Ethel Kvalheim – The Top Gun of Rosemaling, by Dixie Brunner            
                 Excerpts taken from The Sons of Norway Viking, May 1991            

“Rosemaling is a Scandinavian art that arrived in America in the 1800s along with the Norwegian immigrants.  The painting was used to brighten drab home interiors, decorating ordinary objects such as kitchen utensils, trunks, furniture and ceiling beams.  Since many of Norway’s districts were isolated, different regional rosemaling styles developed.” 

“Ethel Kvalheim grew up in Stoughton, Wisconsin.  The heavily Norwegian community spawned a number of talented rosemaling artists in the early 1900s.  Her interest in rosemaling began early.  As a young girl, she’s observed a neighbor who was a skilled rosemaler.  Per Lysne (many say the premiere rosemaler of all time) had a studio in Stoughton.”  

When interviewed for The Sons of Norway Viking magazine for the May 1991 edition, she said she believes rosemaling styles should be kept separate, maintaining inherent regional characteristics.  Telemark, Hordaland and Rogaland were prevalent styles in America at the time.  Kvalheim said rosemalers will ideally copy a regional style and then add their own individual touch. 

“Ethel Kvalheim and several other women began promoting rosemaling by featuring the work of Wisconsin artists in exhibit.  The women’s early efforts in promoting rosemaling resulted in the birth of the Wisconsin Rosemalers Association.”

“Ethel Kvalheim has won so many awards for her work . . .”   “She isn’t the type to brag about winning the 1969 rosemaling gold medal from the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa.”   “. . . Norway’s St. Olaf medal in 1971.”

“The honor that sent Kvalheim’s rosemaling flying highest was one she received in 1989.”  She had won the National Endowment of the Arts Award and was flown to Washington to receive the most prestigious arts honor in the United States.  “A busload of 40 proud “Ethel fans” chartered passage to the nation’s capital to witness Kvalheim’s moment of glory.

At the evening program held in her honor, newsman Charles Kuralt interviewed Kvalheim.  While discussing her accomplishments, wall-size pictures of her work were displayed to the audience on large video screens.” 

Excerpts taken from The Sons of Norway Viking, May 1991