Arts News
Artist Spotlight with Cindy Kolling and Gail Ose July 24 at 1 PM — Please note rescheduled time.
NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with regional artists Cindy Kolling and Gail Ose on Wednesday, July 24 at 1 PM. PLEASE NOTE THE change in DAY and TIME. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. The recording of the conversation is available here.
Kolling and Ose are featured in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — Awareness: within and without. The conversation will be about the exhibit, the inspiration of the artists, their body of work, and much more!
The exhibit Awareness: within and without is open until July 30 at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This exhibit features 54 pieces of artwork by Gully Visual Artist Cindy Kolling and Thief River Falls Visual Artist Gail Ose and is open through July at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Showcase Specialist Trey Everett shared, “Cindy Kolling is a master at capturing the life cycle of plants through her pen and ink and silkscreen artistry. Gail Ose's visionary and highly symbolic work is a fascinating process as well as mesmerizing to gaze into. This exhibit is a complementary combination of two distinct styles which give careful attention to the form and the formless, what is without and what is within."
Cindy Kolling’s work includes two sets of 12 silkscreen prints of the life cycle of native plants white sage and blazing star plus other work. These are different handprints of one plant in a continuing series originating from pen & ink drawings of Cindy’s that reference her field sketches, artist’s photos, and observation experiences.
No two handprints are alike and there are no more. These original prints may be released as high quality digital reproductions later, as determined by the artist ,but the original handprint is unique and unable to be done the same again.
Gail Ose is a visionary artist and founder of Serendipity Art Hub based in Thief River Falls, where she lives on a farm. In her studio classroom and workshops, Gail offers painting classes taught from the perspective of Heart, Soul, and Spirit while nurturing authentic, creative expressions regardless of talent or experience. Gail weaves her passion for creativity and spiritual connection into her painting practice and throughout her life and leads others into uncharted areas of their creativity, both inward and outward, to live and create more authentically.
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at youtu.be/Rcys2dLpwlg
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Summer hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.
Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.
Call for Art on theme of Water for Minnesota Zoo Hanifl Nature Center Exhibit
Minnesota Zoo Hanifl Nature Center Exhibit Call for Art: Water
Deadline is July 31
In July 2023 the Hanifl Nature Center opened along with the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo. An art exhibit is featured in the Nature Center, rotating approximately every six months. The theme for the next exhibit is water and the exhibit will be run September 20, 2024 – March 2, 2025.
The call is for residents of Minnesota and the goal is to represent the breadth of high-quality artistic talent across the state.
Review this context for the exhibit:
Unifying message: Inspiration comes from water in nature in all its forms, including rain, fog, ice, and snow. Highlight artistic appreciation for aquatic ecosystems, their living and nonliving components, and the complexities of aquatic ecological systems and interactions. Showcase some of the many ways artists can utilize water and be inspired by water and/or the animals and plants that live in, near, and/or depend on water.
Aesthetic: Art that depicts or is inspired by water. Feature a diversity of styles and media. Art that explores water as media and method. The space is suited best for two dimensional pieces but there are also opportunities for sculptural work.
Subthemes:
1. Land of 10,000 Lakes: Aquatic landforms and ecosystems throughout the seasons (lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, ponds, creeks, etc.) in Minnesota
o Message: Minnesota’s rich natural beauty offers abundant inspiration in serene lakes, vibrant aquatic wildlife, dynamic rivers, and interesting ecosystems. Whether in an urban or rural setting, one is never far from water in Minnesota.
o Examples:
§ A side-by-side depiction of a water landscape in each season
§ Rainy, foggy, or frozen Minnesota scenes
§ Water in urban, suburban, and rural settings in Minnesota
§ Iconic Minnesota water-based landmarks such as Minnehaha Creek/Falls, Mississippi River, Lake Superior, Bde Mka Ska, or any of our 10,000 lakes
§ Art depicting Minnesota animals—insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, mussels, amphibians—swimming in, bathing, hunting among, or drinking from water features
§ Storm clouds rising above a Minnesota wetland, the Northern lights reflected in a lake, etc.
