Washington’s Almelien wins ribbons at National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition

Kathleen Almelien of Washington won a Blue Ribbon and a Red Ribbon in the annual National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School.

This judged exhibition is made possible thanks to generous support of the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Decorah Bank & Trust; the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs; and the National Endowment for the Arts. It was on display from July 2-30.

Almelien won awards in the weaving category for woven bands, one titled, “Granddaughter’s Confirmation Band” and the second “Oseberg Endless Sign Band.”

Almelien said, “I am an artist and also a teacher from Washington, Iowa. I began investigating the process and product of band weaving in 2016. I became interested in reading the Norwegian symbols that are woven into historic bands and was inspired to make my granddaughters conformation belt to protect her from harm. The protection is historically strengthened by the giving of one generation to the next.” Almelien’s second band was inspired by an intertwined protective pattern that came from the treasure trove of the Oseberg Viking ship, dated to 850 AD.

The exhibition also included knifemaking, metalworking, rosemaling, and woodworking categories. Vesterheim, which has some of the most outstanding examples of decorative and folk art in the nation, established the rosemaling exhibition in 1967 and added weaving, woodworking, knifemaking, and metalworking in later years.

Each year, judges award Blue, Red, and White Ribbons representing points that accumulate over successive exhibitions toward a Vesterheim Gold Medal. Judges also present Honorable Mention and Best of Show Awards and the public votes for People’s Choice Awards.

Judges this year for weaving were Mary Skoy, master weaver from Edina, Minnesota; Robbie LaFleur, Gold Medal weaver from St. Paul, Minnesota; and Rachelle Branum, art educator from Decorah, Iowa.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media.