Rare craftsmanship in living storytelling

03 February 2026

Last week, we celebrated Thom Kelly, who recently passed his journeyman’s exam in wood carving.

Thom has been employed at Lofotr Viking Museum since 2018, and started his education during covid. In parallel with his education, he has worked at the museum, and has been an important contribution to the development of key elements. Among other things, wood carving work both on the outside and inside of the chieftain’s house.

Figurines in the chieftain’s house carved by Thom

A journeyman’s certificate gives you the status of a skilled craftsman in a given trade. Thom has taken his specialization in wood carving at Hjerleid handicraft school in Dovre. The test itself stretched over a total of 202 hours, and was passed in mid-January.

The woodcarving profession is today a relatively small field. There are only two examiners in the subject in the whole of Norway. And according to Thom, there is on average only one person about every two years who completes a journeyman’s certificate in woodcarving. This makes his expertise very valuable, and we are very happy to have him in our professional environment at Lofotr.

For museums such as Lofotr, craftsmen with expertise are a crucial part of the work of history dissemination. Authentic buildings, details and objects require both historical understanding and precision in craftsmanship.

When the audience encounters reconstruction and an environment based on archaeological finds, it is the professional knowledge behind it that makes the experience credible, and distinguishes communication from décor.

– Department Director West Lofoten, Tore Bugge Pedersen

Photo: Hjerleid Handcraft School

THE TEST ITSELF

The journeyman’s exam consisted of making three different cuts in different styles. Two of the styles were fixed; Baroque Acanthus and Rococo, while the third was optional. Here, Thom chose a National Romantic dragon style. A style that emerged in the 1800s, inspired by early finds from the Viking Age.

The sculptures Thom carved during his journeyman’s exam. Photo: Hjerleid Handcraft School

THE WAY FORWARD

When asked about the way forward, Thom smiles. Initially, he hopes to be able to use his expertise even more actively in the coordination and implementation of activities at Lofotr Viking Museum.

He is currently also working on the development of new carved panels. These will be placed at the entrance to the chieftain’s house. The decoration is inspired by a sleigh from the Oseberg find, and will contribute to the authentic experience the museum wants to give to visitors.

Wood carving around the entrance to the chieftain’s house

We congratulate Thom Kelly very much on passing the journeyman’s exam! And thank him for sharing his expertise with both colleagues and visitors to Lofotr Viking Museum.