June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
The art of Barbara Bjorgaard on exhibit at St. Paul's in Hackensack
A former resident of Hackensack and member of St. Paul's, she was known for her Rosemalings. She created beautiful art pieces for family and friends until her death in April of 2000.
This exhibit will celebrate her life and art.
She was born and raised in the Chicago area and attended Normal College in Normal, Ill., to begin her training in art.
After attaining her degree in Art Education she married Ralph Bjorgaard, a native of Argyle, Minn. They met while he was stationed in the Chicago area and settled in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., where he taught high school math and physics while Barb raised their 3 children.
She began taking rosemaling classes and found that she had the perfect mix of artistic talent and love for Ralph's Norwegian heritage to become an accomplished rosemaler.
Her children recall coming home to the smell of turpentine and spaghetti. She sold her rosemalings at art shows and fairs and gifted many family and friends with wood pieces scrolled with flowers. One of the most unusual special orders was a goalie's hockey mask rosemaled for a boy in the neighborhoods.
One of the most special pieces her daughtter, Jill, has is a sconce of her mother's work purchased in an antique shop in Sac City, Iowa. "It's the only piece I have that I had to pay for," She said. "Best five bucks I ever spent!"
[[In-content Ad]]While rosemaling was her preferred art form, she also painted using oils and acrylics. As her health faded, her desire to paint remained strong resulting in some precious water colors.
After Ralph's retirement from teaching they fulfilled their life-time dream of a cabin on the lake in Northern Minnesota.
Ralph and his son-in-law, Rich, built their home on McKeown Lake, east of Hackensack, 25 years ago.
Her love of life in the woods was reflected in her art. Area residents are invited to share her passions with family and friends, Aug. 14, in Hackensack.
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