Arts News

Call for Art for Welcome the Whimsical Exhibit
Call for Art, Call to Artists, 2025, News Kristin Eggerling Call for Art, Call to Artists, 2025, News Kristin Eggerling

Call for Art for Welcome the Whimsical Exhibit

Call for Art

Welcome the Whimsical Art Exhibit

Submissions Accepted Now Until May 6

 

 The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce a call for art for an upcoming exhibit Welcome the Whimsical: An Art Exhibit Featuring Your Imagination. The deadline for submissions is May 6.

 

Welcome the Whimsical features other worldly experiences. Think playful, unusual, odd, quaint, imagination, or fanciful art or Dr. Seuss-type images. This exhibit is open to students and adults in our 7 county area (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Roseau, and Red Lake). Entry for the exhibit is free.

 

All mediums will be accepted including chalk, oil, sculpture, pencil,  folk art, photography, writing, music, watercolor, acrylic, collage, mixed media, fiber, pen and ink, crayon, clay, pottery, and more!

 

The exhibit will be open May 21- August 15 at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Learn more at the Arts Council website at NWArtsCouncil.org.

 

Please reach out to NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett with questions and submissions at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. Include what you want to submit, how many pieces, dimensions, and attach a photo.

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Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Ada for the Final Stop
Traveling Exhibit, 2025, Exhibits Kristin Eggerling Traveling Exhibit, 2025, Exhibits Kristin Eggerling

Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Ada for the Final Stop

NWMAC Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Ada for the Final Stop

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 14 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 April 24. This is the final stop of this exhibit this year. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.

The 2024-2025 Artists and Artwork:

Beau Bakken, Hallock, “Sunday Evening Classy Entertainment” (Acrylic Painting)

Kelly Chisholm, Gary "John Lennon” (Drawing)

Tammy Hansen, Newfolden, “Flower and Feather” (Acrylic Painting)

Denise R. Jenson, Badger, “Found Lying Together” (Photography)

Steve Bernard, Erskine, “Candlelight Dinner” (Oil Painting)

Sarah Solberg, Plummer, “Canyon X” (Photography)

Jessica Lundeen, Thief River Falls “Sunny” (Drawing)

Izzy Swensen, Lancaster, “Purple Iris” (Watercolor Painting) Lancaster School Student Merit

Kerstyn Lindsey, Borup, “Sprinkles” (Ceramic Sculpture) Ada-Borup-West School

Brigitta Novacek, Roseau, “The Pink Cloud Replica” (Acrylic Painting) Roseau High School

Geneva Gartner, Fertile, “Flying Around” (Mosaic) Fertile-Beltrami School

Mary Jane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Beauty in Self Image” (Drawing) Red Lk Falls School 3rd place

Ava Halvorson, Goodridge, “Sundown in Star Township” (Acrylic Painting) Goodridge School

Kinsley Oslund, Grygla, “Perfect and Deep Love” (Watercolor Painting) Grygla School

The 2024-2025 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:

May to June 11 Crookston Public Library, Crookston

June 11 to August 6 Warroad Public Library, Warroad

August 6 to September 24 Hallock Public Library, Hallock

September 24 to November 19 Godel Public Library, Warren

November 19 to January 21 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls

January 21 to March 4, 2025 Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls

March 4, 2025 to Annual Exhibit TBD Ada Public Library, Ada

*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.

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Artist Reception for Around the Farm Exhibit is Tuesday, March 18 at 5 PM
Events, 2025, Exhibits Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025, Exhibits Kristin Eggerling

Artist Reception for Around the Farm Exhibit is Tuesday, March 18 at 5 PM

Please join us on Tuesday, March 18 for an Artist Reception for our Around the Farm Art Exhibit at our NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all.

The reception is from 5 to 8 PM. At 6 PM the Northern Jazz Band will play.

Around the Farm

Featuring the Artwork of Beau Bakken 

With Rock Bakken, Aimee Ross, Betsy Saurdiff, Stephanie Olson, Jessica Lundeen, Cindy Kolling, Debbie Aune, Janet Knutson, Therese Masters Jacobson, Ross Hier, Annethea Novacek, Loreen Hanson, Alice Hamness, and Kate Hammer

Open Through April 25

This exhibit includes 27 pieces of art created by 15 artists in acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, photography, ceramic, and mixed media. Beau Bakken, the featured artist, has twelve 2' X 3' acrylic on canvas paintings of tractors, elevators, trucks and farmers from NW Minnesota. Many of the pieces are for sale.

