National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibit 2018 Winners

Vesterheim is pleased to announce the 2018 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.

Knifemaking

Scott Johnson
Atkinson, NE
Work Knife

David Susag
Lanesboro, MN
“The Other Brother” Knife

Jerry A. Rengo
Hibbing, MN
All-Purpose Knife

Jacob Johnson
Ainsworth, NE
Work Knife

Spencer Ritzen, Gold Medalist
Corcoran, MN
Silver Fish Knife

Spencer Ritzen, Gold Medalist
Corcoran, MN
Silver Fish Knife

Blue Ribbon

Kathryn Evans
Lena, IL
Card Woven Poncho

Red Ribbon

Helen Scherer
Shawnee, KS
Sæterjentens Søndag Wall Hanging

White Ribbon

Ann Vonnegut-Frieling
Telemarksteppe-Style Wall Hanging

Honorable Mention

Carol Culbertson
Evansville, WI
“Brita Remembered” Krokbragd Wall Hanging

Best in Show

Judy Ann Ness, Gold Medalist
Eugene, OR
“Playa: Impossible Sky” Krokbragd and Tapestry

People’s Choice

Helen Scherer
Shawnee, KS
Sæterjentens Søndag Wall Hanging

Woodworking

Blue Ribbons

Tod Raines
Allen, TX
Budstikke Replica

Scott Johnson
Atkinson, NE
Kolrosed Shaving Box

Red Ribbons

Cecil Parker
“Perhaps Another Cup of Coffee” Chair

Sunhild Muldbakken
Sioux Falls, SD
Acanthus-Carved Cabinet

Charles Banks
Litchfield, MN
“Ode to Axel” Carved Figures

White Ribbon:

Mike Lusk
Coon Valley, WI
Picnic Tine

Honorable Mentions:

Jeff Ward
Dover, MN
Porridge Spoon with Kolrosing

Sinita Dix
Caledonia, MN
“Kitty’s Temptations” Carved Figure

Amy Adams-Westin
St. Paul, MN
“First Night at the Ryman” Carved Figures

Taylor Johnson
Cashton, WI
Acanthus-Carved Kubbestol

Lowell Torkelson
Willmar, MN
Acanthus-Carved Shelf

Best in Show

Becky Lusk, Gold Medalist
Coon Valley, WI
“Elsa and Anna, The Real Frozen Princesses” Relief Carving

People’s Choice

Becky Lusk, Gold Medalist
Coon Valley, WI
“Elsa and Anna, The Real Frozen Princesses” Relief Carving

New Gold Medalists in Woodworking

Scott Johnson
Sunhild Muldbakken