2. People and Water: People interacting with water and/or enjoying water-based outdoor recreation throughout the seasons (including ice and snow) / Human-altered conservation connections such as rain gardens / Significance of water in celebrations, cultures, and arts
o Message: Water, with its fluidity and ever-changing forms, inspires people through its calming presence, vital life-giving properties, immense power, and ample recreation opportunities. Human dependence on water promotes environmental stewardship.
o Examples:
§ People boating, fishing, or water recreating in remote and urban settings
§ Water in every day life – puddles, water fountains, storm drains, dew drops in a garden, people using water for transportation, etc.
§ Depictions or visual representations of water conservation
§ Cultural connections to water such as harvesting wild rice, lantern floating festivals, dragon boat races, and other water festivals or celebrations
§ Artistic representations of water symbols – traditional, historical, or modern
§ Art that incorporates human-tended water features such as water gardens, aquaducts, irrigation ditches, aquaculture
3. Underwater Worlds: Water forms in detail or closeup such as rain/raindrops, snow/snowflakes, fog, ice, waves, whirlpools, ripples, clouds, etc. Plants and animals living in freshwater or marine environments.
o Message: A single snowflake is as unique as a fingerprint. A single drop of water can reveal a hidden world, imagine what could be revealed under the surface of an entire lake, river, or ocean.
o Examples:
§ Art depicting life underwater in a lake, stream, or marine environment
§ Close up studies of water droplets, puddles, snowflakes, frost, foamy waves, bubbles, etc.
§ Art depicting microscopic or macroscopic life in water
§ Art depicting unique water habitats such as bogs, prairie potholes, springs, ephemeral pools, a stream riffle, tide pools, coral reefs – featuring their resident flora and fauna
4. Water Around the World:
o Message: The dam-building behavior of a beaver, the waterproof feathers of a penguin, and the blue-green algae growing on a fur of a rainforest sloth are all influenced by water. From dry deserts to savannahs in the rainy season, animals have amazing adaptations to the water (or lack thereof) in their environments.
o Examples:
§ Art depicting zoo animals interacting with water
§ Art depicting rare, unique, or endangered aquatic animals or those with a conservation story, especially a conservation story related to water
§ Art depicting non-Minnesota water features such as glaciers, oceans, alpine lakes, mangroves, coral reefs, etc.
§ Imagery of colors, movement, light, or patterns in water, steam, fog, ice, clouds, and snow from around the world
Artwork size may range from 8” x 10” to 24” x 36” and should not be deeper than 12”.
NOTE: A second opportunity is a large wall installation with specifics described at the end of the call.
Each artist may submit up to five pieces.
Please include a jpg. image of the piece identified with:
· Artist’s name, Title, Medium, and Size
Also include artist address and contact information.
Please indicate which of the four subthemes resonates best with each piece. Pieces may fit into more than one subtheme.
Artists are encouraged to include an artist’s statement, especially one that addresses how these pieces fit into the Unifying Message & Aesthetics for this exhibition. By submitting the statement, you are allowing anything in the statement to be used in zoo interpretive or promotional materials in the exhibit should your work be chosen.
Art may be for sale through Art Angels. There will be a QR code in the exhibit that allows for the receipt of information about purchasing.
The deadline for submission is Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 5 PM central time. Artists will be notified of accepted work no later than August 23, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: Artists whose work is chosen are responsible for transporting artwork to Art Angels in late August or early September and for picking it up after the completion of the exhibit at Art Angels. Art Angels is in New Brighton.
Installation is planned for the third week of September 2024. Artwork must be installation-ready with quality materials and in excellent condition.
Each selected artist will be provided five Minnesota Zoo admission tickets.
Questions and submissions should be sent to Leslie Palmer-Ross via email at Lpr@artangels.org. For large files, please use www.wetransfer.com. It is free.
Wall Installation Opportunity:
The concept may be one large piece, or several smaller pieces designed to work together to fill the space.