In addition to the pieces by Beau Bakken, artists from throughout the region contributed to this showcase, including Rock Bakken of Hallock, Aimee Ross of Fisher, Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla , Stephanie Olson of rural Thief River Falls, Jessica Lundeen of Thief River Falls, Cindy Kolling of Gully, Debbie Aune of Gatzke, Janet Knutson of Gully, Therese Masters Jacobson of Alvarado, Ross Hier of Crookston, Annethea Novacek of Greenbush, Loreen Hanson of Thief River Falls, Alice Hamness (deceased), and Kate Hammer of Roseau.

Farming is more than a job or a career. It is fundamental to our community's way of life, part of our region's cultural identity and history, and deeply rooted in where and how we live, work, and play. This art exhibit celebrates farm life and farming and will highlight the importance of agriculture in the lives of residents of our northwest Minnesota region through art. Art is around the theme of farms, farming, farm machinery, harvest, farmland, agricultural heritage, farm animals, and farm life.

Featured Artist Beau Bakken of Hallock explained, “Ten years ago or so I was working on a farm and found visual inspiration from my boss’s farm trucks. They were decades old, rusty, and full of battle scars. But at the turn of a key, their engines fired and were ready for the day’s work. I filed away in the back of my brain to paint a picture of at least one of these modern workhorses. I’m good for packing away more ideas than I ever have time to put into reality, so this inspiration sat dormant for almost a decade. But over the last year or two, I’ve finally leaned into painting pictures of trucks, tractors, and machinery and quite enjoyed it. Most have been painted from personal photos but also from generous photograph lenders. I never took a photo of the 1960-something green Ford truck that first inspired me, but a photo recently was given to me of my former boss pouring grain out of the old Ford’s back gate. The painting titled, “Ron and the Ford” was a meaningful capstone for me and this farm art project in many ways. Ron Petersen, now with Jesus, was a great boss, farmer, and man of God.  If I continue painting farm related pictures, I hope to find more ways to depict farmers along with their machinery.”

Of her two pieces in the exhibit, Artist Stephanie Olson said, “Both pieces incorporate traditional quilt square patterns, combined with personal feelings and witness to current times."

Aliza Novacek-Olson shared:  "I love paintings of red barns, so I was excited when I heard about the topic of the upcoming exhibit. I own a painting done by my grandmother, Alice Hamness (deceased) about 60 years ago. Alice is the mother of my mom Annethea Novacek and my aunt Loreen. I thought it was special to see paintings of the same subject matter from three different women in the same family, so I convinced my Mom and Loreen Hanson to submit their paintings, too."

You won't want to miss this interesting exhibit open through April 25 at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls.

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/NoQwejK5jmI

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 - 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, visit our website at NWArtsCouncil.org, 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.

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Grant Writing Training is Tuesday, Feb 11 at 4PM — RSVP Today
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

Grant Writing Training is Tuesday, Feb 11 at 4PM — RSVP Today

We offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is Tuesday, February 11 at 4 PM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org. You can take advantage of the opportunity to come into our office and work on your grant in our grant writing space!

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Traveling Art Exhibit is in Hallock
Traveling Exhibit, News Kristin Eggerling Traveling Exhibit, News Kristin Eggerling

Traveling Art Exhibit is in Hallock

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 14 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 Hallock Public Library until September 24. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.

The 2024-2025 Artists and Artwork:

Beau Bakken, Hallock, “Sunday Evening Classy Entertainment” (Acrylic Painting)

Kelly Chisholm, Gary "John Lennon” (Drawing)

Tammy Hansen, Newfolden, “Flower and Feather” (Acrylic Painting)

Denise R. Jenson, Badger, “Found Lying Together” (Photography)

Steve Bernard, Erskine, “Candlelight Dinner” (Oil Painting)

Sarah Solberg, Plummer, “Canyon X” (Photography)

Jessica Lundeen, Thief River Falls “Sunny” (Drawing)

Izzy Swensen, Lancaster, “Purple Iris” (Watercolor Painting) Lancaster School Student Merit

Kerstyn Lindsey, Borup, “Sprinkles” (Ceramic Sculpture) Ada-Borup-West School

Brigitta Novacek, Roseau, “The Pink Cloud Replica” (Acrylic Painting) Roseau High School

Geneva Gartner, Fertile, “Flying Around” (Mosaic) Fertile-Beltrami School

Mary Jane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Beauty in Self Image” (Drawing) Red Lk Falls School 3rd place

Ava Halvorson, Goodridge, “Sundown in Star Township” (Acrylic Painting) Goodridge School

Kinsley Oslund, Grygla, “Perfect and Deep Love” (Watercolor Painting) Grygla School

The 2024-2025 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:

May to June 11 Crookston Public Library, Crookston

June 11 to August 6 Warroad Public Library, Warroad

August 6 to September 24 Hallock Public Library, Hallock

September 24 to November 19 Godel Public Library, Warren

November 19 to January 21 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls

January 21 to March 4, 2025 Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls

March 4, 2025 to Annual Exhibit TBD Ada Public Library, Ada

*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 or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.

