This year will mark 20 years that Kiri Namtvedt has worked for Department 56 and during that time Kiri has done most of the building sculpting for our many Village lines.

She sculpted prototypes for the toy industry before coming to Department 56 in 1999 as a resident sculptor. Kiri loves her work and finds that designs based on existing or historical buildings a challenge because the desire to get the intricate details is higher. “All the bricks, the colors and fine details must be accurate and make the piece look like the original.” Kiri is a member of the Minnesota Society of Sculptors and has participated in a number of juried shows both in Minnesota and in New York City.

When she’s not at work Kiri and her husband enjoy hiking, rock climbing and travelling. Kiri spends a lot of time out of doors with her big puppy, Cooper, a Bouvier des Flandres.

Department 56 the leader and gold standard in lighted collectible Villages, is part of the Enesco family of brands and is located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.