Please be aware that pieces in this area only are not behind glass. The installation should be designed with materials that potentially will be touched and/or at a height where they cannot be accessed. For flat artwork, the artist may be asked to submit high resolution digital files for the Zoo to enlarge and print on a durable substrate.
Arts Midwest Culture Bearers Award - Apply Now
Arts Midwest Culture Bearers Award — Apply Now
Now Open: Midwest Culture Bearers Award
Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the Midwest Culture Bearers Award, a $5,000 award that celebrates and supports the work of Midwest culture bearers and folk arts practitioners.
Culture bearers keep their cultural traditions alive through craft, storytelling, dance, performance, visual arts, foodways, language preservation, and more. They are deeply connected to their communities and share their knowledge with new generations.
About the Midwest Culture Bearers Award
What is it? The Midwest Culture Bearers Award is a $5,000 award. It honors and amplifies the work of nine Midwestern culture bearers each year.
Who can apply? If you have been practicing arts and culture rooted in your heritage and ancestry for over 10 years and share your practice with your community, you can apply.
Where? You must live in the Arts Midwest region. This includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
When to apply? Applications close at 11:59 pm CST on July 29, 2024. The first awards will be made in September 2024.
You can get help from someone else to complete your application. Or, you can nominate someone with their permission.
Learn more about the Midwest Culture Bearers Award, review eligibility requirements, and read the guidelines on their website here.
Call for Art for Around the Farm Art Exhibit
Call for Art for
Around the Farm Art Exhibit January/February 2025
Mediums include collage, pen and ink, photography, mosaic, fiber arts, oil, acrylic, sculpture, creative writing, printmaking, and more
Submission Deadline is December 2
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is announcing a Call for Art on the theme “Around the Farm.”
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 will celebrate farm life and farming and will highlight the importance of agriculture in the lives of residents of our northwest Minnesota region through art.
The exhibit will be held in January and February of 2025 at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The featured artist is Beau Bakken of Hallock.
Art will be around the theme of farms, farming, farm machinery, harvest, farmland, agricultural heritage, farm animals, and farm life. Artwork must be original from any art medium including painting, mixed medium, drawing, mosaic, fiber arts, writing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and more.
Submission deadline is December 2, 2024 and limited to two submissions. Send dimensions, medium, title, sale price, and where you are from, along with a photo of the artwork to treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. We welcome submissions from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties. Physical artwork will be dropped off at the gallery in Thief River Falls in mid-December. Date to be determined.
For more information, contact Trey at treyeverettecreates@gmail.com or 218-280-4917.
Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program
Read about this Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program and consider applying!
Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program
Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks
Artist-in-Residence position
Timeline: 12 months (August 2024 to August 2025)
Time commitment: average 20 hours/week (part-time)
Stipend: $40,000 Materials budget: $14,000
Location: A Minnesota park or a park system (full list of host sites is located at the application link in Submittable)
Deadline to apply: July 21, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Information session: Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1iuDcuH9QDqJJGlIke8tDQ
This information session will be recorded and posted on the Submittable application page for those not able to attend.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division, the Metropolitan Council Metropolitan Regional Parks, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission are partnering with Forecast Public Art to launch Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks -- Artist Residency in the Parks Pilot Program in parks across Minnesota exploring community and belonging. The selected Minnesota-based artists-in-residence will research and engage with a park, trail or park system and its communities and then use that research to develop new work(s). Unlike traditional residency opportunities, this program focuses on how artists can serve as partners to and ambassadors for the parks and contribute not just art, but ideas.
The goal of the Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program is to enhance a sense of welcoming and belonging to park users. This is a paid opportunity for artists that aims to address unique opportunities and challenges around creating belonging in our public parks. We hope that this pilot helps foster deeper community engagement and relationship-building in state and regional parks, improves access to Minnesota parks and trails, and increases collective appreciation for park uses, outdoor recreation, and natural resources, especially in underserved communities. Embedding an artist in a park or a park system will allow the selected artists to apply their own creative perspectives and skills to foster a greater sense of belonging. All selected artists will be a part of a cohort of 9, and will meet with other artists regularly to foster a sense of community and to share ideas.
