Arts News
NW Art Exhibit & Of the Year Award Reception and Program
Our annual Awards reception and program was held on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum. The exhibit opened at noon that day. Mingling and refreshments started at 2:00 PM along with live music by Eagle Creek and Eden Rowan Johnson.
The Awards Program started at 3 PM.
Of the Year Awards were presented to Potter Betsy Saurdiff for the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Musician Randy Larson for Artist of the Year, and Radio Host Rom Ogaard for Arts Advocate of the Year, in addition to exhibit awards. Randy Larson performed 2 songs with his adult children.
The Exhibit and Reception were open to the public and free to attend. The exhibit provides an opportunity to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The reception was a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
NW Annual Art Exhibit is Open April 3-21
The Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Open April 3 – April 21
Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson
Reception and Program on April 21 to
Honor Exhibit & Of the Year Award Winners
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce the NW Annual Art Exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson from April 3 until April 21.
Adult artists from our 7 county- service region (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, and Red Lake Falls) have entered 68 pieces of art and students have entered 59 pieces, including oil, acrylic, watercolor painting, pencil drawings, pen and ink, pottery, sculpture, fiber art, glass mosaic, and mixed media. and are competing for $2,300.00 in cash awards. Attendees at the exhibit can vote for People’s Choice. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by Pat Danielson, a qualified juror from Grand Forks. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception.
Walk through the exhibit at https://youtu.be/EeSvf3_tVVg.
Exhibit Awards include:
Adults:
1st $500 Andy Hall of Climax for photography “Backlit Milkweed”
2nd $300 Irene Bertils of Crookston for watercolor painting “Warm Summer Evening “
3rd $200 Aliza Novacek-Olson of Roseau for folk/traditional wool “Solitary Qoshmas”
Merit $100 Michael McColl of Lengby in drawing “You're Getting Very Sleepy”
Merit $100 Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla for folk/ traditional porcelain “Pitcher”
Merit $100 Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad of Ada in mixed media “No Constraints”
Merit $100 Sara Jo Trangsrud of Thief River Falls in sculpture “Bursting Out”
Merit $100 Gail Ose of Thief River Falls for fused glass “The Dreams We Hold Sacred”
People’s Choice $100 TBD
Students:
1st $300 Brigitta Novacek of Roseau in acrylic painting “Valorous”
2nd $150 Anita Foster of Thief River Falls for mixed media “Ruth”
3rd $100 Mary Jane Crane of Red Lake Falls for drawing “Beauty in Self-Image”
Merit $50 Kyleigh Halvorson of Fosston for drawing “Iris”
Merit $50 Kaytlyn Knutson of Red Lake Falls for digital art “Orion”
Merit $50 Mason Grivno of Felton for sculpture “German Wirehaired Pointer”
Merit $50 Mahli Holter of Red Lake Falls for mixed media “Almagations”
Merit $50 Izzy Swenson of Lancaster for painting “Purple Iris”
People’s Choice $50 TBD
The exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum at 332 East Main Street, Lake Bronson and will be open for the public to view art and vote for People’s Choice on Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Exhibit Hours
Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
Extended hours:
Wednesday, April 10 9 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, April 14 1 to 4 PM
Wednesday, April 17 9 AM to 7 PM
There will be a reception and program on April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum. The exhibit will open at noon that day. Mingling and light refreshments will start at 2:00 PM with the program at 3:00 PM. Of the Year Awards will be presented to Potter Betsy Saurdiff for the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Musician Randy Larson for Artist of the Year, and Radio Host Rom Ogaard for Arts Advocate of the Year, in addition to exhibit awards. Randy Larson will play the music with his adult children. The Exhibit and Reception are open to the public and free to attend. Many pieces of art are for sale and the public is encouraged to shop. Purchases can be marked as sold and picked up on April 21 after the reception. The exhibit provides an opportunity to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The reception is a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
Visit our website for more information at www.NWArtsCouncil.org. Funding for these awards is provided by the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature.
NW Art Exhibit Opens April 3 in Lake Bronson
The Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Open April 3 – April 21
Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson
Reception and Program on April 21 to Honor Exhibit & Of the Year Award Winners
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce the NW Annual Art Exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson from April 3 until April 21.
