The Great State of Minnesota 

an exhibit reflecting 

What Minnesota Means to Me

Open Now Through August 28

NWMAC Gallery 

Northland Community and Technical College 

1101 State Highway 1, Thief River Falls

Artist Reception Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30 to 8 PM

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce The Great State of Minnesota  at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College, 1101 Highway 1 East in Thief River Falls. This exhibit includes 51 pieces, including pen and ink, oil, mixed media, photography, acrylic, screen print, fiber art, poetry, ceramic, block print, watercolor, charcoal, and paper mache by 30 area artists, and will run through August 28.

Minnesota received a lot of attention lately because of the ICE surge of 3,000 officers in January, large civil protests in freezing winter weather, and famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen writing songs about this historical moment in Minnesota. Because of this, the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is highlighting our state in this exhibit. We asked artists what does Minnesota mean to you?

Minnesota evokes many feelings and meanings to different people. Maybe it's blueberry picking, cabin life, morel or deer hunting, walleye fishing, or the land of 10,000 lakes; the power of community, snowflakes and cold, or pine trees; terms like Minnesota Nice, You betcha or Uff da; foods like wild rice, hot dishes, or lefse. Our sports teams including the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, The Wild, Loons, and Lynx; 

Icons such as Mary Tyler Moore, Prince, and Bob Dylan; Or our state symbols like the Rusty Patched Bumblebee(state bee), Monarch (state butterfly), Lady’s Slipper (state flower) or the Honeycrisp Apple (state fruit), or Agate (the state gemstone).

Jessica Ross shared, “Minnesota is my home as well as home to the many little living things that inspire my artwork. This show will be a great composition of Minnesota through the eyes of local artists. I entered my piece because I like viewers to stop and think about the small things in life that we tend to overlook at times. It just takes a moment to pause and be reminded of the beauty in this world. My artwork “Minnesota’s Ladies” focuses on small moments of wonder within Minnesota forests.”

Acacia Winters explained, “Being a transplant to the state of Minnesota has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. I love how amazing this state is geographically. Its vast landscapes and rocky superior shores mixed with the epicness of the Twin Cities always means there is something to do and explore. The things that keep me here are the wonderful people and communities I’ve been invited into and helped create. This has made this state into my home. People should visit to see the incredible talent of artists in northern Minnesota.”

Therese Masters Jacobson said, “Minnesotans emphasize kindness, empathy, and prosocial behavior, or in other words, they are nice. Minnesota has long been a refuge and haven for many people, like my childhood family who visited each summer from Illinois. A change during my adult life brought me back to Minnesota—a place to belong.”

Finally, Debbie Dahl Aune said,” My Gramma Esther Dahl picked blueberries with me until she was 82. Living in northern Minnesota we found the true peace of God as we trekked around Beltrami Forest, the Mud Lake Refuge and the McDonaugh Swamp. Still today, I find the outdoors to be my favorite distraction from the political and economic uncertainties of the day. Today, I still get out to the forests, however, you'll find me painting Plein Air as well as picking.”

As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this summer, visit our exhibit to see the art created about Minnesota. Artists were encouraged to reflect on Minnesota as the Northstar State, our Minnesota State Flag, our Great Seal of Minnesota, and our state symbols. Minnesota’s motto is L'Etoile du Nord = Star of the North, which refers to Polaris, the North Star, that remains in the same spot in the night sky, representing stability and direction. Our flag symbolizes the state's natural resources, identity, and future. It features a light blue field (water/sky), a dark blue shape (state outline/night sky), and a white 8-point "North Star" representing our motto and the state's northern location. The 8-point star also represents guidance, hope, and its northern position, while also honoring diverse cultural heritage, including Native American designs, Nordic patterns, and barn quilts, and echoing the star on the Capitol’s rotunda. It’s a multicultural symbol, often appearing like four “M”s for Minnesota and resembling a snowflake, connecting to the state’s climate and indigenous artistry. The Great Seal of Minnesota features a common loon (our state bird), the North Star, wild rice, Norway pines (state tree), and stylized water, with the Dakota phrase "Mni Sóta Makoce" -- "Land where the waters reflect the skies."

Take a virtual walk through of this exhibit at https://youtu.be/X3M3S9H95GI (on the NWMAC YouTube page). The video is also available on our website under the exhibits tab on the top of the homepage. 

An Artist Reception will be held at the gallery on Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30 to 8 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE event. Refreshments will be served. Thief River Falls ACT will be performing the play Frozen in the NCTC theater that evening.

The NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls is at 1101 State Highway 1, Thief River Falls 56701. The gallery is open during Monday-Friday from 8 – 4:30 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, especially during the summer. 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.