Inside a repurposed 109-year-old school house is the base of what makes up the Milan Village Arts School, one of the many pieces within the city of Milan that has helped the town thrive without shedding its cultural ties.
This year is Milan Village Arts School's 17th annual Spoon Gathering, which is well-known in the spoon carving and woodworking communities. Artisans come from all over the country to take part.
While it won't be 100% back to what it was in 2019, the Milan Village Art School is holding its Spoon Gathering for the first time since the pandemic began. The three-day event will be open to registered participants only, who will still get the opportunity to learn about traditional green woodcarving from some of the best teachers in the country.
The Milan Village Arts School is campaigning to purchase and preserve the Karen Jenson Trestuen Garden Gallery in Milan, Minnesota. The home of rosemaling artist Karen Jenson is described as "a masterpiece of design, color and Scandinavian art." It's the fruit of more than 50 years of her art, as well as a friendship with uniquely talented twin brothers Aaron and Arvid Swenson of rural Flom, Minnesota.