Arts News
Artist Reception for Figures of Ghosts and Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson Oct 18 6-8PM
Figures of Ghosts and Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson Artist Reception Oct 18 from 6-8 PM
Exhibit is Open through Wednesday, November 29
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls
Please join us for an Artist Reception on Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 8 PM at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be live fiddle music and refreshments will be served. Stephanie will be live painting at the event.
Stephanie Olson lives with her husband and kids in rural Thief River Falls. She holds a Writing MFA degree from Hamline University and works as a public-school English teacher. But visual art always calls her back. Her visual work has appeared in a number of group shows, including past exhibits with the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, two This Week Only exhibits at the North Dakota Museum of Art, and a group show at the Vine Arts Center in Minneapolis.
Figures of Ghosts and Dreams includes 42 pieces of watercolor on paper, India ink on paper, and acrylic on wood, cork, and canvas. Stephanie explained, “This exhibit reflects the art that comes to me. When I sit down with an idea, with a plan, my art fails almost every time. But when I sit down with no intention, it's like a door is left open. In the beginning, my art was more abstract: lines, color, depth. Now, I have these figures. Sometimes they seem peaceful, as if visiting from a dream. Sometimes they remind me of loved ones who have passed on, like visiting ghosts. There are undeniable motifs that I can't escape: houses, snakes, dogs, cats, women. I must let it all come as it is, like the weather. I wouldn't say it's like the notion of a muse taking over, not at all. It's more like a house filling up with guests. I'm never sure how long they'll stay, but this is what I find when I manage to steal time to sit down and paint. It's always a surprise. Try it! You never know who might show up, who you might meet.”
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 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.
Hispanic Heritage Month activities at NCTC
Northland Community and Technical College is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a number of activities including a photography exhibit Roots of the Red River Valley, an event called A Seat at the Table on Saturday, October 14 with individuals demonstrating dances and offering a few lessons for those interested, food, and more!
Artist Reception for Art and Spirituality Exhibit Wednesday, September 27 from 6 to 8 PM
Please join us for an Artist Reception for our Art & Spirituality Exhibit. The reception will be held at our gallery at NCTC from 6 to 8 pm. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to attend. George French will be playing some piano pieces!
Art & Spirituality, featuring the art of Sister Denise Schonhardt, also includes artwork by Trey Everett, Gail Ose, Elizabeth Wavra, Betsy Saurdiff, and Noah Hanson and is open through September 29 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Sister Denise Schonhardt of Crookston is an accomplished painter who “grew up among the hills, lakes, and trees,” which is evident in her art. She explained that her “paintings are about how colors interact, how they push and pull, how they change each other, and how they convey emotion.”
The 35 pieces in this exhibit include oil and acrylic paintings, ceramic art, and pen and ink and depict the nuances and breadth of spirituality. Showcase Specialist Trey Everett explained, “I am very happy with our newest exhibit "Art and Spirituality." It is difficult to convey in words and sentences what spirituality is to us let alone our personal spiritual experiences. However, art, in any form, can express the transcendent. The artwork in this exhibit is highly varied and a very intimate expression of what spirituality is to each artist. Sister Denise's hypnotic and prophetic artwork gave the whole gallery a surreal orange-red tint when it was installed. The religious philosopher Rudolf Otto coined the word Numinous from the Latin word numen which means a "divine majesty" or "presiding spirit." He believed "that the essence of holiness was to invoke in the observer a feeling of awe, wonder, and even dread." He called this the "Numinous." I hope when people interact with this exhibit, they experience the numinous, a sense of peace and awe as well as a sense of unease and challenge.”
For more information about this exhibit visit northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/blog/art-amp-spirituality-exhibit-featuring-sister-denise-schonhardt-is-open 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.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
Warroad Summer Theatre presents Nana’s Naughty Knickers
Warroad Summer Theatre presents Nana’s Naughty Knickers. Tickets are available.
