Arts News
Artwork by Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil featured in NCTC display case
Just outside the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls are display cases that feature work by area artists. Check out the display case with work by visual artists and folk musicians Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil. Pieces in the display case include Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed, prints from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land, and Rag Folk pieces created by Erin.
You may know of Jeanne and Erin through their work playing 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.
The two recently had an exhibit in our gallery. To virtually walk through that exhibit, watch this video featuring Erin’s music at https://youtu.be/8lZbCEPmtik.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking is looking for an Education Programs Manager
$55,00040 hours FTEApplications due: May 8, 2024
Reports to Executive Director; supervises 1 part-time staff. Works collaboratively with the Director of Artist Programs, Development and Communications Manager, and Administrative Coordinator.
Work is performed on-site Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm in Minneapolis, with occasional evening and weekend events and off-site workshops.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking (HP) is dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. They create pathways for artists, learners, and the public to increase their understanding and appreciation of printmaking through artistic and educational programs, a cooperative studio, a public gallery, and collaborative publishing opportunities.
They are seeking an Education Programs Manager to develop and manage all aspects of Highpoint’s education programs in alignment with their strategic plan and organizational values.
SUMMARY
The vision for Highpoint’s Education division is to remain integral to their neighborhood, city, and Midwest by leading accessible printmaking education that is responsive to the needs of learners and the broader arts-educational landscape.
Ideal Candidate: The Education Programs Manager is an experienced and ambitious arts educator with a clear vision for designing innovative programs and curricula. They have a learning and teaching philosophy that guides their work and an understanding of learning pathways for a wide range of participants. They will define a pedagogical approach for Highpoint and work collaboratively with all team members to integrate and connect this approach across program areas. They foster a culture of welcome, embrace an expansive definition of printmaking, and believe in human-centered learning.
The Education Programs Manager will collaborate with the Executive Director to set the pedagogical direction for the organization. They will support a growing roster of contracted teaching artists by cultivating relationships, designing annual instructor training, and developing resources. They will nurture relationships with artists, K-12 educators and administrators, and community partners. They are an active community member and understand the Twin Cities arts ecosystem and contemporary art. They are a facilitator, a connector, and supporter who are always finding ways to bring others into the fold. Understanding program outcomes and evaluation methods is key for this role.
TO APPLY
Please email jobs@highpointprintmaking.org with the following:
A cover letter describing your related experience, education philosophy, familiarity with and interest in Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Your resume of professional and lived experiences.
The following will be requested from position finalists:
Two professional references upon notification of the interview
As a part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a presentation on your previous educational program experience.
All finalists will receive a background check
TIMELINE FOR APPLICANTS
Applications due May 8, 2024
June 3, 2024 Finalists Notified (references requested)
June 10 – 11, 2024 Interviews
Early to mid-July 2024 start date
For more information, visit https://www.highpointprintmaking.org/employment2024
Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil on March 28
Watch our Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil here. This was live on Thursday, March 28 at 10:30 AM on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
NWMAC Staff Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling spoke with Artists Jeanne O'Neil and Erin O'Neil. They talked about their music and the current exhibit Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024. They even played some tunes for the broadcast. Again, watch the recording here.
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 created the Twenty of Plenty tune book. This was an effort with a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians. 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. 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.
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. The O'Neil Family Band will be performing and refreshments will be served. Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick up when the exhibit ends.Please join us for the conversation! Let us know if you have questions!
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.
McKnight Printing Fellowship at Highpoint Deadline is Nov 26
McKnight Printmaking Fellowship at Highpoint
The specific intent of the McKnight Printmaking Fellowship is to recognize and support mid-career artists living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence in the field of printmaking.
Two selected artists will receive:
An unrestricted $25,000 award
One year access to Highpoint’s state-of-the-art print shop
Technical support from the fellowship coordinator
Professional development opportunities
Storage space for materials, use of inks, and standard shop supplies
Provided access to Highpoint classes
Group discussions and critiques with local and national experts in the field
McKnight Printmakers' exhibition, public talk, and reception at Highpoint
Professional digital documentation of exhibited artwork
Opportunity to participate in a fully-funded artist residency through a partnership with the Artist Communities Alliance following the fellowship year
Highpoint supporting membership
Fellowship Timeline:
Wednesday, November 1 @ 7 pm — info session (join at Highpoint or via Zoom)
A recording of the session will be made available on our website at a later date
Sunday, November 26 @ 11:59 pm — applications due
Thursday, January 18 — applicants notified
Thursday, February 1 — Fellowship begins
Friday, January 31, 2025 — Fellowship ends
Eligibility Requirements
This program is open to Minnesota-based printmakers, including artists living outside the metro area.
Have or maintain MN residency for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship.
Are beyond emerging with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and excellence in the field of printmaking.
Have not been awarded a McKnight Artist Fellowship in any artistic discipline in the last five years.
Demonstrate growth and ongoing artistry since their most recent McKnight Artist Fellowship (if applicable).
Are not staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or fellowship administrative partners.
Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program.
Artists must demonstrate excellence in at least one traditional printmaking technique (intaglio, lithography, screenprinting, mono printing, or relief).
Applicant may only apply to one McKnight Artist Fellowship per year (in any/all artistic disciplines).
Questions about eligibility or anything else? Contact josh@highpointprintmaking.org
or visit: https://www.highpointprintmaking.org/mcknight/ for FELLOWSHIP/APPLICATION FAQ