NORTH HOUSE FOLK SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
- Classroom Manager
Alex has worked in non-profits interspersed with brief stints across the country where she worked as a white water raft guide, ranch hand, and organic farmworker. This former intern loves talking with current interns and artisans about their craft! In her free time you'll find her hiking, paddling, swimming, reading books and building things.
Alo Osberg is a natural builder and artist with a focus on timber framing, small boats, and mask-making. They are always looking for ways to connect people to place and love teaching aspiring craftsfolk about local organic materials with curiosity, patience and play.
A timber framer, boat builder, and avid forager- Alo is most in their element when outside, learning processes for transforming raw elements into functional art. They started timber framing as an apprentice in Cherry Valley, NY in 2020 but started their carpentry work much earlier as a public artist and later a crew leader for students, volunteers, and artists at Summit Academy, Steger Wilderness Center, Historicorps, and Visitor Center Artist Camp. They are always looking for ways to connect people to place and love teaching aspiring craftfolk about local organic material with curiosity, patience and play.
Amber M. Jensen is a painter, textile artist, and teacher working out of her downtown Minneapolis studio. Her work is an invitation for viewers to join her in a fantastical world of imagination that's grounded in the often elusive sense of place, home, and shelter.
Amber Jensen is a textile artist and painter, creating work in her South Minneapolis studio. Her work and studio are an intimate, visual invitation into that often elusive and fantastical sense of belonging we so often yearn for. Each piece welcomes you to connect with her deep knowing or feeling for a sense of place, home and shelter.
"Weaving takes time. Good design takes time. This is how we keep traditional crafts vibrant, dynamic and relevant in a world of mass production. Each step is meditative and thoughtful; each finished piece is a visual reflection of time, care and love of place. What happens next, as the cloth is marked by new travels and forms to its new caretaker, inspires my imagination and the desire to create more." -Amber M. Jensen
Born and raised in Iowa, Amy migrated north in her teens to guide canoe trips in the BWCAW. She fell in love with the boreal forest so when her husband, Peter, had the opportunity to help North House get off the ground in 1997, they naturally jumped at the chance. When not out paddling or nordic skiing with Peter and their two daughters, Amy uses her passion for spreadsheets and numbers to keep North House's finances organized. She feels very fortunate to be able to use these skills for an organization that aligns so closely with her passion to keep old traditions alive.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Anders Lindberg is highly-renowned craftsman and teacher from the Gothenburg region of Sweden. He works primarily in green wood, making innovative furniture and other items for the home using traditional techniques. He teaches courses for adults and children and has published two books on slöjd. Anders notes his particular love of green woodworking, which allows him to be involved in the whole process, from tree felling to finished craft, to work outside without saw dust, and to use local wood. This is his first trip to North House.
Andrew discovered his passion for the craft of timber framing during a North House class in 2018. He now works professionally as a timber framer and spends his days off skiing and exploring the mountains of western Wyoming.
Andrew discovered his passion for the craft of timber framing during a North House class in 2018. He now works professionally as a timber framer and spends his days off skiing and exploring the mountains of western Wyoming.
Andy Keith has been a resident of Minnesota's North Shore for over 40 years. He was first drawn to the area's wild playground as a young man. He has canoed extensively throughout The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and also kayaked many of the shores and islands of Lake Superior in addition to hiking much of the Superior Hiking Trail. While not playing in the great out-of-doors, Andy works as a carpenter, building homes and an assortment of small projects in the area. He has experience in both framing and finishing. In addition to his carpentry, he works as a part-time substitute teacher.
Job Titles:
- Front Office Host & Program Liaison
With a deep love of forests, flowers, fiber arts, fresh air and getting things done, Beth transplanted herself to Cook County in 2002. She is excited to be the office manager for North House and be in the presence of lovers and teachers of craft. Beth lives with her husband Bob and their dog Charlie in a little cabin on Devil Track Lake. Beth would love to meet you and share stories about your crafts the next time you stop in to the School Store!
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Front Office Host & School Store Manager
Locally grown (born and raised in Cook County), Cindy recently become a "townie" after moving to Grand Marais from waaaaay back in the woods where she'd co-owned and operated Sawbill Canoe Outfitters for 30+ years with her husband, Bill. Together they raised a couple more locals while living off-grid. She loves to tap dance and enjoys a good laugh!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Clark's wife enrolled him in the first timber framing class offered at North House and he hasn't been the same since. He became a professional timber framer for 10 years, and served on the board of the Timber Framers Guild. A former researcher at Bell Labs, he is now a computer programmer. Clark lives in NE Minneapolis, and is still married to Mia.
