=Linda and Elda Schiesser were a mother and daughter team and passionate promoters of Swiss culture. Their art medium is known as scherenschnitte (pronounced Sher-en-schnit-uh), the German-Swiss folk art of paper cutting. The techniques of this art form involve cutting a continuous design from a single piece of paper, using small, sharp scissors. The paper can be folded to create symmetric designs, but it’s usually only folded once.
The art of paper cutting originated in China around 300 B.C. In the years to follow, many cultures have developed their own versions. It depends on what is used to cut, the material being cut, and the design. Swiss and German immigrants brought this folk art to America during the 1700s; the art often seen as part of birth, baptism, and marriage certificates with intricate borders, and the cuttings are unique.
While the Schiessers were on a trip to Switzerland in 1985, they found a book about this type of art. They were so captivated by it that they began to use their talents to develop many unique creations, wanting to bring that Swiss culture and tradition to their hometown of New Glarus. Since their trip in 1985, they have used their talents to create various designs. They were self-taught and applied their own special touch to both traditional and contemporary themes. Their work has been a part of many folk art exhibits and celebrations around the Midwest, on the East Coast, and in Switzerland.
Elda Schiesser first became seriously interested in scherenschnitte after purchasing a Walter Von Guten cutting at the first Wilhelm Tell Art fair in 1962. Wanting to continue this folk art, she used her commitment and creative skills to design some of her own. As she practiced and after receiving a lot of encouraging comments, her art designs became a part of many festivals, conventions, and exhibitions like the Swiss National Museum in Switzerland in 1994, the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife in Washington D.C. in 1998, and as an ornament on the White House Christmas tree in Washington D.C. in 2002. Elda continued to make cuttings until her 99th birthday before passing away in 2017.
Linda Schiesser developed her own style after retiring from a career in teaching and archival research. She was encouraged by her mother, Elda, and her designs reflected many aspects of her Swiss heritage. Her work has been displayed at the Monroe Arts Center, as well as both the Swiss Center of North America and the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus. She has also given presentations of her art to the Swiss Ambassador in Washington D.C. in 2018, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, Canada in 2020, and to the canton (state) government of Glarus, Switzerland in 2021. Linda used her educational experience to teach classes on scherenschnitte and had demonstrated this folk art at festivals and art fairs before passing away in 2025.
Linda and Elda Schiesser’s passion for their culture and this art form has brought more attention to it and helped it become a staple of the German-Swiss heritage prevalent in Green County. Pieces that both women have made are on display at the Swiss Center of North America in New Glarus.
