Harley Refsal

Harley Refsal is an internationally recognized figure carver, specializing in Scandinavian flat-plane wood carving.

Raised in Minnesota, he has lived in Norway in the 1960s and 1980s, and traveled extensively throughout Scandinavia. Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian, has shared his knowledge of and skills in Scandinavian carving with thousands of carvers through courses and presentations in North America and Scandinavia and has appeared as guest woodcarver on the Prairie Home Companion. After retiring from teaching at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa in 2010, he is now Professor Emeritus of Scandinavian Folk Art.

  • Harley Refsal
    Harley Refsal
  • Harley Refsal, Haugbui, Nisse, and Tomte, 2013. Madison Metro photograph
    Harley Refsal, Haugbui, Nisse, and Tomte, 2013. Madison Metro photograph
  • Harley Refsal, Newlyweds, 2013, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Newlyweds, 2013
  • Harley Refsal, Troll Queen and King, 2011, wood sculpture figurines
    Harley Refsal, Troll Queen and King, 2011
  • Harley Refsal, Lars & Kari, 2009, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Lars & Kari, 2009
  • Harley Refsal, Going Fishing, 2013, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Going Fishing, 2013
  • Harley Refsal, Java John, 2013, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Java John, 2013
  • Harley Refsal, Farmhand, 2013, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Farmhand, 2013
  • Harley Refsal, Tomte, 2013, wood sculpture figurine
    Harley Refsal, Tomte, 2013