Gold Medal Rosemaler teaches class in Clearbrook

Norda Gonvick Rosemalers that meets every week in the Good Shepherd Church in Clearbrook had a special event last week. Ken Magnussen, a Gold Medal Rosemaler taught a 3-day “Old Rogaland Style” workshop for those who attended. Magnussen, who is of Norwegian and Danish decent, started in 1975 with a book that a friend had given him on rosemaling. That did not work and he went on to take classes in his hometown of Zumbrota.  It took him until 2000 when he started winning ribbons at the national competition in Decorah, Iowa. He received Best in Show for a cabinet that he did. By 2003 he had won enough points to receive Gold Medal honors for his rosemaling. 

Vesterheim awards Gold Medals to artists who have repeatedly won ribbons in the annual National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition. An artist earns a Gold Medal when they accumulate 8 points: blue-ribbon pieces earn three points, red-ribbon pieces earn two points, and white-ribbon pieces earn a single point.

Decorah is the location of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum which includes historic buildings, a Folk Art School and library.

Magnussen is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and retired as a veterinarian. He said that after working with the Norda Gonvick group for three days he was ready to rest. 

He has been teaching in several states besides Minnesota including North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and California. The Norda Gonvick group received a grant provided by the Region 2 Arts Council through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature to put on the  workshop. 

Area residents were invited to join them for a cup of coffee and some Scandinavian Goodies and to view some rosemaling.  They displayed a variety of styles from the group and several items that Magnussen had completed.