Footnotes

Scandinavian Music

An acoustic string band playing primarily Norwegian-American old time dance tunes that were popular at house parties, barn dances, and "bowery" dances around the turn of the century and into the first few decades of the 1900s. They were formed in large part to carry on a tradition of monthly old time dances in a rustic two-room schoolhouse in Highlandville, Iowa, where area residents have been gathering for years. The dance tunes originate from descendants of the area's early fiddlers and are performed in the Norwegian-American style.

Craig Bergsgaard

Bronze

I believe I was meant to be an artist…though it took me a while to get the hint. A friend of mine suggested in the mid-1990’s that I give sculpting a try. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt with the art form. I have never really looked back: In 2004 I made the move from part-time to full-time artist. I have created two installation in Viking Memorial Park in Spring Grove, Minnesota, both paying homage to the Scandinavian heritage of the area where I grew up. A life sized viking, “Quest” was placed in the park in May 2000; “Ola and Per” (created in the image of the native cartoonist Peter Rosendahl) were installed later.

www.craigbergsgaard.com

Harvey Langseth

Wood

A second generation carver who learned the art from his two uncles. Langseth first started carving kobbestol (a Norwegian chair carved from a large section of log). Twenty-two years later this master carver has expanded his carving to include beautifully handcrafted furniture in traditional Norwegian designs.

Ann Karen

Scandinavian Inspired Jewelry

Artist statement coming soon…

Geraldine Schwarz

Our Natural Treasure: Genevieve Kroshus

“Her voice, hinting of her  Norwegian ancestry and a little scratchy with age, rises clearly from these pages and pictures. Genevieve has lots of stories. Genevieve always makes us laugh.”