Senator Joni Ernst toured the new Vesterheim Commons building in Decorah Friday

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst toured the still-under-construction Vesterheim Commons in Decorah Friday. The tour was part of Sen. Ernst's commitment to visit all 99 counties in Iowa "river to river, from the Mississippi to the Missouri" each year. Members of the Vesterheim staff and Board of Trustees as well as several community stakeholders, including Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski and Winneshiek County Supervisors Shirley Vermace and Mark Faldet, were also in attendance. The private tour was led by Vesterheim Vice President of Development Diane Wagner, who explained critical design and construction features of the building to Sen. Ernst as the group walked through each space. Wagner discussed the focus on sustainability and community engagement, the mix of old and new materials and structures, and the attempt to merge indoor spaces with the outdoors through the use of large windows and open patios and terraces. Sen. Ernst was impressed by the whole building and commented on the beauty of the architecture and the thoughtfulness that went into the planning of the spaces and the location. "I think it's fabulous," she said. "I'm really so thankful. I think preserving heritage is so important, so I just love that they have the campus situated the way they do but then they are able to bring this new element here." The senator was especially interested in the educational spaces in the new Commons building. Vesterheim Director of Folk Art Education Andrew Ellingsen guided Sen. Ernst through the new educational spaces, including the new artifact collection study room and the digital production studio that will be used to elevate the already popular digital folk art classes offered through the Vesterheim Folk Art School. "I love the idea of the folk art classes and just being able to instruct people and keep some of that alive. I think that's incredibly important, especially for a community like Decorah," Sen. Ernst said. "I come from a Swedish community and I know how important that is for the people in my community, so I am really glad to see it." Sen. Ernst was also curious about the online courses offered and mentioned several times that she would love to take a folk art class online. When asked directly if she would like to take a folk art class through the Vesterheim, she responded with a resounding, "Yes." "I really would be interested [in taking a class]. My grandmother did oil painting. She was a farm wife and that was the hobby that she could do when she wasn't chasing after children and doing chores. I loved that about my grandmother. I've got a few of her paintings, but I was thinking this would be such a great opportunity to do things like that." The senator's visit was important for both the Vesterheim and the city of Decorah. "We're just really honored that [Sen. Ernst] took the time to come to the museum to see the new building," Wagner said. "We're very proud of the new building and to have the opportunity to show it off and to have someone of her status come through, it elevates the importance of this building and what it means to Decorah." City of Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski agreed. "I was thrilled to be part of the tour and to have Sen. Joni Ernst in our community and to show her the potential for our community both economically and culturally," she said. At the conclusion of the tour, Sen. Ernst once again emphasized the beauty of the building and the city of Decorah and surrounding communities. "You have a beautiful community. You are very lucky," she said. "I can't wait to see [the Vesterheim Commons building] when it's all done and open!" The Vesterheim Commons Dedication and Opening Celebration will take place Saturday, September 30, 2023, beginning at 1:30 p.m. To learn more about the Vesterheim Commons visit https://strongrootsboldfuture.org/blog/.