Vesterheim’s Benefit Auction ended at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. View final bids here www.biddingforgood.com/VEST-AUCTION.
We are very grateful to everyone who so generously bid, donated artistic creations and treasures, and shared this opportunity with family, friends, and community to support Vesterheim’s Folk Art School!
There were 159 bidders and 57 items sold, grossing $24,228.
The auction included over 50 pieces of one-of-a-kind folk-art by artists working in the Norwegian tradition. Also, the auction offered two vacation packages, including a river cruise from Viking Cruises.
Proceeds from the auction support Vesterheim’s Folk Art School, which has provided classes since 1967 in fiber arts, woodworking, painting, cooking, jewelry, blacksmithing, knifemaking, and more. At the Folk Art School, students and instructors create a community of learning and experience the joy of making something by hand.
The folk-art experience at Vesterheim doesn’t end with classes. Artists develop their skills to enter pieces in an annual judged competition, “The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition.” Pieces in the exhibition are awarded Blue, Red, and White Ribbons representing points that accumulate over successive years toward a Gold Medal.
Many of the pieces in the Benefit Auction are donated by Vesterheim Gold Medalists and exhibition ribbon winners. There are beautiful examples of rosemaling (Norwegian decorative painting) in a variety of styles, wall hanging, woodcarvings, and more.
