Arts News
April Newsletter
Read about what’s happening in NW Minnesota Arts — Events, Exhibits, Grants, Calls for Art, Opportunities, and More! View the newsletter or download a copy.
LaVonne Forsberg NW Star Artist of the Year
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that LaVonne Forsberg of Thief River Falls has been selected as the 2022 Northwest Minnesota Star Artist of the Year for her lifetime achievement in art. Forsberg received her award at a program in Thief River Falls on April 27.
Originally from Goodridge, Forsberg, a visual artist, is known for her watercolors and stained glass. Forsberg began her painting career when she took a Rosemaling course through her homemaker’s club. She then branched into acrylics, watercolor, and stained glass and made art her life’s work. For many years, she owned Country Class Arts downtown Thief River Falls, which offered framing services, classes, and arts supplies.
Forsberg has received awards in past NWMAC art exhibits and other statewide exhibits for her art. You can find her stained-glass at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls (chandeliers), 13 area churches, the local hospital, and her paintings in the Kiehle Building on the campus at the University of Minnesota Crookston. She was commissioned by the state of Minnesota to design and paint the Old Mill State Park entrance permit and collector's mug in 200l.
Thief River Falls resident Faye Auchenpaugh said, “Imagine Faith Lutheran in Goodridge or Redeemer Lutheran in Thief River Falls without their phenomenal stained-glass windows that LaVonne created. Or the stained-glass chandeliers at the Carnegie in Thief River Falls. We are so fortunate to have an artist of LaVonne’s caliber in our community.”
According to Fellow Artist and NWMAC Board Member Therese Masters Jacobson, “LaVonne Forsberg is a superb candidate for this lifetime achievement award. She has participated in NWMAC exhibits frequently, often being selected for the highest awards. Her paintings and stained-glass pieces demonstrate the highest excellence and mastery. LaVonne has been the featured artist in the NWMAC Gallery, and her name is well known throughout northwest Minnesota for her fine artwork, and charisma.”
Asked about the impact of art, Forsberg said, “The arts help people learn in different ways.” She went on to explain that as someone who is dyslexic, she found reading challenging. Sewing, painting, and creating stained-glass allows her to visualize things and imagine how things are put together.
As for advice for aspiring artists, she shared, “Determination and pay attention to details. Always be looking at things: Shape (how was it made?), unique (how is it different?), and color (how do the colors come together or contrast?).”
The Northwest Star Artist Award is given each year to recognize artists within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry. Of the Year Award winners are nominated by area residents. This award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star comes from the McKnight Foundation.
Congratulations LaVonne Forsberg on winning the Northwest Star Award!
Northwest Artist of the Year Award Given to Ross Hier
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that Ross Hier of Crookston has been awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award. Hier is a talented visual artist from Crookston.
Originally from Jackson, Minnesota, Hier’s love of nature from a very early age led him to a career as a wildlife biologist. A self-taught artist, he thoroughly enjoys the versatility of transparent watercolors as they allow him to work in loose “washes” or fine detail. Hier also draws in pen and ink. Hier described his training as “from the School of Hard Knocks,” and stated that “every painting is a learning experience.” Nature provides Ross with unlimited subject matter and his painted subjects are wide-ranging. Although birds amaze him most of all, he also enjoys painting landscapes, prairie plants, fish, reptiles and hunting and fishing scenes. His watercolors have been exhibited at numerous venues in both the Dakotas and Minnesota, including many NWMAC exhibits. He also makes wooden, working duck decoys and many other creations.
According to Wayne Goeken of Erksine, “I have always been impressed with Ross’s ability to capture the essence and beauty of the natural world which he knows so well and how he brings images to canvas or paper in such detail and clarity that honors the subject matter at hand. In addition, Ross has generously shared his artistic skills via pen and ink drawings for nonprofit causes that I’ve been involved with over the years, including the Friends of the Rydell Refuge Association and the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center. His detailed images of prairie landscapes, flora, and fauna of the Fertile Sand Hills for an interpretive trail guide still stands today as a highlight to share with others the beauty of this special natural area which he captured so well.”
Fertile resident Matthew Forgit, OD explained, “Ross Hier's lifetime of artwork celebrating the biodiversity of our region is an absolute treasure. His works amazingly cover the entire spectrum of large landscapes down to absolute minutiae of individual small native prairie plants or insects, and everything in between. His larger landscapes always capture the colors of our region, especially through the eyes of an artist. After you've looked at some of his pieces and then pay attention to the next prairie sunset you see, you realize all the colors that you had been missing before.”
In 2020, Hier was awarded a national award – the Ding Darling Memorial Award from The National Wildlife Society for Wildlife Stewardship Through Art. Hier is on the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society Board and serves as their Vice President, Secretary, Society Archivist, and Newsletter Editor. Annually, he donates original art to Minnesota and North Dakota chapters of The Wildlife Society to help them raise funds. He volunteered his time and talent to help paint a mural downtown Crookston last year.
