Breaking News
Local News

Minot’s festivals keep artisan coming back

By JILL SCHRAMM 4 min read

A regular exhibitor at Norsk Hostfest since 1988, Donald Karsky didn't have to think twice about bringing his weaving to Fjord Folk Fest this week. He knew he needed to return to Minot to support the new festival created after Norsk Hostfest announced 2025 was its last annual run.

"They have given us such opportunities for success," he said. "I owe it to them for the opportunities they've provided me to give them a shot."

Karsky had another reason for returning, though, and that's the camaraderie formed over the years at Hostfest with other artisans who will be joining him in the Artisan Village during Fjord Folk Fest on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22.

Karsky's colorful Scandinavian weavings and the moving parts of his machine as he weaves are attention getters.

Although neither he nor his wife were Scandinavian, when a traveling show, New Sweden '88, came to Taylors Falls, Minnesota, to celebrate Swedish heritage, they and other community artists jumped in to be part of it. The year 1988 was the 350th anniversary of the arrival in Delaware of two ships to establish New Sweden, the first permanent settlement of Swedes in North America.

Karsky had outbid a competitor at a 1972 auction to buy an antique loom for $2.50 - a final, quick sale called by the auctioneer before rain ended the event.

"It wasn't set up and nobody knew if it was all there," he said of the loom.

"I love working with my hands, building stuff, anything tactile," said Karsky, who was a drummer in bands before turning to weaving. "I was amazed that a few moving parts and string could be turned into fabric so easily."

He and his wife, who died last year, had the idea to weave Swedish flags for the Swedish celebration, which went over so well that they were invited to participate in another event in Minneapolis. There they met Pam Davy, former executive director for Norsk Hostfest, who invited them to Minot.

Karsky participated in the Hostfest in the Schools program, bringing along a small loom for the children to try out, and has traveled to numerous shows with his loom to demonstrate and sell his weavings.

"I have taught many, many people to weave," he said.

For about five years, he traveled to Norsk Hostfest with his original loom before deciding to keep it safely at home. He had a replica loom made that he began taking to shows in 1991.

He has created his own weaving designs, which keeps the craft interesting, he said. One of his latest creations incorporates a pattern of flag designs of the five Scandinavian countries. His Wisconsin business, Karsky’s Kraft creates ethnic flags, table runners, placemats, coasters and more.

Karsky said he and his wife used to do 50 shows a year, but he's pretty much retired from that business now. As he's cut back, he's dropped all the shows except for Minot's.

"You're just the best to come to," he said. "Minot has always been the best show."

A fellow musician, bass guitarist Carl Unbehaun, joined Karsky in Minot last year and is back this year to assist at the weaving booth. Unbehaun said he had so much fun on his first trip that he wrote a song called "Going to Minot."

The song describes his drive from his home in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Minot and his experience at Norsk Hostfest, with the repeated refrain, "I'm going to Minot."

"I've got to pronounce it right, too," he said of the way the locals say Minot.

When he learned Fjord Folk Fest had formed, he added more to the song, which now has a run time of more than six minutes, he said. He hasn't had a chance to record it due to hand issues that have limited his ability to play the song, but he plans to eventually have a recording to share.

Starting at /week.