Adult artists from our 7 county- service region (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, and Red Lake Falls) have entered over 70 pieces of art and students have entered over 40 pieces, including oil, acrylic, watercolor painting, pencil drawings, pen and ink, pottery, sculpture, fiber art, glass mosaic, and mixed media. and are competing for $2,300.00 in cash awards. Attendees at the exhibit can vote for People’s Choice. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by Pat Danielson, a qualified juror from Grand Forks. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception.
The exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum at 332 East Main Street, Lake Bronson and will be open for the public to view art and vote for People’s Choice on Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Exhibit Hours
Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
Extended hours:
Wednesday, April 10 9 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, April 14 1 to 4 PM
Wednesday, April 17 9 AM to 7 PM
There will be a reception and program on April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum. The exhibit will open at noon that day. Mingling, light refreshments, and music will start at 2:00 PM with the program at 3:00 PM. Of the YearAwards -- the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Artist of the Year, and Arts Advocate of the Year will be presented, in addition to exhibit awards. The Exhibit and Reception are open to the public and free to attend. Many pieces of art are for sale and the public is encouraged to shop. Purchases can be marked as sold and picked up on April 21 after the reception. The exhibit provides an opportunity to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The reception is a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
Funding for these awards is provided by the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature.
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Ada Public Library
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Ada Public Library
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Ada Public Library until March 26. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“(Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls
July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau
August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock
October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren
November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile
January 16 to February 27, 2024, Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks
February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada
March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls
*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.
**Tentatively scheduled
For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.
Stephanie Olson’s Art is featured in NCTC Display Case
Stop by the display cases outside our gallery at NCTC. Work by Stephanie Olson is featured in one of them.
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Fertile Public Library
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Fertile Public Library from November 28 to January 16.
Stop by the library to see these works of art from throughout our region!
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Fertile Public Library until January 16. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“(Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls
July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau
August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock
October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren
November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile
January 16 to February 27, 2024 Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks
February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada
March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls
*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.
**Tentatively scheduled
For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.
Traveling Exhibit Visits Crookston for Final Stop
Traveling Art Exhibit Tours NW Minnesota Region
Visits Crookston Public Library
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. The exhibit includes 17 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Crookston Public Library until April 28. Please stop by to see these works of art — this is the final stop of this touring exhibit. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2022-2023 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Wood Splitter’s Alarm Clock” (Watercolor Painting) (Merit)
Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad, Ada, “Cornflower Bee” (Mosaic)
Heidi Danos, Fosston, “Hot Pink Sadness” (Mixed Media)
Stephanie Olson, Thief River Falls, “Monday’s Cat” (Painting)
Alicia Spilde, Karlstad, “Leaving” (Mixed Media)
Cindy Kolling, Gully, “Prairie Smoke” (Mixed Media/Other)
Jodi Peterson, Ada, “Cardinal” (Mosaic)
Kate Hammer, Roseau, “Abandoned” (Sculpture)
Nick Reitzel, Karlstad, “Across the Purple Sky” (Painting) (Merit)
Paulette Christianson, Badger, “Under the Orange Moon” (Pastel Drawing) (Merit)
Mason Owens, Crookston, “Peace is in the Roughness” (Wood Sculpture) (student) (Merit)
Kinsley Oslund, Grygla, “Crush” (Sculpture) (student)
Emily Balboa, Crookston, “Timeless Beauty” (Painting) (student)
Autumn Ruikka, Thief River Falls, “Bull Stamp” (Printmaking) (student)
Carlie Nehrus, Ada, “Jelly Fish” (Pen and Ink) (student)
Lakylie Brobst, Grygla, “Hayes Lake Skies” (Photography) (student) (Merit)
Paige Sturre, Thief River Falls, “Escaping the Bland” (Mixed Media/Watercolor) (student)
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
April 29 – June 16, 2022 Hallock Public Library
June 16 – August 8, 2022 Godel Memorial Library, Warren
August 8 – September 28, 2022 Greenbush Public Library
September 28 – November 22, 2022 Fosston Public Library
November 22, 2022 – January 17, 2023 Ada Public Library
January 17 – March 1, 2023 Red Lake Falls Public Library
March 1 – April 28 Crookston Public Library
*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.
