News & Events

Livsreise is pleased to present this special exhibit of art by Ethel Kvalheim, Stoughton’s premier rosemaler, who lived to be 99 years old, passing away in  2004. In addition to rosemaling she was a watercolor and oil painter, and even tried painting china.

She was a member of the WI State Rosemaling Association, and was a life member of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. In 1969 the Vesterheim awarded her their first gold medal for Rosemaling. In 1971 she went on to received the King Olaf Medal of Honor for preservation of Norwegian Heritage in Rosemaling. In 1981 she received the Stoughton Community Appreciation Award. In 1989 the Smithsonian Museum awarded Ethel the National Heritage Award Fellowship. In 1990 Ethel was inducted into the Stoughton Hall of Fame. In our auditorium we will be showing two videos where she talks about her life and painting. Stop by to see the exhibit for yourself and learn all about her life and art.

(During Syttende Mai weekend we will be continuously streaming two videos that tell the story of her journey to rosemaling and let us hear her  own words  on how honed her craft. )