When asked about the impact of the arts on individuals or society, Hier said, “Without the arts there is no society. Art is as close as you can get to some of the wonders of nature. The other things in our lives aren’t enough to sustain us. When you view art there is a spiritual interconnection.” He went on to say, “The arts are finally getting some due. The Legacy Amendment (Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment) has made a huge impact on the arts in Minnesota.”
As for advice for aspiring artists, Hier explained, “Not every painting is a homerun. Maybe it’s 1 out of 5 or 10 when everything comes together. Keep doing what you are doing. Go with what you feel inside your soul. Put it on paper or create it. Find contentment. You don’t have to prove to others.”
The Northwest Artist of the Year Award is given each year to recognize artists within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry. This 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. “Of the Year” Award winners were nominated by area residents and comes with a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from the McKnight Foundation.
Congratulations, Ross Hier on being named the Artist of the Year!
NW Minnesota Art Exhibit Award Winners Announced
Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit Winners Announced
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit Winners. Student and adult artists residing in a seven-county region including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau and Red Lake recently entered into the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit and competed for $2,300.00 in cash awards. The winners were recognized at the Northwest Minnesota Artist Reception in Thief River Falls on April 27.
Exhibit cash award winners were chosen while the exhibit was on display at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls from March 8 to April 27 by qualified juror and North Dakota Museum of Art Education Director Matt Anderson. Anderson is from the rural town of Gackle, ND. He earned his BA from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, and his MFA from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He is currently the Director of Education for the North Dakota Museum of Art. He has exhibited his works nationally and internationally and is a part of public and private collections.
“One of the most rewarding, but also challenging, tasks asked of arts professionals is to jury a show. Within a short time span of a few hours, I’m asked to make many decisions and ultimately conclude, does this work merit an award? There is no rule book, and the process is highly subjective. Another juror would choose differently. I come equipped only with the sum of my artistic knowledge, experience, and my intuition.
There are several elements and factors that I take into consideration. First, I look at craftsmanship, technical skill, presentation, and creativity. Secondly, I consider use of medium, subject matter, and composition. Does it express a mood or message? Does the piece resonate in some way with me? Does it invite me to explore it further? Has the artist created a style that is markedly his or her own? Would I like to see more work by this artist?
I appreciated the artistic conversation between the generations of art makers. Many of the pieces in the student work were highly emotive while the adult work tended to be more contemplative. The visual art conversation in this show also merges into the context of an overall large Conversation of Art that has been happening for hundreds of years. At the end of the day, all of the works are part of that larger dialogue and I hope all the artists continue to invest in their unique creative voice.
The jury process is not an exact science, but it is a time-honored method for artists to receive feedback. Again, I can only encourage artists to continue to submit works to shows such as this one.” Anderson said.
Exhibit Awards include:
Adult Winners
1st Place $500 Beau Bakken of Hallock in acrylic painting “Sunny Day”
2nd Place $300 Bert Foster of Thief River Falls in photography “Gooseberry Cataract”
3rd Place $200 Ross Harper Hier of Crookston in painting “Wood Splitter’s Alarm Clock”
Merit $100 Nick Reitzel of Karlstad in painting “Across the Purple Sky”
Merit $100 Sarah Amaral of Fosston in mixed media/other “Record Cape”
Merit $100 Cindy Kolling of Gully in drawing “Looking Pretty Good”
Merit $100 Paulette Christianson of Badger in drawing “Under the Orange Moon”
Merit $100 Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla in sculpture “Butter Dish”
People’s Choice $100 Christine Foster
Student Winners
1st Place $300 Addison Severts of Grygla in mixed media “Wave of Money”
2nd Place $150 Morgan Chisholm of Ada in sculpture “Teatime in the Spring”
3rd Place $100 Anna Mickolio of Goodridge in drawing “Wilbur”
Merit $50 Kaytlyn Knutson of Red Lake Falls in digital art “A Night on Another Planet”
Merit $50 Valiant Underwood of Ada in painting “Leviathan”
Merit $50 Lakykie Brobst of Grygla in photography “Hayes Lake Skies”
Merit $50 Paige Sturre of Thief River Falls in drawing “Recognizing the Value”
Merit $50 Mason Owens of Euclid in wood sculpture “Peace in the Roughness”
People’s Choice $50 Addison Severts
Fifteen exhibit pieces of student and adult art were chosen to be included in the Traveling Art Exhibit, which will travel this next year to area libraries. Watch for the schedule to be announced and for it to arrive in your community.