Art & Wine Walk in Thief River Falls July 27
On Thursday, July 27 the Zehlians are sponsoring an Art & Wine Walk in Thief River Falls from 4 to 8 PM.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Art and Wine Walk. The cost is $20. Pre-register online at EventBrite. Same day registration and check in will be at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls from 4 to 6 pm on the 27th. Artists are located at businesses throughout Thief River Falls. Attendees can view and purchase art and are provided snacks and wine at each business stop. There will be drawings for door prizes afterwards at the Rusty Nail. This event features many local visual artists, as well as authors and jewelry artists and more!
Artist Reception for Student Art Exhibit Tuesday, June 27 6 to 8PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Invites You to the Artist Reception for the
Student Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork from NW Minnesota
Where: Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery, NCTC in Thief River Falls
When: Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 PM
This exhibit features art by area students throughout northwest Minnesota, including the schools of Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kittson Central in Hallock, Ada-Borup West, Fosston, Tri-County in Karlstad, and Roseau.
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/UQX4C4upQqg.
The artist reception at the gallery will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8PM in conjunction with the 101 Dalmatians play at Northland Community and Technical College. Refreshments will be served.
Children’s author Wanda Nelson will be signing and selling her books during the reception.
Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event.
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. During the summer, the college may be closed on Friday afternoons. Please check before making a special trip or visit the exhibit at other times. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about our exhibits 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.
North Country Fiddle & Dance presents lynx lynx June 19
North Country Fiddle and Dance and EGF Campbell Library presents
lynx lynx
Monday, June 19th 20237 to 9 pm
East Grand Forks Campbell Library
422 4th Street N.W.
Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian- Swedish folk music duo – lynx lynx. The variety of strings includes fiddles, Hardanger fiddles, guitars, and even a mandolin. The mix of tunes is put together by both their original and traditional Nordic fiddle tunes.This is what music sounds like between two Scandinavian transplants in the Midwest coming together to share their fiddle tunes
Admission is free will donation at the door
Tending the Creative Soul with Ross Hier April 12
For our next TCS we will have birder and fellow artist Ross Hier. Ross will share about his February birding adventure in Costa Rica as well as his lifelong bird artwork.
Like art, birds reveal a spot of beauty with their plumes and songs and allow us to escape the stressful and mundane. Ross has captured the simplicity, as well as the complexity of birds.
Ross’s love of nature from a young age led him to a career as a wildlife biologist. He retired after 35 years with the Minnesota DNR Wildlife Section. A self-taught artist, he thoroughly enjoys the versatility of transparent watercolors. Nature provides him with unlimited subject material. Many of his subject ideas arose after observing some interaction in nature, landscape, or creatures. “I am drawn more to days when life wasn’t so driven by technology and was lived at a slower pace.“
Our next TCS is April 12, 5:00 PM via Zoom. Reach out to Trey for a Zoom invite. Everyone is welcome to attend!
The Art of Addiction: An Exhibit Featuring the Ceramic Art of Kate Hammer
The Art of Addiction
An Exhibit Featuring the Ceramic Art of Kate Hammer and
Artwork by Other NW Minnesota Artists
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through Friday, April 28
Artist Reception Rescheduled to April 18 from 3 to 5PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of our latest exhibit -- The Art of Addiction. This exhibit is open through Friday, April 28 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
The exhibit features ceramic art by Roseau Potter Kate Hammer and other pieces of art by NW Minnesota artists around the theme of addiction. Kate Hammer explained, “For me this exhibit symbolizes healing and growth as an artist and a person living in recovery.” Other artists with work in the exhibit are Courtney Olson of Crookston, Mara Hanel of Warren, and Karrie Taie of Roseau.
In addition, there are 9 12 x12 canvas paintings included in the exhibit that were created in a workshop with residents of the Northwestern Apartments transitional living facility in Crookston. Mike Anderson who manages the apartments stated, “For those who have struggled with mental health and substance use problems in their life, recovery is a sometimes long and arduous path. Often it can literally be a life and death struggle. Residents of the Northwestern Apartments (NWA) transitional living facility know that struggle intimately. Many residents come to NWA from inpatient mental health facilities, homeless shelters, substance use programs, and incarceration. Criteria for admission is to have a serious mental illness, and about 3/4 of residents also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. But whether it is stabilizing mental health symptoms, or the daily challenge to stay clean and sober, recovery is the goal of all. Inclusion in this art therapy project, The Art of Addiction, was a great way for residents to “go deeper.” After an initial session with local artist Trey Everett, the residents engaged with supplies and canvas to work on their own creation, with the general theme of addiction and recovery as a guide. Residents spent a week with their art. Many did several art pieces. Some were unable to finish one. Others felt their art was too personal to put on display. The project was captivating – residents were in the community room, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, at all times of the day and night, working on their art, talking, and healing. One of the keys to recovery is connection, and this project provided that in addition to a personal and therapeutic experience that helped all involved on their healing path.”