Elise Kyllo grew up in South Minneapolis, but immediately after college she discovered a love for the wilderness while guiding trips from the end of the Gunflint Trail. This experience ultimately led her back to Grand Marais and North House Folk School became the reason she stayed. About 12 years ago, wool as an artistic medium entered her life, replacing paints, clay, and inks with a desire to create things of beauty and usefulness. Elise says: "It's somewhat of a mystery as to how I fell in love with wool, but undoubtedly it's the close connection to the land, the sustainability of fiber from sheep and the magical transformation of wool into practical and beautiful things requiring little more than water, soap and agitation. Felting is completely intoxicating and never, ever dull. There is joy, playfulness, and happy surprises when working with wool, which I love to share with others."
Elise was an Artisan in Residence in North House's Artisan Development Program where she focused on her felting practice.
Fred Livesay carved his first spoon at age seven & never looked back. He is a founding North House instructor dedicated to promoting traditional craft across the Midwest. Fred is sought after internationally for his range of skills, his humor and infectious passion, wherever he teaches.
Fred Livesay made his first spoon at age seven and has focused his life and career on traditional handwork ever since. He trained formally as a wheelwright and carriage-builder and then went on to study Scandinavian folk art, decorative arts and art history, eventually receiving an M. A. in history museum studies. Forty years of teaching and study here and in Sweden and England, give him a clear understanding of the joy handmade objects bring to everyday living, the healing art of craft & the mediative connection between head, hands & heart. Fred is a founding instructor of North House Folk School, the Spoon Gathering, Milan, MN. and is a widely, respected sought after teacher of craft nationally and internationally. He was recently made an Associate Professor of Fine Handcrafts, Luther College.
Job Titles:
- Chairman Making With Anders Lindberg
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
Greg has been immersed in educational nonprofit leadership his entire career. Arriving at North House in its fourth year, he has relished its strong community, powerful mission, and steady evolution. Northerner travelers by nature, Greg, his wife Jeanne, and daughter Olya prefer life outdoors. Chickens, bees, garlic, birch firewood, a CSA and some fiddling keep them moving.
Heidi is a wife, mother, grandmother, engineer at Boston Scientific, and shepherdess to a flock of thirty registered Gotland and Finn sheep, and one llama. Yes, they all have names and personalities and they produce long, lustrous and highly sought-after fibers. She is also a spinner and knitter and loves to share what she has learned about raising her friendly fiber animals.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
- Registrar
After being introduced to the north shore by rainy camping trips with her family when she was young, Jennifer is now thrilled to embrace the changing weather and seasons as a full-time resident. She looks forward to transferring the skills gained as an art museum registrar to being the North House registrar as well as greeting students and visitors in the School Store. Jennifer is fueled by being in the woods, on the water, and by continually learning and exploring.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
- Program Director
An educator by training, Jessa is passionate about lifelong learning and the connections of craft, community and landscape. She has served as North House's Program Director since 2010, leading a wide variety of programmatic initiatives to both expand and deepen the school's curriculum and commitment to both folk education and the craft educators who make the work possible. She currently is plenty busy exploring the natural world with her young son, while attempting to keep up with her personal interests in gardening, skiing, cooking, basketry and music as well as burgeoning need to mend toddler clothing!
Job Titles:
- Facilities Director
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
After growing up in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joe began his glacial trek to the West and North, with stops in Madison and the Twin Cities, finally making a longstanding dream come true landing in Grand Marais. With a foundation in the arts and a DIY ethos, he brings a love of music and traditional craft to the North Shore.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Kaitlin hails from southeastern Pennsylvania and fell in love with Northern Minnesota while studying for her PhD in ecology at the University of Minnesota. She is grateful she is able to connect with all the students and be part of the North House community in her role. Kaitlin feels most at home in a pair of overalls digging around in her garden, paddling her two dogs (Jackson and Hank) through the BWCA with her husband (Robbie) in their canoe named ‘The Yacht', or skijoring on their lake.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Co - Owners of Amicus Adventure Sailing
Katya Gordon have been teaching our multi-day sail training trips to Isle Royale and the far corners of Lake Superior aboard Amicus II for 13 years. Mark also teaches Celestial Navigation and they both teach Winter River Exploration.
Mark and Katya Gordon are co-owners of Amicus Adventure Sailing, a small family-owned charter business that operates out of Knife River, MN. Mark (captain) has more than 40 years experience in leading trips and 30 years as a licensed Captain and EMT. Together they have sailed thousands of miles on Lake Superior and beyond with their two daughters Cedar and Lamar. Katya is an author, sailor, and adventurer and if you are lucky enough to be on one of her trips - she will amaze you with her ability to provide scrumptious, healthy meals from a kitchen smaller than a broom closet.