Curiosity, Belonging, & Discovery - These are the values that guide the activities of the Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks program. Participants in the program will be asked to commit to these values.
For more information and the application, visit forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit/298545/minnesota-parks-artist-in-residence-application
Traveling Art Exhibit Stops in Warroad
Traveling Art Exhibit Stops in Warroad
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 Warroad Public Library until August 6. 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.
Popcorn Players offers summer theater opportunity in Warroad
Do you have a child interested in acting? Join Warroad Summer Theatre this summer for Popcorn Players. 🥳🍿 The first day of practice is June 17. Children will audition during practice (everyone gets a role!) and will need to be in attendance the whole time. Pack a snack and a water bottle and get ready for a great time.
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants
Applications Open July 1 with a July 31 Deadline for
Gov't Orgs and Non-Profits
Grant Writing Session is July 17 at 11 AM
It is time to start planning for your fall and winter community arts activities. When the application is available on July 1st your organization will be ready to start applying to meet our July 31 deadline date.
Applications open on July 1 for arts grants 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.
Nonprofit arts organizations can apply for general operating funds. The eligible grant amount is based on total expenses within the previous two completed years and the organization's history of arts programming. These organizations will be able to add to this grant, as the year progresses, if they need additional funding. Funding sources for these grants come from Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 will be available on an ongoing deadline starting in July. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
All other nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Organizational arts activities 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 session July 17 at 11 AM
There will be a grant writing session on July 17 at 11 AM to help you write your grant or answer any questions. You can attend via Zoom or at our office in Warren.
The deadline to apply for a project grant for governments and non-profits is July 31.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.
Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.
In addition, there is Arts Equipment funding for school districts available up to $3,000 with 25% cash match required
Our grant training workshops are held via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren. You must RSVP to attend. Email director@nwartscouncil.org to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! We are here to help.
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.
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.
Student Artwork is hanging in State Senator Mark Johnson’s St. Paul office
Five exhibit pieces of student art were chosen to be hung in the hallway of Senator Mark Johnson’s office in St. Paul. These works of art were entered into the annual NW Art Exhibit that took place in Lake Bronson earlier this spring.
The students and their work include: Lydia Christianson of Fertile “Omaha Jellyfish,” Kyleigh Halvorson of Fosston “Iris” (Merit Award), Carter Lee Johnsrud of Goodridge “A Broken Heart,” Dana Brown of Lancaster, (Kittson Central School) “Jesse and Walt” (People’s Choice in student category), and Melody Voeltz, of Lancaster “Barred Owl.”
Traveling Art Exhibit Begins Regional Tour in Crookston
Traveling Art Exhibit Begins Regional Tour in Crookston Schedule Announced
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 Crookston Public Library until June 11. Please stop by to see these works of art as the tour begins. 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.
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.
Call for Art for Community Art Exhibit in East Grand Forks
The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their annual Community Art Exhibit. Send your name, your phone number, and information about the artwork you would like to exhibit to Andrea at alorenz@egflibrary.org or call the library at (218) 773-9121 for more information. Submissions will be accepted until June 7th.
Springboard’s Rural Regenerator Fellowship Application is Open
Announcing the 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship
Calling rural artists in the Upper Midwest: Applications are now open for Springboard's 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship!
We are excited to announce that this year’s Fellowship will focus on supporting artists whose work is connected to land, environment, and/or food systems. Rural artists who are using their creative practice to explore environmental justice, land and food sovereignty, agriculture, foodways, climate solutions, and/or sustainability are welcome to apply. They will select 12 fellows total.
What the two-year Fellowship offers:
Unrestricted $10,000 stipend to continue or expand rural artist's existing work.
Opportunities for exchange and learning with other Rural Regenerator Fellows across the Upper Midwest.
A supportive platform to build solidarity across rural geographies.
