Art and cultural work are important to Sauherad, and many artists live here and have stayed here since the 19th century. The most famous is Erik Werenskiold, who painted some of the most important classical paintings from the nation-building era in the latter half of the 19th century during his stays at Gvarv. Paintings such as "From Telemark" (1883) and "A farmer's funeral" (1885) are central elements in the nation's identity. Models from Gvarv are used in these paintings and the landscape is easily recognisable.
Today, many artists and cultural workers also live and work in and around Gvarv, who constitute important workplaces and are central to the identity of the municipality in addition to the fruit industry. To choose an Apple Festival Artist of the Year that gets their own exhibition is therefore important for Norsk Eplefest.
2023 – Tore Juell
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2023 (interview on page 21)
2022 – Jon Are Myhrer
2021 – Jonny Andvik
Read more: Fineart.no/jonny-andvik
2020 – Rolf Nerli
Read more: rolfnerli.no
2019 – Marit Mathisen
2018 – Christopher Rådlund
2017 – Trine Støren
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2017.
2016 – Jan Petter Bratsberg
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2016.
2015 – Bjørn Richter
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2015.
2014 – Runaug Venås
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2014.
2013 – Jan Erik Willgohs and Feng Xian
Read more about Jan Erik Willgohs og Feng Xian Lin on willgohs.info and fengxianlin.com, or in the festival newspaper for 2013.
2012 – Brita Lodberg Holm
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2012.
2011 – Reidar Kolbrek
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2011.
2010 – Kjell Hellström
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2010.
2009 – Keith Grant
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2009.
2008 – Arnt Darrud
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2008.
2007 – Olav Bjørgum
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2007.
2006 – Arne Kleng Dahle
Read more about the artist in the festival newspaper for 2006.
