The original artwork for this year’s limited edition rosemaled ornament was painted by Karen Van Loan of Apple Valley, MN. Van Loan has been rosemaling for 27 years and is an elementary school teacher by profession, having taught on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota before retiring in 2006.
Van Loan’s inspiration to paint comes from studying old works of rosemaling, and from the encouragement of her excellent teachers and fellow painters.
In addition to learning locally with Vesterheim Gold Medalist (VGM) Shirley Evenstad, Van Loan has taken many classes at Vesterheim from Gold Medalists such as Judy Ritger, Nancy Schmidt, Sunhild Muldbakken, Pam Rucinski, Lois Mueller and Norwegian guest painters Egil Dahle and Johild Mæland. She also has enrolled in classes within driving distance taught by Ken Magnuson VGM, Trudy Peach VGM, Judy Kjenstad VGM, Irene Lamont VGM, Marlys Hammer VGM, Clarice Dieter, June Nyberg, Julie Anderson and Diane Edwards. Since the pandemic, she has been able to take additional classes via Zoom from Louise Bath VGM, Lise Lorentzen VGM and Kim Garrett.
In August 2025, Van Loan took home a ribbon for every one of her six rosemaling entries in the Minnesota State Fair.
