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Staying Connected to the American Swedish Institute
Dear ASI Friends and Supporters,
Sk?na Maj, V?lkommen is a traditional Swedish choral tune that celebrates spring with these evocative lyrics: "... to your glory roar our silver streams and with grateful tongue a thousand birds sing like us: Welcome, beautiful May!"
Indeed, as we welcome May into our communities, the blooming flower beds, budding trees and bushes are familiar signs of spring, yet much of life these days is unfamiliar. But this season still gives hope, for we choose to remain optimistic for the day that the American Swedish Institute will be able to safely reopen its doors.
At the same time, we are mindful that many are struggling with the various challenges brought on by this pandemic - from the stress of sheltering at home and trying to remain employed or in business to surviving a virus-related illness or the loss of a loved one. Surely, we are all in this together, and we trust you are taking good care to remain safe and healthy.
During these past weeks, we have been working creatively to extend our programming and resources to you via the web and social media. Our colleagues also have been thinking through how we might best reopen (whenever that may be) in a manner which first and foremost has everyone''s health and safety uppermost in mind. We have created new paths of service to community before, and we are determined to create a "new normal" that respects our tradition and mission while acknowledging the challenges inherent in this moment of time.
We at ASI also are extremely gratified by the unwavering support and compassion that has been demonstrated by the many messages and gifts from members and friends in the local, national and international community. We take comfort in knowing that ASI has value and meaning to so many. Tack s? hemskt mycket! Thank you so very much.
Your support enables us to continue to care for our campus and to be of service to our wide audiences through online classes and workshops as well as digital exhibition content. You also make it possible for us to weigh various long-term plans for our most important responsibility - to be stewards of the historic Turnblad Mansion, which will need considerable preservation and renovation work in the years ahead.
Thankfully, we are among the local cultural organizations that have gained support through the federal Payroll Protection Plan, which supplements our community''s generous giving and extends our capacity until we can again be a gathering place that draws us together. When that happens, our much-missed volunteers, associates at FIKA and colleagues on our visitor services, programming and Museum Store teams will be here to greet you.
For now, however, see below for some highlights and activities that you can read, see or do from the comfort of your own home. We are offering online Makers Mornings, virtual language classes, do-at-home activity web pages packed with ideas for young people, and suggestions for doing an at-home Cocktails at the Castle party.
For those who have not yet had a chance to see it, we also are pleased to announce that we have extended the run dates of our extra/ordinary exhibition to remain on view through November 1.
Looking ahead, for many the opportunity to celebrate Midsommar is a June highlight, and ASI has sponsored a wonderful family-focused celebration for many years. We hope you understand that safety concerns this year necessitate that we not hold an event on our campus as originally planned on June 20. But don''t despair! We will be offering lots of tips and advice so that you can create your own Midsommar at home. Look for more information on our ASImn.org website, on social media and in our e-newsletters.
You might say that we are channeling the resiliency and innovative spirit (and frugality!) of immigrants who arrived before us, both long ago and recently, facing an uncertain future, yet willing to try new things and staying connected with one another. Your support is vital, and to the extent to which you are able, we hope that you might consider making a special gift to ASI in any amount. Although our doors are shut for the time being, we remain an important contributor to our community in so many ways. Thank you for patronage. Take good care of yourselves and one another.
Tack f?r allt,
Bruce Karstadt
President/CEO
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Cocktails at the Castle Goes Virtual on May 15
Party with us ... at home!
Friday, May 15
All-Day Online Event, until 7 p.m.
When you can''t party at the Castle, we bring the party to you!
In this special iteration of Cocktails at the Castle, you can participate in fun, interactive activities all day long. Check our website for updates and to register for one of our virtual happy hour sessions - it''s all free! We''ll be providing activities (boat races and fort building, anyone?) along with special recipes for you to make while you''re Cocktails-ing from home.
We have your tunes covered too - curated playlists from Little Fevers, Andy Cook, Green/Blue and Transmission''s DJ Jake Rudh will be posted the day of the event. Save the date for our next Cocktails at the Castle on September 11 to see this lineup live!
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Transatlantic Dreaming: A Virtual Talk with Professor Dag Blanck
Wednesday, May 20, 1-2 p.m Central Time
Dag Blanck, Uppsala University Professor and Director of the Swedish Institute for North American Studies, will join us virtually to discuss how Sweden and the U.S. have influenced each other over the years. Blanck, who has been interviewed by journalists thousands of times, has become one of the most sought-after experts in the media regarding U.S. and Swedish relations.
FREE for ASI members / $5 non-members. Register here.
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Get creative with virtual Nordic Handcraft & Nordic Table programs.
FREE for ASI Members!
From dye plants to kringlor, roll up your sleeves at home and learn through classes offered via Zoom web video conferencing. Log-in instructions will be emailed in advance.
Nordic Handcraft: Start a Dye Garden with Maddy Bartsch
Thursday, May 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Learn about growing dye plants for naturally dyeing yarn, fabric and other textiles at home. Join Maddy to find out how to grow, harvest, store and use dye plants. There will be lots of time for extra tips and questions.
