iowa, calls Refsal "the approachable, down-to-earth, and beloved woodcarving instructor."

During his upcoming three-day class at Fox Chapel headquarters, Refsal will reveal his caricature carving secrets and work with students one-on-one as they finish at least one carving each (experienced carvers might finish two or three). Seats are limited to make sure that each student receives professional-quality instruction.

Refsal's classes at the Woodworking Show are being offered during a two-day festival of woodworking exhibits and live demonstrations, coinciding with Rough and Tumble's "Spring Steam-up," featuring steam-powered trains and tractors in action. For more information visit http://wood-show.com/ or call 1-800-457-9112.

WHAT: Intensive 3-Day Carving Class with Harley Refsal

WHEN: May 16-18, 2016 (Monday through Wednesday), 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day

WHERE: Fox Chapel Publishing, 1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520

TUITION: $300.00 for the entire three day course

MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS: Call 1-800-457-9112 or visit http://wood-show.com/2016/01/28/come-for-open-house-stay-...

HI-RES PHOTO DOWNLOADS: High-resolution image files available for download at http://wood-show.com/press-images

PRESS RELEASE: https://www.prlog.org/12545491-if-you-enjoy-woodworking-creativity-dont-miss-this-event.html

PRESS CONTACT: Ed Kladky, 717-715-8609, publicity@foxchapelpublishing.com