It was always a goal to "move north", so when the opportunity to take charge of technology at North House presented itself, Kjell packed up his skills programming computers and putting digital tools to the task of making the world a better, craftier place and got to work.
Job Titles:
- Grants & Fundraising Events Manager
Growing up in the lakes region of western Minnesota, Libby gained a range of nonprofit experience while serving with an organization in Delaware. Returning to the Midwest in 2018, she is excited to share North House's mission and story through her role. The local landscape provides the perfect fuel for Libby's swimming passion - from indoor laps to long-distance, wetsuit-clad swims in Superior's invigorating waters.
Job Titles:
- Front Office Host & Online Store Coordinator
From the beginning, a seasonal taste of the North Shore was not enough, and Linda has now transitioned to a year-round embrace of both nature and craft. Having always worked with her hands, she is a lover of patterns and rhythms, and finds joy in the serendipity of life. At the School Store, she supports the creation and the telling of stories. She can often be found outside among the trees or somewhere along the Big Lake.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Director
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
Liv began her North House experience as a perennial work study volunteer, which opened the door to coursework in many crafts including herbalism, woodworking and spoon carving. Drawn back again and again by the smell of sawdust, the community spirit of North House, the boreal forest and the Big Lake, she now enjoys supporting staff and cultivating a welcoming place for all to explore the world of craft.
Martha took her first timber framing class at North house in 1998. Since then she has tried to spend as much time making shavings as possible, but also enjoys hanging out with her family and being in the wild.
Mike, another former intern, fell in love with the joys of craft at North House. He found his way back after writing about folk schools while at Marlboro College in Vermont, studying at Ronshoved Hojskole in Denmark and interning at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont. He enjoys viking metal, woodworking, reading, thoughtful design, and being near the Big Lake.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
- Front Office Host & Development Assistant
A lifelong forest dweller, Rachel grew up in Illinois, bounced around the country teaching environmental education, and landed on Minnesota's north shore in 2010. She lives on a yurt- and garden-studded homestead in the big woods with her husband and two wee children. She is inspired by the drastic changes each new season brings to the northland, and loves to knit, write, and wander through the woods.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Marketing Manager
Rae grew up surrounded by woods in rural northwest Wisconsin and moved to Grand Marais in 2016. A storyteller at heart, Rae is thrilled to help share the story of North House with the world. Rae likes challenging herself with outdoor adventures and has trekked across the Scottish Highlands, Swiss Alps, and Annapurna region (just to name a few!). She also enjoys writing fiction, spending time by Lake Superior, and crafting her own blends of tea.
Job Titles:
- Instructor
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Robin Wood is a leading green woodworker in the United Kingdom and is well-known globally through his blog posts and use of social media to celebrate the story of traditional craft. His woodworking interests range widely-traditional Japanese tea houses to Viking ships, but his passion lies most strongly in crafting useful woodenware. Robin was named 2009 Artisan of the Year by Country Living magazine in the UK and is the chair of the Heritage Crafts Association. He speaks and teaches frequently, but notes that his aim now is simply to make the very best wooden bowls and plates that bring a little quiet beauty into everyday life.
With a background in foreign language and outdoor education, Sam engages with the world as a life-long learner. She enjoys connecting with people, going new places, and making beautiful things with her hands. She is proud to support the many meaningful programs at North House. Growing up, her favorite thing was playing in the woods, and it still is. Now she has graduated from building fairy houses to building a homestead with her husband Zach.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
- Program Manager
An Oregonian with Minnesota roots, Sarah came to North House with a love of craft and community education combined with a thirst for North Shore adventures. A kid at heart, Sarah finds joy making art and playing outside. She is thrilled to be a part of the North House programs team, building community through craft.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Youth & Family Program Coordinator
With a penchant for living in the north including 7 years in southeast Alaska, Susan finally landed in Ely and taught there at the elementary school for 24 years. After retiring and as an avid student at North House Folk School, she built a home in the area to be closer to the school. Besides activities at North House, she enjoys hunting for agates and wild mushrooms as well as gardening, canoeing, and cross country skiing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Development Director
- Member of the Staff & Leadership Team
Tom grew up in the Pacific Northwest with a love of deep woods and deeper water. He enjoys working with donors to connect their passions with the vision and mission of the North House and sharing the impact of their support. Tom, his wife Lynnea, and daughter Runa enjoy family time outdoors - whether it's hiking, canoeing, fishing, or just hosting friends for something tasty out of the smoker!