North House Folk School

Roger Abrahamson is a traditional bowl turner and woodcarver. Using lathes, hand-forged tools, carving tools, and freshly harvested native woods, he specializes in the creation of old-world-style Norwegian ale vessels. His fascination for these objects has its roots in his immigrant grandmother’s ale bowl, which is still in the family. Roger has demonstrated and taught his art at North House Folk School, Vesterheim’s Nordic Fest, Norsk Høstfest, the Minnesota State Fair, the Smithsonian Institute’s Viking exhibition, and many many other events and historic sites nationally. He has been a turner and demonstrator for over 40 years and continues to work daily.

He’s interested in Norwegian Folk Art, especially in how this folk art tradition illustrates changes in our perception of traditional trades and standards. He sees impacts of these changes everywhere in our own time.