Photo courtesy of the Finnish American Folk School Weavers work on looms at the Finnish American Folk School in Hancock. The school will have an open house on May 10.

HANCOCK – The Finnish American Folk School invites the public to its first open house and fundraiser on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10 in the ground floor of Skyline Commons, 200 Michigan St. Hancock. The open house will feature family-friendly weaving and pottery demonstrations, Mother’s Day gifts, a silent auction, along with a rummage sale offering surplus equipment and a variety of craft supplies and books.

“We’re very excited to welcome everyone into our studios to see what we do here and find out how to get involved,” said Folk School Director Clare Zuraw. “Whether you’re interested in fiber arts, ceramics, or woodworking, there’s something for everyone.”

In addition to books and craft supplies such as yarn and fabric, the fundraiser will include surplus wood and metal working equipment. The silent auction will feature the works of Folk School instructors including Lindsey Heiden, Kenyon Hansen, Phyllis Fredendall and others. Funds raised will help to sustain folk school programming.

The Finnish American Folk School was founded in 2017 to promote knowledge of Finnish folk arts and traditional skills and ensure that they thrive for generations to come. The Folk School is a program of Finlandia Foundation National and is based in the art studios at Skyline Commons (formerly the Jutila Center) and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.

For more information, visit www.finnishamericanfolkschool.com, call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org.