Join us for an online discussion with Kate Hammer on Monday, March 20 at 11:00 am on the NWMAC Facebook or YouTube pages. After the broadcast, you’ll be able to watch the Artist Spotlight recording on our website, Facebook or YouTube.
Take a virtual tour of the exhibit here.
Join us for an artist reception at the gallery on Tuesday, April 18 from 3 to 5pm. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no cost. Please note this has been rescheduled from an earlier date!
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 our exhibits 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. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.
North Country Fiddle & Dance Events Feb 26 and March 18
North Country Fiddle & Dance has 2 upcoming events in February and March. Both are free to attend!
February 26 from 1 to 3 PM in Warren
Marshall County Historical Society , in collaboration with North Country Fiddle and Dance, is hosting an afternoon Community Dance at Settler's Square, 808 E. Johnson Ave. in. Warren. This community dance is from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It features live music by O'Neil Family Band.
Donations at the door
All are welcome!
Saturday, March 18 from 7:30 to 10 pm in East Grand Forks
North Country Fiddle and Dance will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Dance from 7:30 to 10:00 pm.
Live music with O'Neil Family Band
Caller: Shawn Glidden of St.Paul MN
East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
East Grand Forks
All ages -singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...
All dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door
To learn more find them online at northcountrydance.org.
Tending the Creative Soul — Join us for a discussion of future Creative Souls February 8
Hello Artists! Your input is requested.
Join us on Wednesday, February 8 from 5 to 6 pm via zoom or email Trey with your ideas.
Tending the Creative Soul is transforming. Trey would love to hear your ideas for TCS in 2023.
Would you like TCS to meet at a different time? Evenings, mornings, weekends, midnight?
In-person gatherings instead of/along with Zoom gatherings?
What locations would you recommend for in-person gatherings?
Would you be open to hosting occasionally either in person or Zoom?
What length of time seems good to you?
What topics are you interested in?
What topics have you appreciated in the past?
Special guests?
Multiple Zoom or in-person gatherings to choose from each month?
Other thoughts?
For our next TCS, Wednesday, February 8 from 5PM to 6PM, we will be discussing the future of TCS. If you can't make it to our Zoom gathering this week please send Trey an email with your thoughts at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com.
Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera Exhibit at NWMAC Gallery is Open
Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera
An Exhibit Featuring the Artwork of
Christine Foster and Bert Foster
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through Friday, March 3
Artist Reception Tuesday, January 31 from 6 to 8 pm
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera -- An Exhibit Featuring the Artwork of Christine Foster and Bert Foster. The exhibit is open through Friday, March 3 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
The exhibit is composed of paintings created by Christine Foster and photographs taken by Bert Foster. Christine Foster has a masterful way of painting light amid everyday life. With rural scenes from NW Minnesota, Christine Foster’s work feels like you’re back on the farm. Of the photography in the exhibit, Bert Foster explained, “This exhibit is comprised of photos taken over the past four years. All the places, people, and animals you see are in Minnesota. These images come from the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Itasca State Park area, the Park Rapids lakes area, and my own backyard outside of Thief River Falls –- some of my favorite places in our beautiful state. My selection of color and black and white images capture scenes that inspire me and will hopefully inspire those who view them.”
Bert is a long-time photographer. He said, “I have been taking photos for about as long as I can remember. I recall snapping my first pics at age 8 using my parents’ Kodak Instamatic. In middle school I bought my first camera, a Kodak that produced instant prints, like a Polaroid. In high school I got my first 35mm SLR camera, and it’s been on and on from there...