Arts Grants May 1 Deadline — Apply Now
Arts Legacy grants of up to $10,000
Due May 1
Grant Information Training Session April 13
An additional deadline has been added for Arts Legacy Grants. Applications are open for Arts Legacy Grants and due May 1. Grants are awarded to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, individuals and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.
Arts Legacy Grants is a main category for funding artistic activity within the seven-county service region. Funding can be used for Arts Projects, Arts Equipment, General Support, Public Art Projects and Arts Events in northwest Minnesota.
Applications funded through this very important grant opportunity include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.
Need assistance? We are offering a grant info training session on Wednesday, April 13 at 11:00 AM. Let us know if you’d like to participate in person or virtually. Or you can set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren to work on your grants in our new setting or virtually. Please email Mara at director@nwartscouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster online is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area. You can find our teaching artist roster on our website. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.
Also available on a first come-first served basis are Quick Turn Around Grants for $500. These grants can be used for missed gigs and income due to the pandemic. Use the Quick Turn Around application in the Individual Artist grants. See our website for more information and to apply!
To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.
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 include:
Ross Hier of Crookston will be awarded the Northwest Artist of the Year Award for Visual Arts. A self-taught artist, he is a watercolor painter and works in pen and ink. Nature provides Hier with unlimited subject matter and his painted subjects are wide-ranging. His watercolors have been exhibited at numerous venues in both the Dakotas and Minnesota, including many NWMAC exhibits. He also makes wooden, working duck decoys and other creations. 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.
Philip McKenzie of Thief River Falls will be awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. McKenzie is a musician and is active in promoting the arts in our region and statewide. He is the Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board, an adjunct oboe faculty at both UND and NDSU, and hosts a weekly radio show – Northern Classics on Pioneer 90.1. He was an executive director of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, has served on the board of Thief River Falls Community Theater, Greater Grand Forks Sympathy, and the Sheridan Chamber Players. He has conducted numerous musicals in Thief River Falls. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines.
LaVonne Forsberg of Thief River Falls will receive the Northwest Star Award. Forsberg is a Visual Artist known for watercolor paintings and stained glass. For many years, she owned Country Class Arts downtown Thief River Falls, which offered framing services, classes, arts supplies. Forsberg has received awards in past NWMAC exhibits and other statewide exhibits for her art. You can find her stained-glass work throughout our region at 13 churches and at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls and her paintings at the University of Minnesota Crookston. She was commissioned by the state of Minnesota to design and paint the Old Mill State Park entrance permit and collector's mug in 200l. This award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award.
These awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 27 in Thief River Falls at Northland Community and Technical College in the cafeteria. Mingling, dessert, and live music begins at 7 pm and the program at 7:30 pm. The event is free of charge and open to everyone. 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.
March Newsletter
Read about what’s happening in NW Minnesota Arts — Events, Exhibits, Grants, Calls for Art, Opportunities, and More! View the newsletter or download a copy.
Call for Art: Nature’s Offerings
Call for Art for Nature’s Offerings Exhibit. A special call to folk artists. Exhibit will be open June and July 2022. Deadline for Submissions is no later than May 13. Nature’s Offerings: Why is it that we feel a sense of healing and rejuvenation when we spend time in nature? Consider creating art from nature for this exhibit! Questions and to submit your art, contact Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com.
Applications Open for Creative Community Leadership Institute Cohort
Applications are now being accepted for this year's Creative Community Leadership Institute (CCLI) Cohort!
See the website: https://www.creativecommunityinstitute.org/
CCLI is an intensive, in-person, cohort-based training program with real-world practice for artists, culture bearers, community organizers, community development practitioners, and other leaders seeking to deepen their impact in creative community building. CCLI is for artists, culture bearers, community organizers, community development practitioners, and other leaders from across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native Nations that share that geography.
Cohorts meet in person three times over six months from spring to fall, with each session in a different location within the state. CCLI has three regionally-based cohorts, with opportunities for collaboration and connection, as well as in-person gatherings:
The East Cohort will be held in Cloquet, MN at the Cloquet Forestry Center
The Central Cohort will be held in Grand Forks, ND at the University of North Dakota, Memorial Union
The West Cohort will be held in Rapid City, SD at Racing Magpie
Priority will be given to applicants who identify as Native and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), disabled, and/or are from rural and smaller-town communities.
Participants will receive modest financial support for the pilot project and to offset costs of travel. New cohorts can expect to gain more knowledge about the role of art and culture in community problem solving, build skills to be able to effectively integrate art and culture into community development, leadership growth, and gain networks of cross-sector peers.
Call for Art: Community Art Exhibit in East Grand Forks
Calling all artists, amateur and professional! The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their annual Community Art Exhibit. If you are interested in submitting, please send an email with your name and phone number to Andrea at alorenz@egflibrary.org.
January Newsletter
Read about the Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities in our January newsletter.
