“Margrethe is a person and artist of light, openness and positivity. I experience and benefit from her artwork everyday, a large framed drawing in my bedroom and also at work, as a permanent mural in a community art center that specializes in art education. Her artworks and teaching are sensitive portals that give space for personal expression.”
- Nick Kline, Creative Director, Express Newark, Founder & Director, SHINE Portrait Studio, NJ, 2025


"Margrethe is first and foremost a dedicated and multifaceted artist whose work I have loved and supported since we met well over a decade ago. Made resonant through an economy of materials and the masterful use of color, her work is intense, yet sensitive and luminous. She is also a great listener and an incisive critic, with the intellect and empathy that make her a great teacher, as well as the perfect collaborator to other artists and curators. Some of the greatest successes in my career would not have happened without Margrethe's generosity, support, and mentorship.”
- Ian Cofre, Independent Curator, NY, 2025


"In my capacity as curator and gallery director, I worked closely with Margrethe on a series of complex and ambitious public-facing projects. Margrethe’s highly original vision and impeccable execution skills made each experience unique and impactful. She is always open to share her deep knowledge of studio techniques and art history with the team. Her warmth and friendship supported me through the triumphs and challenges of our shared creative journey."
- Cecilia Zhang Jalboukh, NY, 2025


“Kunsthall Stavanger has enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration with Margrethe from 2014-2024, a period in which she has been involved in several different capacities as a Teaching Artist with us. Margrethe has been a favourite guest for our Kids Art Club (ages 6-12), having led several art workshops in different mediums, and curated two end-of-semester summer exhibitions with the participants. Her contributions were valued so highly that in 2019, Margrethe became the Project Manager for our Kids Art Club for the spring semester. Managing the programme included responsibility for sourcing and inviting participating Lead Artists, as well as the overall facilitation of the workshops.

In 2020, Margrethe was invited again as a Teaching Artist for our summer school project "Click here-TV" for youth aged 10-15. Participants made short programmes for their own TV channel exploring themes of expression, discussion, and reflection, using tools drawn from visual arts and performing arts.

Margrethe's ability to engage and inspire participants of any age while ensuring the artistic integrity of each project is upheld is what makes her such a masterful Teacher and Artist. Her competence and infectious enthusiasm for art is sorely missed in Stavanger.”
- Jessica Morris, Deputy Director at Kunsthall Stavanger, Norway, Oct 2026


Through my work as a curator I have had the pleasure of getting to know Margrethe Aanestad as a dedicated and profound professional visual artist. Visiting the US I have also experienced her insightful guidance through the New York City Art Scene.
- Arnhild Sunnanå, Art Historian and Curator, Norway, 2025

“Margrethe is such a great teacher and I really enjoyed working with her. She really helped me improve my drawing and painting skills, and she is always so kind and funny and open to trying new techniques and materials.”
- Grace, age 10Y, New York, 2026


“I have worked with Margrethe to present her work, as well as to offer adult art workshops at Scandinavia House. She is incredibly thoughtful, welcoming, and personable with her students. Her vast and deep knowledge of materials, and enthusiasm for all kinds of art making, is inspiring. Her students were thrilled and asked for more classes! It is always a joy to see Margrethe, see art together, and work together. She is a treasure.”
- Emily Stoddart, Manager of Exhibitions and Community Programs, Scandinavia House, New York, 2025


“I've had the pleasure to coordinate and attend one of Margrethe's workshops on Governors Island, I was fascinated by the way she creates opportunities for artists and the wider community to come together, share ideas, and discover new ways of engaging with art. Her approach fosters an open and welcoming environment where curiosity, exchange, and hands-on exploration make artistic knowledge accessible to everyone.”
- Guilia Noli, Administrative and Curatorial Coordinator at Residency Unlimited, NY, Oct 2026


“I love the instructor and everything about her class! She’s lovely, a very good teacher, is very flexible about what we choose to draw (which I love and is very important to me), and provides interesting still lives and subjects.”
- Anonymous student, Bronxville Adult School, NY, Nov 2026


“This was a very complete course; all facets of the medium were covered. The atmosphere itself was relaxing, calm, conducive to creativity, and this is because of the instructor. She was absolutely wonderful! So knowledgeable, inspiring, complimentary of each student's work, answered all questions, engaging exercises in creating art from differing viewpoints (e.g., abstract, self-expression, working to duplicate a picture), but ALWAYS, ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE, KIND, ENCOURAGING!. ….”
- Anonymous student, Bronxville Adult School, NY, Nov 2026


“When possible I reach out to Margrethe for both - a great hangout and a chat about art. She is professional when it comes to her own work, but also has such great respect for all kinds of interesting work. Experiencing art with her sense of humor and thoughtful insights is something I would do every day!
- Monika Wuhrer, Founder and Artistic Director, Open Source Gallery, NY and KoKo NYC, 2025


“I know Margrethe as an active contributor to the field of art — an artist who has also organized and curated a project space that enriched the local art scene in Stavanger, Norway. She has taught at Kunstskolen in Stavanger over many years as a guest teacher and participated in our educational program in pedagogy. Margrethe contributes positively and constructively in every context in which I’ve seen her, and she has an great ability to connect with both students and colleagues. I can easily recommend her for any position or project she chooses to pursue — she makes it happen!”
- John Øivind Eggesbø, Principal at Stavanger School of Art, Norway, 2025


“Thank you for your warm and supportive feedback and creating such a creative environment.”
- Anonymous student at Scandinavia House, NY, 2025


“Each class opened my mind in exciting ways and each class took more time to process what I had experienced (I'm still thinking about them)”
- Anonymous student at Scandinavia House, NY, 2025