Arts News
Musician Randy Larson is Artist of the Year
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Randy Larson of Gatzke is the Northwest Minnesota Artist of the Year for Music. This award was presented on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson.
Larson is a talented musician who sings and plays bass guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and lead guitar. In Debbie Dahl Aune’s nomination she shared, “Randy is an artist in every sense of the word. We sometimes forget about the musical artists; the vocal artists; the sound and equipment artists living right under our noses.”
Randy was 17 when his high school quartet created The Back Behind the Barn Boys. The Barn Boys, their abridged title, started out as a vocal group playing county fairs and contests. After a year the band added drums, piano, and guitar and played at weddings, clubs, fairs, country music festivals and dance floors. Then, the Barn Boys hit the road full time touring 23 states and 3 provinces. With one 45 record, 2 albums and a CD, Randy and the band played with or fronted many national acts including, Alabama, Gatlin Brothers, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio, Charlie Daniels, Kentucky Headhunters, Restless Heart, Reba McEntire, Southern Pacific, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Marshall Tucker, and Nitty Gritty Dirt band.
In the 1980s, Randy and the band represented Minnesota when they performed at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee and won the Star Search Wrangler Jean competition. The song “Come on Sunday Morning," written by The Barn Boys, reached #88 on Billboard, #68 on Cashbox, and #2 on the National Indie Charts and stayed on the charts for 8 weeks. The band sang the national anthem at a Twins game and through the years played at We Fest in Detroit Lakes many times. Randy has also played with the bands Equinox, Imagine, Saddle Tramp, and Eagle Creek.
According to Dean Hedlund, “Randy Larson is a one-of-a-kind musician. He grasps a new song instantly, and he's at home on nearly any instrument that's put in front of him. Randy is a unifier and one who inspires - he's like super-glue that holds a band together. He not only tightens up a band musically but brings cohesiveness. He's a player-coach, a Wayne Gretzky type of addition to a team, making everyone want to do their very best. Young people see and hear him play, and how many of them he's inspired to pursue their own musical talents is impossible to guess.”
Larson gave this advice for aspiring musicians, “You have to work for it. I spent a lot of time on the instruments. It’s a perishable talent. Don’t give up on it and don’t get discouraged. Surround yourself with others who help you. Have fun with it. Just have music in your life.”
Fellow bandmate and Back Behind the Barn Boys co-founder Terry Ruud, said “Since our Barn Boy days, Randy has been involved in all aspects of music -- playing in bands, filling in for bands in need, playing any instrument he picks up, writing and recording songs with his brother Lowell, mentoring his own children and others in their own bands and talents, operating sound consoles and PAs at schools, churches, fairs, and other functions---often times volunteering, sometimes solving audio problems in emergency situations. He is always helping and encouraging aspiring area musicians and artists. Not only that, but he has also been known to quietly donate quality equipment and instruments to local schools needing them.”
On the impact of the arts on society, Larson shared “there’s always some turmoil in the world. The only thing that consistently brings people together is music. It’s one of the few things that doesn’t drag you down. Art is everywhere.”
Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.
Congratulations, Randy Larson!
Of the Year Award Winners Announced
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is Pleased to Announce Of the Year Award Winners
Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.
Of the Year Award Winners for 2024 include:
Randy Larson of Gatzke is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Music. Larson has played with many bands, including Back Behind the Barn Boys and Eagle Creek. He’s been a mentor to aspiring musicians in our region. Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Congratulations, Randy!
Rom Ogaard of Crookston will be awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Ogaard has been a longtime radio host at KSRQ 90.1 radio at Northland Community and Technical College and will be retiring in April. As Ron West, he has partnered with the NWMAC to offer a weekly radio segment that promotes artists, the arts, and arts organizations. He also hosts segments that feature the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks. These radio programs have brought news and information about the arts to our region and beyond. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Congratulations, Rom!
Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla will receive the Northwest Star Award. Betsy is a retired German and visual arts teacher from the Grygla and Goodridge School Districts. In 2018 Betsy was named Arts Advocate of the Year. She is a well-known potter in our region and sells her work out of her studio BettsPottery and at art shows. She's had a solo show in our gallery and is a regular entrant and award winner in our annual NW Art Exhibit. The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award. Congratulations, Betsy!
These awards will be presented on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum. The NW Art Exhibit will be open that day for viewing artwork starting at Noon. A reception with light refreshments and music will start at 2:00 PM with the awards program at 3:00 PM. The exhibit and reception are open to the public and free to attend. The reception is a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region. Please join us!
Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.
Debbie Dahl Aune is Artist of the Year
Debbie Dahl Aune is Artist of the Year
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Debbie Dahl Aune of Gatzke is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Visual Arts. This award was presented on Sunday, April 30 at the Middle River Legacy Center.
Aune is a visual artist who works in many mediums. She is the Art Teacher at the Greenbush Middle River Public School, as well as the Greenbush Middle River Art Club Advisor, a frequent art project presenter at the Creativity Festival in Bemidji, and a community ed instructor. She has entered and placed often in the annual NW Minnesota Art Exhibit, receiving merit, second, first, and People’s Choice awards. Finally, Aune has exhibited her work in many NWMAC themed exhibits, including several solo shows. Last year Debbie was featured on a MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) segment and in a Prairie Mosaic video on Prairie Public Television.
