Of the Year Award Winners

Of the Year Award Winners

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