Join artist Carl Homstad for online tour Tuesday with Vesterheim Museum in Decorah

DECORAH — Artist Carl Homstad continues online virtual tours and live question and answer sessions on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in connection with the exhibition “An Artist’s Journey: Carl Homstad, 50 Years” at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School. The free event requires preregistration. Sign up at vesterheim.org to receive a Zoom link.

The retrospective exhibition covers 50 years of Homstad’s work. It highlights three passages or journeys — his travel journey, his journey as a career artist, and his journey through life as a person.

Homstad’s virtual tour events correspond with one of his exhibit journey themes, and this tour focuses on his journey as a career artist. The third virtual tour will be on May 10 and will focus on his journey through life.

“Homstad’s virtual tours are delightful and we’re excited that he’ll be sharing more about being a career artist,” said Vesterheim Chief Curator Laurann Gilbertson. “Whether you are already a fan of his art or new to his work, Carl will give you something to think about from artist technique to life philosophy. His prints and paintings are always a joy to view,” she added.

Homstad also is teaching a class in person at Vesterheim Folk Art School from April 28 to May 1. In “Making A Woodcut Print,” students will learn the basics of black and white woodcut printmaking and an introduction to color woodcuts, including basic relief carving techniques and inking and printing skills. Registration is online at vesterheim.org/folk-art-school and local residents can apply to receive a 60 percent discount on standby basis.

Born in Denver, Colo., Homstad attended Luther College in Decorah. After graduating with a BA in art in 1973, he stayed in northeast Iowa. His journey as an artist, though, has taken him across the world while exploring media from carved woodcut prints to watercolor and oil paintings.

Homstad is an award-winning artist who has exhibited in numerous juried and invitational shows. His work is in the permanent collections of several Midwest institutions, including Vesterheim. His murals are on walls in more than 30 communities, and he also has supervised more than 100 murals in public schools.

This exhibit will be on view at Vesterheim through May 30. The museum currently is open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.