Gold Medal In: Woodworking, 2024

  • Residence at Time of Award Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ribbons

  • 2002 White ribbon for a Turned Bowl
  • 2022 Red ribbon for a Hand Turned and Wood Burned “West Coast Ale Bowl”
  • 2024 Blue ribbon for a Dragon-style Ale Bowl
  • 2024 Red ribbon for a “Primstav Summer Side” Ale Bowl
  • 2024 Red ribbon for a “Primstav Winter Side” Ale Bowl

Artist Statement

Roger Abrahamson is a traditional bowl turner and woodcarver. Using lathes, hand-forged tools, carving tools, and freshly harvested native woods, he specializes in the creation of old-world-style Norwegian ale vessels. His fascination for these objects has its roots in his immigrant grandmother’s ale bowl, which is still in the family. Roger has demonstrated his art at Vesterheim’s Nordic Fest, Norsk Høstfest, the Minnesota State Fair, the Smithsonian Institute’s Viking exhibition, and many many other events and historic sites nationally. He has been a turner and demonstrator for over 40 years and continues to work daily.
Roger says he’s a woodturner and woodcarver, who demonstrates and teaches his trade nationally. He’s interested in Norwegian Folk Art, especially in how this folk art tradition illustrates changes in our perception of traditional trades and standards. He sees impacts of these changes everywhere in our own time.