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Join our board!
News Kristin Eggerling News Kristin Eggerling

Join our board!

NWMAC is looking for board members to serve a three year term starting in June 2024.  At this time, we are prioritizing the recruitment of men and people of color, in order to keep diversity on our board and learn from members who represent different demographics.  First steps are to talk with our Executive Director Mara Hanel about being a Board member and what to expect while you serve.  If you are a good candidate, you will be asked to fill out a self nomination form.  A love of supporting artists and arts activity is a must, as well as basic computer skills to attend zoom meetings and score online applications.   

To learn more, visit https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/boardmembership, email Mara at director@nwartscouncil.org or call our office at 218-745-8886, ext 1.

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Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil
NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling

Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces

Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints

Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024

Artist Reception Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM — The O’Neil Family Band will perform

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil. This exhibit is open through April at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

East Grand Forks Artist Jeanne O’Neil explained, “The focus of this show is the celebration of Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed. We are both folk musicians and visual artists, and it is fitting to bring these forms of artistic expression together, as the tunes and art are both inspired by the rural landscapes we live in.”

The newest prints in this show come from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land. “Walking the fields and pathways every day, year after year, the colors, contrasts, textures and lines of trees, grasses, sky, river are impressed in my mind, creating an accumulated knowledge of these places. The making of each print creates a deeper knowing and a stronger connection to that knowing.

Jeanne’s daughter Erin O’Neil learned to play the fiddle by the age of seven. Erin plays by ear and the Twenty of Plenty tune book project was an effort to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians who read music. With a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the McKnight Foundation, she collaborated with a folk musician originally from Norway. The descriptions and illustration throughout the book offer insight into the meaning of the compositions. The cultural influences for these tunes include French Canadian, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish traditional fiddle music, New England Contra Dance music, Old Time Appalachian music, and Metis fiddle tunes.

Erin also has Rag Folk pieces in this exhibit. The Rag Folk represent preservation of what has been used in everyday life and creating new lives out of old scraps and rags. The Rag Folk contain memories and essences of what has passed, and the joy of childhood carried forward and honored in adulthood. Erin started creating these pieces with a passion for recycling and reducing waste and a desire to connect with others.

Jeanne and Erin both play in the O’Neil Family Band. Erin plays the fiddle and feet, while Jeanne plays the banjo and concertina. The band holds many community dances in our region.

Watch this video featuring Erin’s music for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/8lZbCEPmtik.

An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be refreshments and live music by the O’Neil Family Band.

Most of the pieces in the exhibit are for sale. You can purchase at any time and pick it when the exhibit is over.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

For more information about this exhibit our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 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.

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Pulled in Many Directions Exhibit Photography by Andy Hall is Open
NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling

Pulled in Many Directions Exhibit Photography by Andy Hall is Open

We are pleased to announce the opening of Pulled in Many Directions Photography by Andy Hall. This exhibit is open through February 26 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

Take a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/81b-LEr1S8c

Andy Hall has been a full-time photographer for more than 23 years. He lives in Climax and owns Sweetlight Gallery in Crookston. According to Andy, his subject matter “varies tremendously and my techniques are ever evolving. What comes to life through my camera is all but invisible to me until I quiet my mind and allow my eyes to see the perfection in the obvious and the stunning beauty of the often overlooked. I revel in discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary!”

Of his technique and methods, Andy explained, “The photographs that you see here were created with digital cameras, a variety of lenses, a handful of filters and a tripod. I own camera gear from several different manufacturers. I print on archival photographic paper and canvas. I spray coat my canvases with a water-based UV protection that also makes them quite durable. I perform all aspects of my craft.”

There are 45 pieces in this exhibit that are either wrapped in canvas or framed canvas. All are for sale. In addition, Andy can tailor make any print to multiple sizes. All of the images in the exhibit are available in at least 5 other sizes and offered on canvas or metal, framed or unframed. He also offers paper prints that can be matted or framed to your own personal preference. Visit his website sweetlightphoto.com to view many other photographs. To make a purchase, contact Andy at 612-269-3601.

Showcase Specialist Trey Everett shared, “I have known Andy and seen him work over the years. He is all about quality. He spends hours upon hours finding the perfect shot, sometimes standing outside in subzero weather, keeping his camera and hands as warm as possible. His artwork is instantly captivating and mesmerizing. Andy is continually experimenting with subject matter, so his work is always evolving and expanding. This exhibit is a taste of the talent of Andy Hall.”

An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, January 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be live music, drinks, and dessert.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

For other information look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 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.

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