North House Folk School

Pieper Fleck Bloomquist is a contemporary folk artist with nearly 30 years’ experience painting in the Swedish traditions of dalmålning and bonadsmålning. Using traditional materials of linen/jute, traditional gesso, and egg tempera, she creates painted tapestries with scenes that narrate modern human stories – drawing inspiration from family traditions and her experience as an oncology nurse. She has found her voice in helping local communities and elders tell their stories using these traditions - all with the goal of creating awareness and appreciation for folk art, its connection to a heritage, and the ability it has to connect us all through our stories.  

A Minnesota native and Grand Forks, ND resident, Pieper has studied with Karen Jenson (Milan, MN), Judith Kjenstad (Minneapolis, MN), Sören Kabell (Unnaryd, Sweden) and curators of several museums in Sweden. She is a recipient of the North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts (2023-2025), and the 2024 Culture Bearer Award from Arts Midwest.  For over 25 years she has been active in programs sponsored by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, including the Art for Life Program and the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program as a Master Artist. She has twice been granted a Folk Arts Fellowship through the American Scandinavian Foundation.

Videos:

- Pioneer PBS Postcard Feature

- American-Scandinavian Foundation Studio Tour