This year’s new effort to amplify and support the urgent work of environmental stewardship aims to bring a new level of focus to the Fellowship in order to collectively contribute to long term change and support existing movements.
Applications are open now through June 24, 2024. Interested in applying? Join the virtual info session on Friday, May 31 to learn more about the application and the fellowship.
Learn more and apply here or https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity Cultural Expression
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity
FY 2025 Cultural Expression
Application materials are now available for the Cultural Expression grant program. This program is open to individuals and organizations.
Cultural Expression grants support activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations; or passing on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation.
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000.
Applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The Arts Board will host a virtual information session on June 5 for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Arts Experiences program web page.
Cultural Expression Program Page
Important Dates:
June 5, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will also be recorded and available for later viewing.
July 12, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
January 2025: Arts Board approves grant awards.
March 2025 - February 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
Questions? Visit this page arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm
NW Art Exhibit Winners Announced and Presented
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 the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit and competed for $2,300 in cash awards. The winners were recognized at the Northwest Minnesota Artist Reception in Lake Bronson on April 21.
Exhibit cash award winners were chosen while the exhibit was on display at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson by qualified juror and Grand Forks Artist Pat Danielson.
Danielson has been an active, well known visual artist for decades and is a member of the River Forks Watercolor Society and of Arts for Vets. She has a B.S. in Education from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Of the exhibit, she said, “What a pleasure it was to see the rich display of art at NWMAC’s show at Lake Bronson! As this year’s juror, I viewed each piece several times. While technique is important, I looked for art that surprised with its original idea, showed clear intention, was well executed and presented, and especially that drew me back to learn more about it.
This exhibit showed a wide variety of media — paintings, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpture, photography, fused glass, mosaic, assemblages, digital art — in many sizes and many shapes! Some of the treasures offered were small works and made no less impact than large ones. Congratulations to all the artists who entered this exhibit. Art is a community where everyone can participate. I hope you will continue to show your work, learn from one another, and support each other. You all win — with or without prizes awarded.”
Walk through the exhibit at https://youtu.be/EeSvf3_tVVg.
Exhibit Awards include:
Adults:
1st $500 Andy Hall of Climax for photography “Backlit Milkweed”
2nd $300 Irene Bertils of Crookston for watercolor painting “Warm Summer Evening “
3rd $200 Aliza Novacek-Olson of Roseau for folk/traditional wool “Solitary Qoshmas”
Merit $100 Michael McColl of Lengby in drawing “You're Getting Very Sleepy”
Merit $100 Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla for folk/ traditional porcelain “Pitcher”
Merit $100 Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad of Ada in mixed media “No Constraints”
Merit $100 Sara Jo Trangsrud of Thief River Falls in sculpture “Bursting Out”
Merit $100 Gail Ose of Thief River Falls for fused glass “The Dreams We Hold Sacred”
People’s Choice $100 Debbie Aune of Gatzke
Students:
1st $300 Brigitta Novacek of Roseau in acrylic painting “Valorous”
2nd $150 Anita Foster of Thief River Falls for mixed media “Ruth”
3rd $100 Mary Jane Crane of Red Lake Falls for drawing “Beauty in Self-Image”
Merit $50 Kyleigh Halvorson of Fosston for drawing “Iris”
Merit $50 Kaytlyn Knutson of Red Lake Falls for digital art “Orion”
Merit $50 Mason Grivno of Felton for sculpture “German Wirehaired Pointer”
Merit $50 Mahli Holter of Red Lake Falls for mixed media “Almagations”
Merit $50 Izzy Swenson of Lancaster for painting “Purple Iris”
People’s Choice $50 Dana Brown of Lancaster
Fourteen 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. Five exhibit pieces of student art were also chosen to be hung in the hallway of Senator Mark Johnson’s office in St. Paul. These students and their work include Lydia Christianson of Fertile “Omaha Jellyfish,” Kyleigh Halvorson of Fosston “Iris,” Carter Lee Johnsrud of Goodridge “A Broken Heart,” Dana Brown of Lancaster, (Kittson Central) “Jesse and Walt,” and Melody Voeltz, of Lancaster “Barred Owl.”