** Tentatively Scheduled
For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com.
Call for Entries for the 2023 Annual Art Exhibit — Submit your artwork now!
The NWMAC is Calling for Entries for the
2023 Annual Art Exhibit.
The deadline to submit your artwork is
February 28, 2023!
This year, the annual Art Exhibit will be in Middle River at the Legacy Center in March and April. Adult artwork will be dropped off starting on Monday, March 6 and student artwork later that month. More information will be announced soon.
Artists from our 7 county- service region can enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adult and student artists are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception at the Middle River Legacy Center on Sunday, April 30. Artists are welcome to have their work in the exhibit available for sale.
See https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nwmnartsexhibit-apply for more information, including the exhibit entry rules and directions. If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 28, 2023.
Handcrafted Somali Artwork on display in Thief River Falls
Stop by Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River to see hand crafted household and functional Somali artwork displayed in one of the window cases near our exhibit space and the library.
Call for Art - The Art of Addiction
We are looking for NW Minnesota artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibit — The Art of Addiction at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Submissions will join work by Potter Kate Hammer.
All mediums are welcome including, but not limited to sculpture, textile, oil, pen and ink, poetry, creative writing, song, video, mosaic, watercolor, acrylic, collage, clay, photography and more.
The exhibit will be open in March and April 2023. Submissions are due no later than February 20. You will need to submit a photo and description (size, etc) of your work to Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com before that time. Please reach out to Trey with any questions.
Cancelled Call for Art & Exhibit — Remember the Dead
In the best interest of the Latino communities throughout the region we are delaying the Remember the Dead exhibit until further notice. We’ll let you know when and if this call for art and exhibit are re-scheduled. Thank you for your understanding.
Upcoming Exhibit: dynamic voices: a collection of work by women artists of nw minnesota
Stay tuned for our upcoming exhibit — dynamic voices: a collection of work by women artists of nw minnesota at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River. The exhibit will open from August 8 to September 28. More information to come!
Parenthood Art Exhibit May 2019
Come to the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) Gallery in East Grand Forks at the Riverwalk Centre (movie theater mall) to see the new Parenthood Art Exhibit. This collection is meant to explore and celebrate parenthood and is open between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We have gathered art created by northwest Minnesota artists that is related to parenthood through its very creation (made by parents and their children), art that involves parenthood in its content, functional art that lives in the everyday of parenthood, and art that cracks open parenthood—and childhood—just a little bit more.
Artist Therese Jacobson’s painting captures a scene with her daughter cooking with her granddaughter. Therese explained that this “is what parenting is all about. Children learn from involvement. This was a very meaningful, joyful and calm moment.”
Fiber Works and Rosemaling Exhibit featuring Cathy Forgit and Jean Honl 2019
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is excited to present the Fiber Works and Rosemaling Exhibit featuring artists Cathy Forgit and Jean Honl.
Cathy Forgit (Fertile, Minnesota) shares pieces that harken back to the “olden days”: coverlet patterns from the past, hides from primitive sheep once used to keep the sleeping warm, striking block patterns, and one wool rug spun from the wool of her own sheep.
Jean Honl (Roseau, Minnesota) not only decorates functional pieces with rosemaling, she constructs those pieces herself. She has her own woodshop where she builds pieces such as the chair on display in the gallery. And then she adorns them with rosemaling, a traditional Norwegian style.
Working in these different mediums, Forgit and Honl have brought the bright and bold colors many of us have been missing this time of year! Come visit the Fiber Works and Rosemaling Exhibit at the NWMAC gallery now through May 11. The gallery is located at 211 DeMers Avenue, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 (located within the Riverwalk Artists Gallery.) The gallery hours are Friday–Saturday, 2:00–8:00 P.M. and Sunday, 2:00–5:00 P.M. (But before you go, please double check to make sure the gallery is open.) Details on the artists reception will be forthcoming.
Fresh Voices Exhibit 2019
Fresh Voices Exhibit
Jan 28
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) invites you to visit the Fresh Voices Exhibit, now on display at the NWMAC Gallery in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
Based in Crookston, Minnesota, Fresh Voices has been dedicated to the support, encouragement, and celebration of art of local Latino youth for over twenty years. Come view a selection of their most recent photographs and written works.
