Vesterheim is pleased to announce the 2024 National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition ribbon winners and Gold Medalists! Congratulations to everyone who participated.

Each year, artists enter their pieces in the exhibition and are awarded Blue, Red, and White Ribbons representing points that accumulate over successive years toward a Gold Medal. Judges also present Honorable Mention and Best of Show Awards. Visitors are invited to vote for People’s Choice Awards.

Ribbon winners and Gold Medalists are announced in conjunction with Nordic Fest, Decorah’s city-wide celebration of Norwegian heritage, which is held the last full weekend of July.

The exhibition is made possible thanks to generous support of the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Knifemaking

New Gold Medalists in Knifemaking
Jeffrey J. Ward

Red Ribbon

Jeffrey J. Ward
Dover, MN
Sloyd Knife with Damascus Blade

Honorable Mention

Jeffrey J. Ward
Dover, MN
Green Brukskniv Knife

Best of Show

John Drewes
Red Wing, MN
Hattutuppipuukko (Hat-Sheath Knife)

People’s Choice

Scott Johnson, Gold Medalist
Atkinson, NE
Sámi-style Puukko Knife

Knifemaking Judges

Erik Dutcher
Kjetil (KJ) Groven

Metalworking

People’s Choice

Paul Rohrbacher
Monticello, IA
Mastermyr Find Bells

Metalworking Judges

Erik Dutcher
Kjetil (KJ) Groven

Rosemaling

New Gold Medalists in Rosemaling
Lisa Anderson
Lise Lorentzen
Tonya Mandy 

Blue Ribbons 

Lisa Anderson
Nelsonville, WI
Valdres-style Ambar  

Ken Dresang 
Madison, WI
Telemark-style Sleigh 

Tonya Mandy
Rapid City, SD
“Dylan” Telemark-style Bowl 

Tonya Mandy 
Rapid City, SD
Hallingdal-style Box 

Red Ribbons 

Lisa Anderson
Nelsonville, WI
“Dragon” Gudbrandsdal-style Plate 

Beth Janetski 
Cross Plains, WI
Os-style Ale Bowl

Jerry Johnson
Stoughton, WI
Telemark-style Mirror

Lise Lorentzen 
Bel Air, MD
Telemark-style Corner Hutch

Tonya Mandy
Rapid City, SD
“Salvation Army” Hallingdal-style Bowl

White Ribbons 

Kristen Birkeland
Salt Lake City, UT
Telemark-style Christmas Tree

Kristen Birkeland
Salt Lake City, UT
Telemark-style Box on Stand  

Cathy Castellanos
Marietta, SC
“Visit to Edalstunet” Viksdal-style Bentwood Box 

Jerry Johnson
Stoughton, WI
Telemark-style Plate 

Tonya Mandy
Rapid City, SD
Telemark-style Tine 

Robert Speckmann
The Villages, FL
Os-style Plate

Jill Willems
Iola, WI
Hallingdal-style Shallow Bowl

Jill Willems
Iola, WI
Hallingdal-style Tray

Honorable Mentions 

Kristine Myhre Barton
Afton, MN
“Koi Pond” Telemark-style 

Carol Bender
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Numedal-style Bowl   

Ken Dresang
Madison, WI
Valdres-style Chest

Elizabeth Estep
Tacoma, WA
Vest Agder-style Wedding Ambar 

Cathy Koball
Grand Meadow, MN
Gudbrandsdal-style Cabinet 

Lise Lorentzen
Bel Air, MD
Telemark-style Pedestal Bowl 

Best in Show 

Tonya Mandy
Rapid City, SD
“Dylan” Telemark-style Bowl  

People’s Choice

Kristen Birkeland
Salt Lake City, UT
Telemark-style Christmas Tree

Rosemaling Judges 

Jan Norsetter
Pam Rucinski
Elliot Taillon

Weaving

New Gold Medalists in Weaving
Carol Culbertson

Blue Ribbons 

Carol Culbertson
Evansville, WI
Vest in Danskbrogd Technique 

Red Ribbons 

Kathleen Doyle Almelien
Washington, IA
Young Boy’s Woven Stocking Bands 

White Ribbon 

Carol Culbertson
Evansville, WI
“Stained Glass” Wall Hanging in Krokbragd Technique

Helen Scherer
Shawnee, KS
“Medieval Monuments” 

Best in Show 

Carol Culbertson
Evansville, WI
Vest
in Danskbrogd Technique 

People’s Choice
Helen Scherer
Shawnee, KS
“Medieval Monuments”

Weaving Judges 

Wendy Stevens
Mary Skoy 

Woodworking

New Gold Medalists in Woodworking
Roger Abrahamson
David Susag

Blue Ribbons 

Roger Abrahamson
Minneapolis, MN
Dragon-style Ale Bowl 

Wesley Hathaway
Barronett, WI
Sugar Maple Eating Spoon 

Wesley Hathaway
Barronett, WI
“Nothing Lasts Forever” Chip-Carved Mangle Board 

Red Ribbons 

David Susag
Lanesboro, MN
“Dobbeltbeger” Double Wedding Cup 

Roger Abrahamson
Minneapolis, MN
“Primstav Winter Side” Ale Bowl 

Roger Abrahamson
Minneapolis, MN
“Primstav Summer Side” Ale Bowl

White Ribbons  

Mike Lusk
Coon Valley, WI
Octagon Bentwood Box 

David Susag
Lanesboro, MN
“Berger” Goblet with Captive Rings 

Wesley Hathaway
Barronett, WI
Acanthus-carved Serving Spoon

Troy Nelson
Austin, TX
“Autumn Leaves” Chip-carved Plate 

Mary V. Tripoli
Seattle, WA
Turned Locking-Lid Box 

Bill Rickard
Ames, IA
Shrinkbox with Fluted Sides 

Jefferey J. Ward
Dover, MN
“Brukskniv”Carved Spreader

John Manthei
Fairbanks, AK
Four-lobed Bentwood Box

Honorable Mentions 

Bill Rickard
Ames, IA
Heart Bentwood Box 

Paul Anderson
Minneapolis, MN
Box Elder Hand-carved Bowl 

Richard Barber
Kingston, IL
Chip-carved Three-leg Chair

Taylor Johnson
Cashton, WI
Acanthus-carved Kubbestol

Maeve Gathje
Rochester, MN
“The King Will See You Now” Gameboard 

Mary V. Tripoli
Seattle, WA
Turned Butter Box with Lid  

David Susag
Lanesboro, MN
Turned Cherry Bowl

Troy Nelson
Austin, TX
“Circles All Around” Chip-Carved Plate

Best in Show 

Phillip Odden, Gold Medalist
Barronett, WI
Dragon-style Carved Kubbestol

People’s Choice 

Phillip Odden, Gold Medalist
Barronett, WI
Dragon-style Carved Kubbestol

Woodworking Judges 

Becky Lusk
James Miller
Elliot Taillon