The NW Star Award is Given to Rebecca Rosenkrans

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Rebecca (Becky) Rosenkrans of Roseau received the Northwest Star Award. The award was presented to Rosenkrans on Saturday, April 25 at Warroad RiverPlace in Warroad during the NW Art Exhibit Awards Reception and Program.

Rosenkrans was given the NW Star Award for her jewelry artistry. Rebecca (or Becky) has been creating one-of-a-kind jewelry for over 30 years. Becky handcrafts new pieces of jewelry or recreates old into new with Greek and Italian leather, beads, crafted chain maille, glass, stone, silver, crystal, and vintage goods. She readily shares her knowledge, creativity, and talents and is a tireless advocate for fellow artists. She is the owner of Bead Gypsy, a shop in Roseau where handmade goods and original art from over 20 artists are sold. The store is a haven for artists and arts lovers who live and visit the region.

Originally from Roseau, Rosenkrans grew up in a family of artists, including her mother Frances Karlsson who was a well-known painter from the region. For over 14 years Becky worked with the court system as a Guardian ad Litem. She had always loved jewelry and found that creating it helped her relieve stress and worry from that position. Becky is a self-taught jewelry designer, though she has since taken courses at the Milan Village Art School in silversmithing, precious metal clay, and copper jewelry making. She especially enjoys creating the design and repurposing items. An example of this is when her husband discovered her mom’s copper boiler buried behind the garage. Becky and her siblings bathed in this boiler as toddlers and later used it to soak their clothes before washing as they grew up. After digging up the vessel, Becky flattened it out and created hundreds of pieces of jewelry from it. She admitted, “it was the most fun I’ve had.”

Becky’s jewelry skills are well-known, as is the creativity that goes into making the pieces. Debbie Dahl Aune shared, “Becky creates her own designs; she up-cycles, recycles and ingeniously brings new materials together with vintage to make unique jewelry. She once collected old, galvanized steel from the old, torn down Roseau grain elevator and made earrings.”

In their nomination letter, Tami Osweiler and Sue Carstens shared, “Becky's creations are always one of a kind. Sometimes she makes vintage jewelry into something new and unique. She has been known to cut apart vintage cookie tins and brass containers to create unique earrings. She reshapes old silverware to magically transform into beautiful pendants and bracelets. She has fulfilled many requests from locals to create a new piece from a family heirloom or to restore a broken piece of old jewelry. Becky is deserving of this lifetime artist award not only because of her 30-year history with creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry; but also, because she works hard at advocating for other area artists.”

On Becky’s passion and commitment to supporting other artists, Tallie Habstritt and Sheila Winstead explained, “Becky has reached out to painters, glassworkers, woodworkers and others and has encouraged them to display and market their art within her shop. But more than that, her encouragement and enthusiasm for art of all kinds helps others to see the value in the product they have been creating. Her store also provides a space where artists have the opportunity to hear suggestions and feedback from both customers and other artists, which makes it possible for artists to potentially increase their skills and their customer base. Becky also encourages artists to use her store as a place to demonstrate their art. As a bonus, a welcoming atmosphere, a cup of coffee, and a comfortable spot at the table are always a part of Becky’s store. Everyone is truly welcomed and encouraged. Becky is a wonderful example of someone who is an advocate of the arts.”

Becky has advice for aspiring artists. “Just try and if you fail that is ok. Come and ask me and I’ll help you.” About the impact that the arts has on individuals and society, Becky explained, “It’s huge. I gage that from the artists I have in my shop and my own passion. When you have the ability to create and you share with someone else, it is so fulfilling. It gives artists joy and fulfillment to show others and share their creations.”

The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive it once as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star comes from The McKnight Foundation. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.

Congratulations, Becky!