FREE for ASI members / $5 non-members. Register here.
Nordic Table:
Kringles and Kringlor with Patrice Johnson
Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Uncover the origins and variations of the kringle while Patrice demonstrates two of her favorite versions. She will provide recipes in advance and go over tips and tricks to bake the perfect kringle at home.
FREE for ASI members / $5 non-members. Register here.
Nordic Handcraft: Grown-Up Collages with Kayla McDaniels
Tuesday, May 26, 6-7 p.m.
Play with color, pattern and design while creating a collage worthy of display! Work virtually alongside Minnesota-based illustrator Kayla, who will share fun, "springy" inspiration to get your creative ideas flowing. Registrants will receive a list of suggested tools and materials to gather in advance.
FREE for ASI members / $5 non-members. Register here.
Continue joining us for our Virtual Makers Mornings every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30. They''re free to join, but we need registrations in advance to set up the Zoom meetings!
Watch for new virtual Summer Language Offerings starting in June. Registration will open May 5 - check the website for details!
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Virtual Tour of extra/ordinary
Explore the exhibition from home
It''s ASI at home! Find the extra in the ordinary with our virtual slideshow tour of extra/ordinary: The American Swedish Institute. At Play. Follow the curious cast of characters from the book A to Z??? as they explore the objects and rooms in the exhibition.
Read other stories inspired by the exhibition, and share your own with us on social media by tagging #ExtraInTheOrdinary or email them to info@asimn.org.
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New! Youth & Family Online
Resource Pages
Learn and play at home!
Has an ASI Youth & Family program inspired curiosity about Swedish or Nordic culture? Nurture your child''s development and sense of adventure through our new online resource pages. ASI has curated lists of books, activities, crafts and more for you and your family to learn from the comfort of your own home. Share experiences related to themes informed by enduring links to Sweden.
Check out our Online Resource pages!
- Vikings Rule!
- Pippi Longstocking
- Natur (Nature)
- Sl?jd (Handcraft)
Share your family craft or activity by tagging @AmSwedInstitute in your Instagram posts/Stories, or mentioning the @AmericanSwedishInstitute on Facebook!
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New! Spring Gift Packages from the ASI Museum Store
Celebrate spring with gift packages available for special order drop-shipping through the ASI Museum Store. For more information or to place an order, please contact Claire at clairel@asimn.org or call 612-870-3363 Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Plus, Mother''s Day is just around the corner - these make great gifts!
Felt Flower Bouquet
Brighten up the day with a bouquet of flowers that will always stay fresh. Handmade, fair trade and 100% wool, this bouquet of 12" stems includes 7 large flowers, 3 small flowers and 2 leaf branches in assorted colors.
$50.00
Spring Flowers Swedish Dishcloth Package
Reusable Swedish dishcloths are the perfect way to keep your kitchen clean. Able to hold up to 20 times their own weight in liquid, these dishcloths are durable and eco-friendly. This package includes five dishcloths with assorted floral spring designs.
$30.00
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#GiveAtHomeMN
May 1-8 Week-long Charitable Campaign
The week of May 1-8 is #GiveAtHomeMN, a special opportunity for all of us to support the institutions that enrich our lives and our communities. Like many organizations across Minnesota, ASI is being drastically affected by the challenges of COVID-19. Shortly after opening our extra/ordinary exhibition this past February, which celebrates our 90th anniversary, we closed our campus in response to our quickly changing reality. Educational programs and cultural experiences continue online for now.
Through all of this, we remain committed to our role in bringing people together. We look to you for support during #GiveAtHomeMN to survive this unprecedented time and be prepared for the moment we can reopen our doors. Please consider making a contribution, becoming a member or renewing your membership today. Thank you!
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From our Friends at the Nordic Museum
Virtual Nordic Innovation Summit 2020
Thursday, May 14, 6:30 - 9:30 a.m. (CT)
The reimagined Innovation Summit, now a free online event hosted on the National Nordic Museum''s YouTube Channel, features top voices on sustainability, growth and corporate leadership in the Nordic countries and the Pacific Northwest. Participants include the Minister of Regional Development and Digitalization from Norway, and representatives from Scania, the AI Sustainability Center in Stockholm and the presenter Ericsson. Free, but RSVP recommended. Anyone interested can sign up to attend.
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Connect to ASI through Social Media:
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We miss seeing you at the museum, but hope that you interact with the American Swedish Institute digitally through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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| extra/ordinary is produced by the American Swedish Institute. Lead support provided by IKEA. Major support provided by the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Karin Larson, Leslie Nelson, Lisa Paulson, Mike and Barb Nelson, Joanne Reisberg, Chris and Chick Lane, Laurie Jacobi and Cotty Lowry, Willow Hagens, and ASI''s members and donors. ASI''shotel partner is the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. The exhibition''s media partner is the Star Tribune.
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Minnesota artist activity is made possible by voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.
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