The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces

Immersed in Color Inspired by Culture

Open Through Thursday, November 21

Featuring the Artwork of Shawna Boulette Grapentine

With Joan Kauppi, Therese Masters Jacobson, and Candace Sam

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

NCTC in Thief River Falls

Artist Reception Thurs, Nov 21 from 5:30 -7:30 PM

 The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Immersed in Color Inspired by Culture an exhibit open through November 21. This colorful exhibit includes 29 pieces of art created by four artists in acrylic, watercolor, beading, collage, and an award-winning hockey stick design.

NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett explained, "Our latest exhibit features three Native American Minnesota artists and one non-Native artist. It's a fantastic display of multifaceted creativity. Acrylic, watercolor, beading, mixed media, and college are all part of this unique exhibit." 

You won't want to miss this incredible exhibit open through November at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. An artist reception will be held on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend this free event.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Artist Shawna Boulette Grapentine is a Cree-Ojibway from the Metis community of Manigotagan and is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation. She is known for using silhouettes of nature and vibrant colors in her custom paintings. Shawna’s artwork highlights the beauty of the indigenous culture, her love for mother earth and everything that surrounds her. She is the featured artist in this exhibit.

Candace Sam is from Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Fish Bay First Nations, Ontario. Her mixed media piece in the exhibit is a replica of a drum and is untitled. 

Therese Masters Jacobson of Alvarado has four watercolor and two acrylic portraits. Therese said, "My paintings and drawings are usually water-based acrylics, watercolor, or pen and ink. I paint commissions on request."

Joan Kauppi is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation and is an Anishinaabe businesswoman. She explained that her collage pieces in the exhibit are esemplastic -- having the ability to shape diverse elements or concepts into a unified whole. “The pieces I create are simple, often pairing opposing scale, different eras, backgrounds and focal points. The transformation of merging images changes the story through simplicity.”

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at youtu.be/UxaVpsctorQ.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 - 5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please call to make sure the college is open before making a special trip. Hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free. 

For more information about this exhibit or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 280-4917 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.