2021 Podcast Episodes

Fosston Artist Michael McColl spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West for this week’s podcast. He’s an art teacher in Fosston, and he draws, paints, and sculpts and used to build cabinets. Mike is on the board of the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association. They applied for and received a grant from the NWMAC for a public sculpture called “Flight of the Deco” that Mike created. Listen to hear more and visit Fosston to see the sculpture.

Photographer Andy Hall was this week’s featured podcast. Andy owns Sweetlight Photography in Crookston. Andy has photography on display in our current exhibit at NCTC — Artists of NW Minnesota. He’s also on our Enhanced Artist Listing. Andy will be at the Artist Reception on Friday, November 19 in Thief River Falls. Listen to the conversation to learn more!

Wade Benson, Director of TRFACT’s performance of Plaza Suite, spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West. They talked about theater, this show, directing, and more. Listen to the conversation!

Greenbush Artist Ann Novacek spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Ann received the Artist Advocate of the Year Award this year. They spoke about her art and her involvement in the arts. Listen to learn more about Ann!

NWMAC Director Mara Hanel spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. They talked about Mara’s own artwork (photography, mosaics) that is on display in our current exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls. The exhibit features artists who have a listing in our Artists of NW Minnesota Booklet. They also spoke about upcoming grant deadlines, the traveling art exhibit (currently in Ada), our new website, and our search for some new board members in all of our counties, but especially Kittson, Roseau, Pennington, Norman, and Red Lake. Listen to the podcast to hear all the details!

Student Artist Kansas Jensen of Goodridge spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week about her artistic process and inspiration. Kansas won first prize in the student category in the annual NW Art Exhibit that took place in Warroad in August.

Donald Kakaygeesick spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week about his art. Donald was recently awarded the NW Star Award for his lifetime achievement in the arts. Donald has experience with many mediums including acrylic, oils, watercolor, and carving. He is a teacher and leader in Ojibwe culture and history. Listen to the engaging conversation with Donald!

Warroad Summer Theater premiered “Gone Fishin’” for their fall dinner theater. A new play written and directed by Roseau native Ben Johnston, “Gone Fishin’” takes it’s inspiration from growing up near Lake of the Woods, and the colorful characters you can meet in Northern Minnesota. The play also has undeniable influences from shows like “Grumpy Old Men” and “Escanaba in da Moonlight”. Listen to the podcast to hear more about the show and Ben’s inspiration.

Luverne Seifert, co-founder of Sod House Theater, spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the theater company and their upcoming show Arla Mae’s Booyah Wagon in Crookston, Hallock, and Stephen. Listen to this engaging discussion and see this live theater in our region!

Brianna Geer, Director of the Middle River Community Theatre production of The Outsider, is this week’s featured podcast. The show is the Goose Festival show this year. Listen to hear more about the play.

Listen to Jerry Amiot and Ron West talk about Pioneer Day in Crookston this week and all the arts activities! The NWMAC provides a grant for the event.

Poet and published author Dale Jacobson spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Dale recently led some online writing sessions for the NWMAC via StreamYard to help people write for our current exhibit at NCTC — elemental: earth, air, fire, water, space. Dale also wrote a piece for the exhibit. Listen to their interesting discussion.

This week’s podcast features NWMAC Director Mara Hanel. Mara spoke about the annual NW Art Exhibit in Warroad, Of the Year Awards (Artist of the Year Connie Nelson, Artist Advocate Ann Novacek, and NW Star Award Donald Kakaygeesick), and openings for the NWMAC board (apply today!). Listen to learn more and visit the exhibit while you can!

Charles Eickhof of Crookston spoke about the feature length film Loon! that he and his cousin Kale Eickhof wrote, directed, acted in and produced. There’s a red carpet event in Crookston at the Grand Theater on Friday August 20 during Ox Cart Days. The NWMAC provided grant funding. Listen to the discussion and attend the premier!

Sarah Homme of Warroad spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the Allison Park Summer Series and the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit (opening later this week in Warroad).

Carol Ihle of the Zehlians spoke with Ron West about the upcoming Art & Wine Walk in Thief River. It takes place on August 12. Listen to hear all about it!

Writer Kim Hruba of Warroad spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West. Kim started Lake of the Woods Artist Retreat. This year she is hosting a weeklong writing retreat in Warroad at the newly opened Hampton Inn in September. This is funded in part by a grant from the NWMAC. Listen to learn more about it and consider signing up!