My favorite subject to photograph is Nature. I greatly enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. While I am experiencing beautiful and interesting places, I love to capture images of what I see. Through my photos I seek to portray Nature in a way that is both familiar and unique, engaging, and inspiring.”
Bert appreciates the photography workshops that he’s taken with the help of grants from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council. Through the workshops, he learned new skills and was inspired to try new things as an artist.
Christine Foster is a visual artist who enjoys seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. “When I discover that moment, I feel compelled to capture it. Capturing the light is essential! When I am in the process of creating, I feel timeless -- at one with my Creator and free. My favorite way of painting is plein air, where I paint outside directly at the site -- the sounds I hear, the weather I feel, and the sights and smells I experience all influence the artwork. Art is about the communication between the artwork, the Creator, and the artist, and the artwork, the Creator, and the observer. Art is not just the end-product itself. Art is an expression, an experience, and a communication.”
Christine specializes in drawing, oil, and watercolor. She has been a working artist for over 30 years. She graduated from Bethel College (University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Art Education and had the privilege of mentoring under Dale Johnson. Dale taught her vision, visual expression, and artistic inspiration. She then had the honor of being mentored by Joe Paquet, a nationally renowned artist, for 7 years. Joe taught her how to see, as well as how to capture value, light, atmosphere, and color. He also showed her how to find unity and connectedness in her painting.
You won’t want to miss this interesting exhibit!
Please join us for an Artist Reception with Christine and Bert on Tuesday, January 31 from 6 to 8 pm at the gallery.
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.
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. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.
CANCELED —Teaching Artist Roster Program (TARP) has upcoming training scheduled Apply until January 11!
Teaching Artist Roster Program (TARP) Training Will Be Held January-February 2023
Apply by January 11
What is being offered?
This is a series of 7 training sessions on professionally marketing and teaching your art form to students. Sessions include business skills on lesson plans, artistic statements, web listing, mock grant application on sponsoring you, mock press release on yourself.
Who should apply?
Area creatives interested in earning income by working within our local schools and festivals as an artist in residency.
Who will facilitate the training?
Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls again has agreed to serve as our consultant. Jane has led four cohorts in the past and does a great job. She’s also lots of fun.
When and Where will this be held?
Online for six Thursdays in 2023 from January 19 until February 23 from 6-9 PM on Zoom. Training ends on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in person in Warren from 10 AM - 4 PM.
What is the result?
In addition to honing your teaching skills, you will join our Teaching Artist Roster list on our website where schools and festivals go to select who they would like to sponsor with our grant funds. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive training for free! Being selected into the TARP cohort is the equivalent of receiving a $500 grant award.
How Do I Apply?
Log into our grants systems via the Grant Login button in the top righthand corner of our website. You will apply through that system.
Questions?
Reach out to our director, Mara Hanel at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or 218-745-8886.
Tending the Creative Soul November 9 - Mandalas
We will be talking about and creating our own Mandalas during this Tending the Creative Soul. Mandalas are symbols of wholeness and healing and have been used throughout time in a variety of cultures and various religions as well as in psychology. Carl Jung wrote,
“I sketched every morning in a notebook a small circular drawing, a mandala, which seemed to correspond to my inner situation at the time... Only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is.... the Self, the wholeness of the personality, which if all goes well, is harmonious.”
This TCS will be Wednesday, November 9 from 5:00 to 6:00PM. Have paper and paint or markers or colored pencils. Also if you like perfect circles bring various sized circle templates.
Contact Trey for the Zoom invite at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend!
Siama’s Congo Roots Oct 17 in East Grand Forks
Siama’s Congo Roots Oct 17 in East Grand Forks at the Campbell Library showcase music and storytelling.
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers Art Workshop for Adults with Disabilities
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers art workshop for adults with disabilities on October 14 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
Tending the Creative Soul September 14
Tending the Creative Soul will be Wednesday, September 14 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. This event is online and open to anyone who would like to join. Email Trey for a Zoom invite at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com.
We will be exploring Creativity and Music. How does music influence your creative process? If you are a musician what helps you get into the flow? Who or what styles of music are some of your inspirations? If you aren't a musician how do you experience music as a creative force? Please join us!