Harley Refsal
Encyclopedia
Harley Refsal is an internationally recognized figure carver, specializing in Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
.
, which was homesteaded by his Norwegian
-immigrant grandparents. He began working in wood as a young boy. His father, a carpenter and farmer, and a woodworker uncle who lived nearby kept him well supplied with wood, tools, and encouragement.
on a number of occasions. He teaches Scandinavian studies
at Luther College
in Decorah, Iowa
, where he also holds the title Associate Professor of Scandinavian Folk Art
. Since the 1980s, Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian
, has shared his knowledge of and skills in Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving with thousands of carvers through classes and presentations in the United States
and Scandinavia.
Refsal is an Emeritus Member of the Caricature Carvers of America
. He was honored in 1996 by H. M. Harald V
, King of Norway, with the Order of St. Olav for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway.
Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving
The Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving is a style of figure carving. The figures are carved in large flat planes, created primarily using a carving knife. Tool marks are left in the carving and very little rounding or sanding is done...
.
Background
Refsal was born and raised on a farm near Hoffman, MinnesotaHoffman, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 672 people, 274 households, and 164 families residing in the city. The population density was 319.9 people per square mile . There were 307 housing units at an average density of 146.2 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.45%...
, which was homesteaded by his Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
-immigrant grandparents. He began working in wood as a young boy. His father, a carpenter and farmer, and a woodworker uncle who lived nearby kept him well supplied with wood, tools, and encouragement.
Career
Refsal has traveled to and lived in ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
on a number of occasions. He teaches Scandinavian studies
Scandinavian studies
Scandinavian studies is an interdisciplinary academic field of area studies that covers topics related to Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, including their languages, literature, history, culture and society, in countries other than these. As described in the article on Scandinavia, that name...
at Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
in Decorah, Iowa
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
, where he also holds the title Associate Professor of Scandinavian Folk Art
Folk art
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic....
. Since the 1980s, Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
, has shared his knowledge of and skills in Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving with thousands of carvers through classes and presentations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Scandinavia.
Refsal is an Emeritus Member of the Caricature Carvers of America
Caricature Carvers of America
In 1989, a group of ten wood carvers, with the common goal of promoting the art of caricature carving, met in the back room of Paxton Lumber Co. in Fort Worth, Texas to discuss the formation of a national organization to further that goal. From that meeting came the Caricature Carvers of America ...
. He was honored in 1996 by H. M. Harald V
Harald V of Norway
Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...
, King of Norway, with the Order of St. Olav for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway.
Education
- B.A., Augsburg CollegeAugsburg CollegeAugsburg College is a selective liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Augsburg was named for the Augsburg Confession, the document of Lutheran belief. The school was founded in 1869 in Marshall, Wisconsin as Augsburg Seminary and moved...
, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States... - Eksamen Philosophicum, University of OsloUniversity of OsloThe University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
- M. Div., Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Cand. Mag., TelemarkTelemarkis a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
College, RaulandRaulandThis article is about the former municipality in Norway. For the American diplomat, see Scott Rauland.Rauland is a former municipality in Telemark County, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vest-Telemark....
, NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...