Aune received a BS in Art Education from Bemidji State University and has taken graduate course work at several institutions, allowing her to study under many well-known artists.
Aune said “My biggest joy is watching children and adults find their inner artist.” When asked what she enjoys about creating art, she stated, “The personal side. The connection with the people, the place. Doing a piece for someone and they love it.”
Susan Hougen Lieberg explained, “Debbie's gift as an art teacher is that she is an artist, a true artist. She can find inspiration in anything, and she finds so much in her students. Just like her paintings invite viewers into the scenes she's created, she also invites her students into the creative process -- all the bumps and warts and making lemonade out of lemons. Almost magically, her students tap into themselves to create beautiful works of art: woodcuts, watercolors, sculptures, portraits, and more… Aune’s artwork delivers joy to so many.”
Greenbush Middle River Superintendent Larry Guggisberg shared, “During her nearly three decades as an art teacher, Debbie has single-handedly developed arts programs for the entire K-12 program in the GMR School District. Over the years, her experience at making contacts and savvy at securing funding for arts programs has been invaluable and has touched the lives of students. Without her successful efforts and dedication, our students would not receive the exposure to the Arts as they have. Mrs. Aune has kept Visual Arts in this northwest Minnesota school at the forefront.”
Finally, KayDell Super explained “The most important aspect of Deb’s artistic skills is her ability to spread the love of art to her students and everyone around her. Her enthusiasm for art, creative possibilities, and life in general radiates as soon as she steps in the room. During her tenure as art teacher, hundreds of students have been encouraged to pursue their love of art – and those that were unsure, left her program with the love of art in their hearts. Deb has not kept her talents to herself – her community has benefitted and been enriched with not only her final artistic works, but with her creative ideas and energy to improve the community with these ideas and leadership.”
Aune is passionate about painting outdoors. She explained, “I take care of my personal side with painting en plein air. A painter can go to an en plein air event. It doesn’t cost much. Join others. Get out there. You are outside. There is no better place to paint.”
She encourages everyone to give art a try. “Elementary is where you get the most bang for your buck. If you are in high school, take those art classes. There are workshops. Many are available for no cost. Don’t be scared to jump right in.”
Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.
Congratulations, Debbie Dahl Aune!
Of the Year Award Winners Announced
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is Pleased to Announce this Year’s
Of the Year Award Winners
Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.
Of the Year Award Winners include:
Debbie Dahl Aune of Gatzke is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Visual Arts. Aune is a visual artist who works in many mediums. She is the art teacher at the Greenbush Middle River Public School, as well as the Greenbush Middle River Art Club Advisor, a frequent art project presenter at the Creativity Festival in Bemidji, and a community ed instructor. Debbie has entered and placed often in the annual NW Minnesota Art Exhibit, receiving merit, second, first, and People’s Choice awards. Finally, she has exhibited her work in many NWMAC themed exhibits, including several solo shows. Last year Debbie was featured on a MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) segment and in a Prairie Mosaic video on Prairie Public Television. Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Congratulations, Debbie!
Bonnie Stewart of Fosston will be awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Stewart has been a champion of the arts in Fosston for decades. She serves on the boards of the East Polk Heritage Center, the Pine to Prairie Folk School, the FCLAA, and the Firefly Center for Art and Wellbeing. Through these board positions and volunteering in city-related and other projects, she has led and initiated programming and education efforts, secured artwork for exhibition at the Sorenson Gallery and performing artists at the Fosston Community Library and Arts Center Theatre, written numerous grants and assisted area artists with grant writing. Bonnie’s tireless commitment to the arts has made a tremendous impact in our region. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Congratulations, Bonnie!
Cathy Erickson of Middle River will receive the Northwest Star Award. Erickson is a well-known musician and radio show host in the area. She has been entertaining professionally in northwestern Minnesota and beyond, playing old-time music for almost 50 years. Cathy plays the accordion, piano, organ, guitar, and vocals. She also hosts her own radio show Cathy’s Variety Show that airs every Monday night on the Northland Community and Technical radio station KSRQ Pioneer 90.1 FM. The live variety show consists of polkas, waltzes, classic country, bluegrass, gospel, and local artists. Additionally, she hosts two other live weekly radio shows – Country Church and Live from the Farm. In 2022, Cathy received the “Volunteer of the Year'' award from AMPERS, the Association of Minnesota Public and Educational Radio Stations, for the volunteer work she has done in broadcasting and in promoting 90.1 FM community radio and old-time music. The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award. Congratulations, Cathy!
These awards will be presented on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center. The NW Art Exhibit will be open that day for viewing artwork starting at 1:00 PM. A reception with light refreshments and music will start at 3:00 PM in the cafeteria with the awards program at 4:00 PM. The exhibit and reception are open to the public and free to attend. The reception is a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region. Please join us!
Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.