Arts News
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!
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.
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.