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!
NW Star Award is Given to Betsy Saurdiff
The NW Star Award is Given to Betsy Saurdiff
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla received the Northwest Star Award. The award was presented to Saurdiff on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum during the NW Art Exhibit Awards Reception and Program.
Saurdiff is a well-known and accomplished potter in the area. She is a retired visual arts and German instructor in the Grygla and Goodridge School districts. Currently, she substitute teaches, works part-time at the Grygla Library, and teaches art classes in her community.
In 2023, three pieces of Betsy’s pottery were selected for the “It’s Only Clay National Competition and Exhibition” at the Watermark Center in Bemidji. One of the pieces "Brown Antler Bowl" won the Harlow Purchase Award. She has been named Teacher of the Year three times and has been awarded numerous grants for her art and equipment.
Former student and current art teacher Tausha Sieverts shared, “Mrs. Saurdiff is not just a great artist, she is an amazing person all around. She cares deeply about her family and community. Mrs. Saurdiff is willing to go above and beyond to help whoever and wherever needed. She stays involved in our school and community by holding community education classes, attending school events, subbing at our area schools, and even mentors [me] with ceramics.”
The well-known quote by Pablo Picasso – “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” resonates with Betsy. She reflected about the impact of the arts on society. “Without art we could live, but it wouldn’t be quite so precious.”
Goodridge Superintendent Tom Loberg explained that Betsy’s “unending passion of teaching art to others, mentoring area artists and art teachers, and her continuing pursuits to create art that serves as the inspiration to others has had a profound impact on our students, schools, communities, and the arts community in our region.” He went on, “In my opinion, Mrs. Saurdiff’s contributions to the area arts community are the definition of a lifetime achievement in art. Despite her retirement as art teacher, nothing has changed. She continues to educate, mentor, create, and inspire.”
Betsy has advice for aspiring artists. “Make use of the arts council. There is money available for you and people who can help you write your grants if needed.” She also said, “Work really, really hard. Don’t just dream about it. Every day do something. There’s no substitute for hard work.”
According to former student (and current art teacher) Andrea Halvorson, “Betsy is an exceptional artist both personally and professionally. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Betsy since I was middle school age. She has had a profound impact on me. Having her as an art teacher helped mold me into the artist I am today. As a teacher, Betsy always saw potential in all her students, even if they didn’t think they had talent. She did this by showing patience, providing guidance, as well as challenging students to keep reaching to their highest potential.”
She went on, “Betsy gives back to the community by teaching others. She holds community education pottery classes for people of all ages and levels. Betsy has taught me so much about art, even learning about the other artists in the area, as well as resources and people. She does this to educate others and knowing there is more out there for artists. This is huge when living in a small rural community where resources in the arts are so limited. She is always encouraging and teaching people about what is out there offered to them.”
Betsy wanted to say thank you to the arts council for all the support over the many years. “I wouldn’t be the potter I am without them.”
The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive it once as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star 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, Betsy!
Rom Ogaard is Arts Advocate of the Year
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Rom Ogaard of Crookston was awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award.
Ogaard has been a radio host at KSRQ 90.1 radio at Northland Community and Technical College and is retiring at the end of the month. As Ron West, he has partnered with the NWMAC to offer a weekly radio segment that promotes artists, the arts, and arts organizations. He has also produced weekly 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 and highlighted our regional artists.
Ogaard has 43 years of broadcasting and management experience that includes 10 years at KROX in Crookston, 10 years at KNOX-AM Grand Forks, 5 years at WDAY-AM Fargo, a variety of other local radio stations, and 14 years at Northland Community and Technical College as Radio-Television Program Coordinator. He received a broadcast diploma from the nation’s broadcasting school Brown College in Minneapolis and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston. Ogaard serves as the caretaker of Bethel Cemetery, northeast of Beltrami.