Applications Open for NW MN Annual Art Exhibit — Apply Now
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce our latest “Call for Entries” for the 2022 Annual Art Exhibit.
The deadline to submit your artwork is February 28, 2022!
This year, the annual Art Exhibit will be in Thief River Falls at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College. Artwork will be immediately put up for viewing at our gallery starting March 7 through the end of April.
Artists from our 7 county- service region can enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adult and student artists are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception in Thief River Falls at the end of April.
If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 28, 2022.
Nominations Open for Of the Year Awards
Nominations Open for Of the Year Awards Due February 28
Applications are open for nominations for the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Of the Year Awards. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles.
Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and often goes to a local leader who lives in the area where the artist reception will be held. But anyone is eligible to be nominated. Arts includes all disciplines.
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 to use however they see fit.
Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000.00 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression.
Our deadline for nominations is February 28. Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Persons who believe their nominee would qualify for this award and have questions should contact the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council office at (218) 745-8886 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is on our website.
Deadline March 1 for Arts Grants Applications
Arts Grants Applications have March 1 Deadline -- Apply Now
Arts Legacy grants of up to $10,000 & Arts Project grants of up to $3,000 Due March 1
Grant Writing Workshops February 8 and 16
Applications are open for Arts Project Grants and Arts Legacy Grants. Grants are awarded to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, individuals and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.
Arts Legacy Grants is a main category for funding artistic activity within the seven-county service region. Funding can be used for Arts Projects, Arts Equipment, General Support, Public Art Projects and Arts Events in northwest Minnesota.
Arts Project Grants are used primarily for small budget arts projects and the sponsorship of performances of touring companies and artists. These grants are a maximum of $3,000 with a required cash match.
Applications funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.
Grant Writing Workshops
We are offering two grant writing workshops online or in person to assist you with your application. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren for the workshop or to work on your grants in our new setting. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org. Sessions will be held Tuesday, February 8 at 11:30 am or Wednesday, February 16 at 5pm. You can also set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process.
Minnesota State Arts Board seeking reviewers for American Rescue Plan grant applications
Minnesota State Arts Board seeking reviewers for American Rescue Plan grant applications
The Arts Board needs involvement of Minnesota citizens – like YOU – from a variety of backgrounds to review American Rescue Plan grant applications remotely. These are general operating funds that can be used to help small and midsized Minnesota nonprofit arts organizations and arts affiliates rebuild and reopen as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes.
Reviewers will receive a modest financial stipend for their time providing feedback on applications and helping determine which will be recommended to receive funding. American Rescue Plan Grants will be distributed broadly, to help support the people and places that makeup the critical infrastructure of Minnesota's arts community.
In brief, reviewers can expect to:
Serve a three-week term remotely either February 7 - February 25, 2022, or February 28 – March 18, 2022
Participate in training sessions online
Read, score, and take notes on a set of 30-35 applications at your own pace using WebGrants online (no panel discussion required)
Spend, on average, 25-30 hours total
Receive a financial stipend of $200
To learn more about the opportunity, visit: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/reviewer.htm.
Call for Student Digital Art on the Theme of Celebrations
NW MN Arts Council Student Art Exhibit
NCTC in Thief River Falls
January/February 2022
Medium: Digital Art/Theme: Celebrations
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
Digital Submissions: submit to treyeverettcreates@gmail.com
The pandemic has shown us the importance of celebrating special occasions with family and friends. We may see more value in observing rites of passage such as births, birthday parties, weddings, and even funerals. This digital art exhibit (in conjunction with regional potter Betsy Saurdiff) celebrates the idea that we can once again get together and celebrate!
Student digital art will be around the theme of celebrations, gatherings, and rituals. All work will be original digital artwork that will be submitted to fit an 8.5 x 11 frame. Frames will be provided.
Deadline for Arts Grants Up to $10,000 — Applications Still Accepted
Arts Legacy Grants Up to $10,000
Arts Project Grants Up to $3,000
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that applications are open for Arts Legacy and Arts Project grants. Arts Legacy grants of up to $10,000 and Arts Project grants of up to $3,000 have a November 1 deadline.
UPDATE: The next deadline is March 1, but we have significant grant funds still available, so don’t wait for March to apply. Your applications will be considered soon if you apply now.
Applications funded by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, through these important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.
Grants are awarded to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.
Call for NWMAC Board Members
Support the Arts in Your County and Our Region
Become a Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Board Member
Would you like to be more involved in the arts in northwest Minnesota? Consider becoming an Arts Council Board Member! The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is looking to fill a number of open positions on our board.
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has openings for representatives from these counties — Roseau, Kittson, Pennington, Red Lake and Norman. We are also looking for three at-large members who can be from any of our seven counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau. Board members will serve for a three-year term from this fall until Fall 2024 with the option to add an additional three-year term afterwards.