Monday, September 16, 2024
It is a friendship that was founded through art, as an ancient Scandinavian art form brought together a group of women who may have never known each other had it not been for rosemaling.
Juel Krueger, who has been rosemaling since 1976 and is attributed with bringing the art form back to the Iola-Scandinavia area, started rosemaling simply as an excuse to get out of the house, where she had six children.
“I needed something to do and since I have an art background, I decided to try rosemaling. I didn’t even know what it was then. I just loved it,” Krueger said. “It is so interesting how life goes on and you do something you never thought you’d do.”
Eventually she went on to teaching rosemaling through the Fox Valley Technical College. She set up her studio in her home where she had students who signed up for classes come in and learn the art form.
Over her time teaching rosemaling she has had more than 350 students. When she stopped in 2020 because of Covid, some of the women she taught eventually started meeting and continued on with the Scandinavian art form after Covid.
“I’m just thinking I was 45 when I started. I’m 91 now. And it’s still going,” Krueger said. “It’s pretty amazing.”
International competition
Two of Krueger’s students entered their art work into an international competition at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa.
For this competition, artists turn in roemaling pieces in hopes to win a ribbon. A blue ribbon, first place, is worth three points, a red ribbon, second place, is worth two points, and a white ribbon, third place, is worth one point.
Once an artist reaches eight points they get a gold medal, which is what Lisa Anderson took home after this year’s competition.
Anderson has been rosemaling for 10 years, starting with Krueger and then taking more classes in Stoughton.
Receiving a gold medal from the Vesterheim is the highest honor bestowed upon a rosemaler and is an international recognition of an artists work.
Anderson said she did not have an artistic background, but fell in love with the art form.
“I’m thrilled. I’m just thrilled and honored,” Anderson said.
Jill Willems, who recently retired as an art teacher from the Iola-Scandinavia School District, also won two third-place ribbons, which equates to two points on the way to receiving her gold medal.
This is her first win at the Vesterheim. Willems has been rosemaling since September 2016.
Willems said she is planning on concentrating on getting a gold medal in retirement, as well as continuing rosemaling classes where Krueger left off.
“[Krueger] is largely responsible for keeping the art form alive in Wisconsin,” Anderson said. “We’re all very passionate about rosemaling, but it’s also just the friendship.”
Willems agreed.
“[Krueger] is important to our group because most of us got our start with her,” Willems said.
The Iola rosemaling group has also continued the tradition of the Christmas Scandinavian Boutique which was started by Krueger.
The sale originally was held in Krueger’s living room, after a while it became so busy it had to be moved with its current location at Trinity Lutheran Church, 206 East Badger Street.
Krueger said her goal was to sell $1,000 the first year she had the sale. They ended up selling $5,000.
This year the boutique will be held Nov. 23, complete with rosmaling pieces, Scandinavian treats for sale and many more craft items.
The women will also be getting together for National Rosemaling Day which is the second Saturday in September, which the club intends to paint all day in celebration.