The Fresh Voices Exhibit will be shown now through March 1 at the NWMAC Gallery at 211 DeMers Avenue, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 (located within the Riverwalk Artists Gallery.) The gallery hours are Friday–Saturday, 2:00–8:00 P.M. and Sunday, 2:00–5:00 P.M. (But before you go, please double check to make sure the gallery is open.)
NWMAC Exhibits in 2018
2018 Exhibits included Tree Spirits: Works in Wood by Regional Artists, Midwest Grain: Watercolor Paintings by Debbie Aune, Portrait, Inklings by Jill Levene, Visual Art by Ivy Bailie, Paintings by Judy Szklarski, Skin, & We Are Water.
Exhibits in 2016
Exhibits at the NWMAC Gallery at the River Walk Gallery in 2016 included: Irene Bertils, Crookston - Drawings (January – February 2016), Ron Woolever, Roseau – Photography (March – April 2016 ), Karlee Westrem, East Grand Forks – Acrylic Paintings (May 2016), Joe Wavra, Red Lake Falls – Carvings and Chainsaw Sculptures (June 2016), Beau Bakken, Hallock – Paintings (July 2016), Jodi Peterson, Norman County - Glassworks (August 2016), Jean Honl, Roseau Rosemaling (September 2016), Thief River Falls Area Community Theater Costumes and Posters (October 2016), Creative Artworks of Crookston (November – December 2016), and Dale Mackowick, Fertile. Oil Painting (December 2016).
2015 Exhibits at the NWMAC Gallery Space at River Walk Artists in East Grand Forks
2015 Exhibits in the NWMAC Gallery space at the River Walk Gallery included:
February 2015 Jessica Pribula, EGF
Mar - Apr 2015 Deb Aune, Gatzke
Midwest Living
May 2015 LaVonne Forsberg, TRF paintings
June 2015 Book Authors of NW Minnesota
July 2015 Functional Art
Aug 2015 Textiles
Sept 2015 Brenda Baumer, EGF - painting
Oct - Nov 2015 Janet Johnson and Karen Monson - art
Dec 2015 – Jan 2016 Winter Holiday Show
2014 Exhibits at the NWMAC Gallery Space at the River Walk Artists in East Grand Forks
2014 Exhibits included
Loren Younggren Exhibit-January-February 2014
Student Art Showcase-February-March 2014
Sherri Kruger and Lynne King, March-April 2014
Erin Nelson and Karlee Westrem, June 2014
Trey Everett and Tom Brosseau: July 2014
Candace Osborn and Brett Lysne: August 2014
Chris Lane: September 2014
Bruce Flaig and Janet Johnson: October 2014
Northwest Schools Student Showcase: November 2014
4th Annual Winter Holiday Exhibit: December 2014-January 2015
Jan - Feb 2014 Loren Younggren
Kittson County Scenes
Featured Artist Photographer Loren Younggren Jan - Feb 16
During this exhibit of Hallock Photographer Loren Younggren’s body of work — Kittson County Scenes, the Sweet Art Celebration and Sale (Feb 13-16) was held at River Walk Artists. Bluegrass music was played by Tom and Jeanne O’Neil and refreshments were served.
Feb - March 2014 Student Art Showcase
Annual Student Art Showcase
February 19 - March 23, 2014
The annual Student Art Showcase at the River Walk Artists Gallery in East Grand Forks featured art from two East Grand Forks High Schools, Sacred Heart High School and East Grand Forks Senior High. The students at Sacred Heart worked under the tutelage of Jessica Gennet. The students at East Grand Forks High worked under Erin Nelson and Josh Perkerewicz. The exhibit reception was held on February 22, 2014. The students were from grades 9 - 12. Their art included paintings, drawings and ceramic sculpture. Subject matter ranged from wild animals to self-portraits to impressionistic work and still life expressions. Various forms of media showed how in-tune these students were with their surroundings. There were contrasts of color, texture, balance, movement, harmony, shape and form. The Student Art Showcase ran through March 23, 2014 at the Arts Council Gallery inside the River Walk Artists Gallery.
March - April 2014 Sherri Kruger and Lynne King
Picture This!
