Northwest Star Artist Winners: Lifetime achievement award
2024 Betsy Saurdiff, Grygla, pottery
2023 Northwest Star Artist: Cathy Erickson, Middle River, music
2022 Northwest Star Artist: LaVonne Forsberg, Thief River Falls, painting and stained glass
2021 Northwest Star Artist: Donald Kakaygeesick, Warroad, painting and Ojibwe culture leader and teacher
2020 Northwest Star Artist: Joe Wavra, Red Lake Falls, wood carving
2019 Northwest Star Artist: George French, Crookston, piano and organ music
2018 Northwest Star Artist: James Kent, Crookston, in vocal music and community arts support
2017 Northwest Star Artist: Annelee Woodstrom, Ada in writing
2016 Northwest Star Artist: Barbara Geer, Middle River in performing arts
2015 Northwest Star Artist: Karen Engevik, Roseau in pottery
2013 Northwest Star Artist: Jane Anderson, Thief River Falls in theater and singing
Of the Year Award Winner List (Artist and Arts Advocate)
2024 Arts Advocate: Rom Ogaard, Crookston
2024 Artist: Randy Larson, Gatzke, music
2023 Arts Advocate: Bonnie Stewart, Fosston
2023 Artist: Debbie Dahl Aune, Gatzke, visual arts
2022 Arts Advocate: Philip McKenzie, Thief River Falls, musician and advocate
2022 Artist: Ross Hier, Crookston, painting
2021 Artist Advocate: Ann Novacek, Greenbush
2021 Artist: Connie Nelson, Hallock, visual and performance arts
2020 Arts Advocate: Bruce Piersol, Red Lake Falls
2020 Artist: Rob Burkel, Thief River Falls, theater arts
2019 Arts Advocate: Sherri Kukowski, Badger
2019 Artist: Jean Honl, Roseau in rosemaling
2018 Arts Advocate: Betsy Saurdiff, Grygla and Goodridge
2018 Artist: Scott Pream, Thief River Falls, in acting
2017 Arts Advocate: Jane Vigness, Climax
2017 Artist: Gayle Moen, Shelly, in music
2016 Arts Advocate: Julie Elick, Roseau
2016 Artist: Beau Bakken, Hallock in painting
2015 Arts Advocate: Jim and Jan Strandlie, Thief River Falls
2015 Artist: Margaret Anderson, Lancaster in painting
2014 Arts Advocate: KayDell Super, Middle River
2014 Artist: Jessica Pribula, East Grand Forks, in textiles
2013 Arts Advocate: Ric Sorenson, Fosston
2012 Artist: Nick Rietzel, Karlstad for visual art
2012 Arts Advocate: Bob Wenzel, Warroad
2011 Artist: Sister Norma Jean Eide, Crookston for visual art
2011 Arts Advocate: Anita Poss, East Grand Forks
2010 Artist: Frances Karlsson, formerly of Roseau for visual art
2010 Artist: Jean Ranstrom, Alvarado for visual art
2009 Artist: Gary Stegman, Crookston for visual art
2009 Arts Advocate: Honey Olson, Ada
2008 Artist: Bernie Wilebski, Kennedy for visual art
2008 Arts Advocate: Annette Hermansen, Roseau
2007 Artist: Robin and Lorrie Foster of Red Lake Falls for pottery
2007 Arts Advocate: LeRoy Hoekstra formerly of Kennedy
2006 Artist: Audrey Sandal formerly of Lake Bronson for visual art
2005 Artist: Gene Lysaker of Twin Valley for visual art
2003 Artist: Brent Radeke of Argyle for performing art
2003 Arts Advocate: Dr. James Thomasson of Mentor
2002 Artist: Larry Damico of East Grand Forks for performing arts
2002 Arts Advocate: Elwyn Ruud of Karlstad