Vesterheim is one of best places to see Nordic art, artifacts

Each summer the Vesterheim hosts the National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition.

The annual judged exhibition of original woodworking, knifemaking, rosemaling, and weaving by contemporary artists from all over the country is one of the reasons USA Today recently named the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center in Decorah one of 10 great places in the nation to view folk art.

This year, 160 pieces by 108 artists from 16 states will be on display from June 12 to July 25.

'With brand new pieces every year by both returning and first-time artists, this exhibition is an incredibly inspiring show,” said Laurann Gilbertson, Vesterheim's Chief Curator.

As part of the exhibition, artists compete for ribbons. Judges award blue, red and white ribbons representing points that accumulate over successive exhibitions toward a Vesterheim Gold Medal. Judges also present Honorable Mention Awards and Best of Show Awards. Visitors vote for People's Choice Awards. Ribbons are placed next to winning entries on July 24, opening day of Decorah's Nordic Fest celebration.

Artists may choose to offer their pieces for sale by silent auction. Bidding begins on July 23 at 9 a.m. and ends on July 25 at 4 p.m. Bids must be placed in person. There will be free admission all day on July 2 for Free First Thursday and on July 23.

With 24,000 artifacts and 12 historic buildings the Vesterheim has the most comprehensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world. This treasure is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in authentic Norwegian folk art every year.

For more information, go to www.vesterheim.org, call (563) 382-9681, or write to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.