March 26 - April 27, 2014
Sherri Kruger of Badger Minnesota and Lynne King of Alvarado, Minnesota shared their artwork in the exhibit Picture This!
Everyone was invited to attend an artist reception at River Walk Artists Gallery on Saturday March 29, 2014. Sherri Kruger is a glass artist creating mosaic items of every shape and size, out of stained glass, recycled metal and cement. She has participated in many shows and won many awards, including Best of Show at the Grand Cities Art Show in Grand Forks. She was a member of Artists on Main in Roseau and displayed her works there and she is also the Art Club Advisor at Badger High School. Lynne King hails from Muncie, Indiana but made Northwest Minnesota her home. She is a photographer with a keen eye for landscapes that tell a story, wildlife, and birds. She also loves "old things" and is inspired by barns, houses and cars. As a former librarian, she is of the firm belief that a picture is worth a thousand words and a good story is hard to resist! Both artists have benefitted from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council by either receiving grant money or participating in workshops designed to help artists with their business.
June 2014 Erin Nelson and Karlee Westrem
SEASIDE VISIONS
JUNE 4-29, 2014
Erin D. Nelson & Karlee Westrem, Mentor and Student
Artist Reception June 21 during the Art and Wine Walk
East Grand Forks residents, Erin D Nelson and Karlee Westrem, Mentor and Student, brought their work together under one roof. Seaside Visions was their interpretation of what one would find in their environment at a seashell-strewn oceanside.
Erin Nelson teaches visual arts at East Grand Forks Senior High. She has an appreciation of 70's artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Jean Michael Basquait, as well as by the environment she dearly loves, the ocean. Many of her paintings incorporate the use of numerals or lettering into her designs. The paintings she selected for this exhibit are in honor of her grandmother who introduced her to the ocean's beauty from her earliest childhood. Nelson added, "I hope this collection gives the viewer a sense of that environment my Grandma taught me to love so much.”
Karlee Westrem is a 2014 graduate of East Grand Forks High and was a student of Erin's for several years. Karlee received a mentorship grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council during the summer of 2013, and participated in area student art exhibits, earning top scores. She was inspired by her teacher, Mrs. Nelson, who introduced her to famous artists and styles of art, and experimented with color and design along side her mentor. The 'Seaside Visions' exhibit and the artists were featured during the Art & Wine Walk on Saturday, June 21.
July 2014 Trey Everett, Crookston and Tom Brosseau, Thief River Falls. Drawings & Carvings
Nibs and Knives July 2014
The exhibit Nibs and Knives was featured in NWMAC’s East Grand Forks gallery from July 12 to July 31, 2014. The pen & ink drawings of Trey Everett of Crookston, and the woodcarvings of Tom Brosseau of Thief River Falls, were showcased. Trey was a contributing artist to the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council's 2013 Community Supported Art program. His inspirational pen & ink "holy doodles" were "images that came to mind from meditating on scripture passages, books, past events, conversations with friends and family, and from simply trying to be attentive to God in my everyday life," he said. Trey also facilitates healing through art sessions throughout the northwest Minnesota region. Tom Brosseau has always enjoyed working with wood, beginning wood carving when he was about 19 years old. His love of the outdoors inspired him to carve birds and wildlife. Then a few years ago he "picked up a chainsaw and tried [his] hand at carving with it" and discovered he loved it. Through the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, Tom received grant money to purchase tools and expand his carving work. The Nibs and Knives exhibit, opened July 12 and was featured during the Art & Wine Walk on Saturday, July 19.
August 2014 Candace Osborn, Ada & Brett Lysne, Moorhead Textiles & Drawings
Drawn and Needled
August 2014
Drawn and Needled included the drawings of Brett Lysne of Moorhead and needle felting of Candace Osborn of Ada. The exhibit was open from August 6 to August 31, 2014. Brett Lysne is a visual artist working in drawing, printmaking, artist books, and writing. Born in Fargo and raised in Crookston, Brett attended college at the University of Minnesota, Morris for studio art with an emphasis in printmaking. He earned his MFA in printmaking and drawing from Washington State University, and participated in artist residency programs in Washington, Vermont, Finland, Minnesota, and at North Dakota State University in Fargo. Lysne's exhibited work featured "text-based drawing projects" created out of his "desire to clarify and organize complex memories, sentiments, and connections.” Candace Osborne grew up on a farm in northern Minnesota which she said, "gave me an appreciation for nature and wildlife, as well as a love of domestic animals." She showed artistic ability "probably as soon as I could hold a pencil." Candace pursued both art and nature in college, earning a degree that lets her teach both Biology and Art. She taught in Nebraska before moving back to Ada with her family. Candace said, "Drawing led to painting, sculpting clay led to carving, and the combined skills have emerged in felting." Her needle felted animals and nature scenes are skillfully reproduced with wool in miniatures of authentic wildlife. The Drawn and Needled exhibit, opened August 6th, and was featured during the Art & Wine Walk, Saturday, August 16.
