Selected Press Articles
- Christmas among the Pioneers — Nordstjernan, December 15, 2012
- It Takes Two — 2012
- ‘People of Prairie’ a Delightful Read — Fargo Forum, 2008
- Ladies Home Journal American Heroine Award — Given to Anne-Marit Bergstrom in 1984
- Bergstrom Creates Murals for Chamber — 2004
- Bergstrom is Honored as “Hero of Education”
- 100th Anniversary Chautauqua — 1993
- ND Artist Paints the Century — 1989
- Santa Has a Home on the Range — 1988
- Prairie Painter — 1985
- Life — The Great O.K. of Art and Teaching — Oskar Kokoschka
About The Settler’s Series
At the time of the Centennial of the State of North Dakota in 1989, Anne-Marit created a series of paintings to honor the memory of the pioneers. She collaborated with her daughter, Mira, in the creation of a book designed to be a centennial tribute called “The Settler’s Saga — Celebrating 100 Years of Dakota.” The word Dakota means friend in the language of the Sioux. The book pays tribute to the years of friendship in the Peace Garden State.
“A Settler’s Saga, Celebrating 100 Years of Dakota does just that. It celebrates the life of the early pioneer and pays tribute to the difficult, demanding, yet often rewarding life of the hearty individuals who shaped and formed this state and nation.” — Julie Strauch Lake, Devils Lake Daily Journal
“Anne-Marit Bergstrom has been an artist all her life. ‘Art is one soul talking to another,’ she said. ‘It is a means by which one can crystallize emotions and communicate timeless truths.’ Painting to me is like music for the eyes. You have composition, color harmony, and dynamics. You have all of the basic elements you have in music. Paintings, like music, are meant to be shared.” — Janelle Breckheiner, Devils Lake Daily Journal
About the Santa Series
Anne-Marit has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with Santa Claus resulting in two series of paintings and two publications. The first series appeared in 1983. The second series can be seen on display at the Holiday Inn Express in Saint Croix Falls, WI each Christmastime.
“Artist Anne-Marit Bergstrom is living proof that no one ever grows too old for Santa Claus. Bergstrom believes in Santa and believes in herself. She’s creating her own legacy — one that’s sure to live in American hearts as long as Santa.” — Janelle Breckheimer, Devils Lake Daily Journal
About the Chautauqua Series
The series of paintings dedicated to North Dakota Chautauqua is on permanent display at Lake Region State College in the Chautauqua Gallery, dedicated to the memory of Leo and Alma Studness.
“Paintings by Anne-Marit Bergstrom and her daughter-in-law, Candace Bergstrom of Devils Lake will be shown for the first time in the Lower Level Gallery, NDSU Libraries from April through June (1993). The oil paintings were completed to commemorate the centennial anniversary of North Dakota Chautauqua in Devils Lake. Anne-Marit is a fourth generation Dakotan. She studied painting with notable artists including Austrian Expressionist Oskar Kokoschka.” — Benson County Farmer’s Press
About Community Involvement
“Bergstrom smiles when asked about her awards and her community involvement. ‘It’s terribly important to remember how many people are involved whenever an award is given. No one ever does it alone. It is simply a continuation. There’s such interdependence through generations.’ She says one strong influence has been her mother, Alma Studness, who founded the Lake Region Community Concert Association in 1946. Studness was the youngest American pianist to appear as soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on March 11, 1924.” — Kathy Friese, The Sunday Forum