According to Pioneer 90.1 station manager Mark Johnson, “Rom brings his warm, friendly personality to everything he does for Pioneer 90.1. Over the past 14 years, he has interviewed hundreds of area artists. Because of his natural conversational talents, these segments are less like formal interviews and more like neighborly visits. Rom’s easygoing style puts his guests at ease and brings out the best in each of them. When compiling our legislative report each year, I am always amazed and proud of the array of photographers, painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, vocalists, musicians, actors, directors, arts advocates, educators, and festival and county fair organizers that have been part of the program. Having all these voices on the air has been integral to making Pioneer 90.1 a successful community radio station. I congratulate Rom on this well-deserved recognition from the Arts Council and wish him the very best in retirement!”
NWMAC Board Member Therese Masters Jacobson served as the NWMAC’s Exhibit Specialist from 2012 to 2016. She said, “Rom has made time throughout the past 20 or so years to advocate for the arts to his wide audience, reaching thousands daily, who, like me, feel he is a friend. He is humorous, light-hearted (though deep-voiced), and invested in the northwestern Minnesota community.”
When asked about what he has learned about the arts over the past 14 years since this radio segment began, Rom spoke about the diversity and amazing variety of art and talent in the region. “We live in a rich area of art and culture. When I started I thought of art as painting.” Rom came to learn about all the art forms, including the arts on stage, theater, and music. He spoke about how artists “use art as a way of expressing themselves.” Rom explained that the purpose of the radio segment has been “to highlight art and to bring a platform to a larger audience and to add more flavor on air. The mission has been to promote the arts and culture through the Legacy Amendment.”
NWMAC Promotions Specialist Kristin Eggerling talked about working with Rom and the partnership with the radio station. “Rom has a reassuring and comfortable style that draws in interviewees and the listening audience. In 2018 and 2019, I presented workshops at arts conferences about our radio interviews and podcast program. Rom worked with me beforehand to record segments about the podcasts that I could use in the presentations. Because of these workshops, we were able to share a unique marketing tool that arts organizations throughout the country could duplicate.”
North Dakota Museum of Art Director Matthew Wallace explained, “Rom Ogaard has been one of the most vocal art supporters in the region that I know of. For over 14 years Rom has been with Pioneer 90.1 and has consistently supported artists, art events, and art organizations in both NW Minnesota, and NE North Dakota. For much of the 14 years he has been on Pioneer 90.1, Rom has devoted time each week for the North Dakota Museum of Art to talk about programming, exhibitions, events, memberships, and how the Museum can play a role for those living just across the river in Minnesota. Not only has Rom spent years promoting the North Dakota Museum of Art, but he has worked with the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council and the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks to help get the word out on the arts and culture available in the region, and without a charge to these organizations. This is something that most not-for-profits struggle with daily. As the cost of advertising increases, not-for-profits struggle to get the word out. Having Rom dedicating time each week to these organization is a lifeline.”
This award was presented on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum. 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. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Funding for this award comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.
Congratulations, Rom!
The American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for fellowship grants
American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for Fellowship Grants
The American-Scandinavian Foundation annual competition for Scandinavian Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest is now accepting applications.
Deadline: September 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT
amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
For further information and to begin an online application visit amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
Two kinds of awards are available: fellowships for artists and grants for organizations to present public programs and community projects. All grant applications should be for projects that encourage the practice of folk arts and cultures and the presentation of these arts to public audiences.
FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS
Fellowships for artists deepen the skills of master artists; foster relationships among masters of artistic and technical skills and their apprentices, and encourage the development of traditional skills and the perpetuation of skills from generation to generation; and encourage the awareness of folk traditions by creating innovative projects with wide visibility and public appeal.
GRANTS FOR
PUBLIC PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Grants for public programs and community projects encourage the preservation of Scandinavian cultural traditions through the support of community festivals, celebrations, and heritage events as well as workshops, performances, classes, and demonstrations. Applicants for public programs grants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
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