September 2014 Chris Lane, Newfolden, Photography Unseen Splendor
Photographs by Chris Lane of Newfolden
September 5 - September 28, 2014
Art & Wine Walk September 20
River Walk Artists Gallery, East Grand Forks
Unseen Splendor brought visitors into a secret, more intimate place, where minute details of flowers can be seen, as captured by macro photography. Always seen as a natural form of beauty, flowers are typically viewed from a certain, comfortable distance. These images, primarily of so-called weeds, are meant to show the inherent beauty of seemingly unnoticed things in the world. Formerly, a traditional media artist, Chris Lane began to focus more on photography. He owns a photography and graphic design business and creates artwork as frequently as his schedule allows. The Unseen Splendor exhibit, opened September 5, was featured during the Art & Wine Walk on September 20.
October 2014 Janet Johnson, Roseau and Bruce Flaig, Fertile Photography
Natural Renditions October 2014
Natural Renditions featured ceramic work by Janet Johnson of Malung along with the nature photography by Bruce D. Flaig of Fertile. These touching works were featured throughout the entire month of October from the1st until the 31st. Janet Johnson grew up in northern Minnesota, and retired from teaching Visual Art and English classes in grades 7 - 12 in Warroad. Janet exposed her students to many mediums and opportunities to show their work, and she developed her own community and artistic skills, too. Janet served on the statewide Arts Best Practice and Quality Teaching networks to help art teachers better connect and collaborate. She has also participated in the NWMAC Community Supported Art program, worked with the Region 1 Arts Council, and supports arts at the Roseau County Fair. Janet is a skilled ceramist who received a grant from the NWMAC to furnish her studio with a new kiln and potter's wheel. Minnesota native Bruce D. Flaig has degrees in chemistry, physics, and meteorology; however, his passion is photographing nature in all its forms. Although he's lived in seven states and two foreign countries, Flaig said he "has photographed in a bunch more" for over twenty years. His work has been published in many magazines including Birder’s World, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Wild Bird, Ranger Rick, and Outdoor Photographer. While his collection of images now numbers over 60,000, the Arts Council gallery featured eleven framed prints and a video of a collection of Bruce's finest works. The Natural Renditions exhibit was featured during the Art & Wine Walk, Saturday, October 18.
November 2014 Student Showcase
The All Autumn Student Art Exhibit was a smashing hit. Art teacher April Symes of Warroad and Deb Aune of Middle River/Greenbush attended with some of their students and their parents. East Grand Forks students from Central Middle School came, along with some of their classmates and a few parents.
Dec 2014 – January 2015 Winter Holiday Showcase
4th Annual Winter Holiday Art Exhibit
18 regional artists from all over Northwest Minnesota participated in the 4th Annual Winter Holiday Art Exhibit. The exhibit included paintings, ceramics, pottery, repurposed wood, wood carvings, photography and so much more. Visitors viewed hand-crafted ceramic tiles and pottery glazed to celebrate the season; watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings expertly depicting family and holiday themes; photographs capturing sparkling winter moments; and even found objects styled into whimsical sculptures. Artists included: Erin Nelson, Brenda Baumer, Jessica Pribula, Julie Elick, Deb Aune, Carolyn Meisel, Kim Wilson, Courtney Jacob, Karen Engevik, Kathy Comstock, Robin and Lorrie Foster, Kate Hammer, George Rinde, Kathryn Rynning, Dave Bruner, Frank A. Joen and Ron Woolever. An artists reception was held Friday, December 12 at the gallery. This exhibit ran through January 11, 2015.