Polk County Fair Secretary/Manager Mike Moore of Fertile spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week about the Polk County Fair (taking place this week). They discussed the entertainment that is funded by the NWMAC. Listen to hear all about the events at the fair!

This week’s podcast features Warren City Administrator Shannon Mortenson. Shannon spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Mark Johnson about Warren’s concert series funded by the NWMAC. Listen to hear all about it!

Don Merkens spoke to Pioneer 90.1 Mark Johnson this week about the Norman County Fair in Ada. Don shared an update about the fair entertainment, like a puppet show on Youth Day and musical acts including bluegrass and polka that are funded by the NWMAC. Listen to hear all about it! And, head over to Ada this week for the fair.

Fosston Artist Jason Steinbrenner spoke with Pioneer 90.1 Mark Johnson this week. Mark was filling in for Ron West. Jason has 4 pieces of art in our Tiny Art exhibit. Jason talked about his artistic process and the exhibit. Listen to learn more!

Thief River Falls Area Community Theater Director Jane Anderson is this week’s featured podcast. Jane spoke TRFACT activities this past year during COVID and what’s coming up with TRFACT performances. Listen to hear all about it!

Halstad Resident Emily Finney was featured on this week’s podcast. Emily and Ron West talked how the the world’s largest sugar beet sculpture in Halstad came to be (as Ron referred to as the “big idea for the big beet”), including the idea, the artist, the planning process, and the funding (which included a grant from the NWMAC) . It truly was a community effort. Listen to hear all about it!

This week NWMAC Director Mara Hanel and Ron West talk art and arts council news. Listen to hear about upcoming grant deadlines, events, and exhibits!

This week Roseau Artist Zack Rowatt spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West. Zack has artwork in the current NWMAC Bird Exhibit. He also received a quick turn around grant from NWMAC recently. Listen to learn more!

Our featured artist in this week’s podcast was Chris Wavra. Chris is a potter. She received a grant from the NWMAC for a pottery wheel. Listen to hear all about it!

This week Wildlife Biologist and Artist Ross Hier was the guest on the podcast. Ross has a large body of artwork in our current exhibit Birds: An Exhibit of Work by Ross Hier and Other Regional Artists. Ross has had his work in a number of our exhibits. Listen to learn more and visit the exhibit! You won’t regret it.

Fosston Artist Ivy Bailie was featured in this week’s podcast. Ivy has a piece of art in our current exhibit — Birds: An Exhibit of Work by Ross Hier and Other Regional Artists. She has exhibited in a number of our past exhibits as well. Listen to here about her painting workshops and more!

Badger Math Teacher and Mosaic Artist Sherri Kruger spoke to Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Sherri talked about her piece of art in the Bird Exhibit. She also filled Ron in about her motivation and training in art and the mosaic wall in Badger, as well as the impact of the NWMAC. Listen to learn more!

Kittson County Public Health and School nurse Jeanna Kujava is featured on this week’s podcast. Jeanna spoke about a Healing Arts Residency at Kittson Central, Lancaster and Karlstad highschools that she received a grant from the NWMAC to sponsor. Listen to hear all about it!

Hallock resident Connie Nelson spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Connie received a grant from the NWMAC to paint mural panels along Highway 75 in Hallock. Listen to hear more about the project or visit Hallock to see them in person!

NWMAC Director Mara Hanel is featured on this week’s podcast. Mara spoke about the biennial plan and how to give your feedback, upcoming grant and other deadlines, our current exhibits at NCTC and Arts Advocacy Day. Listen to learn all the details

Kennedy photography Kathryn Rynning spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Kathryn’s photography is featured in our current exhibit — Peonies & Players: A Photography Exhibit. Her photography in this exhibit is of peonies that she took on a trip to China. Listen to the podcast to learn more and visit the exhibit!

Crookston residents Victor and Azomali Obisakin are featured on this week’s podcast. Azomali is in 2nd grade and created art for the current NWMAC Black Lives Matter Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls. Victor spoke about Black Lives Matter. Listen to the conversation and visit the exhibit!

Photographer, TRF Times Sports Editor, and Northland Wrestling Coach Scott DCamp spoke to Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week. Scott’s photography is featured in NWMAC’s exhibit Peonies & Players: A Photography Exhibit. Scott’s part of the exhibit is of sports moments. Listen to the podcast and check out the exhibit!

Crookston sculptural artist Brandon LaPlante is featured on this week’s podcast. He recently received a grant from the NWMAC for an independent studio project that involves purchasing a shuttle bus, insulating it and creating a living and working space. Brandon is also a musician and he makes furniture. Listen to hear Brandon’s story and learn more about this project!