Arts News
July Newsletter
Read our July 2023 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3QaYSdQ
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Attention Metal Artists! Call for Art for Metal Arts Festival
Attention Metal Artists! Call for Artists!
Metal Arts Festival
People’s Choice Art Competition with Cash Prizes
The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance is looking for artists to compete in their Metal Arts Festival metal art competition. This year they are encouraging all artists to showcase their art at the Competition and Live Auction. All mediums are welcome if there is some metal component to the artwork. They are looking for sculpture, welded artworks, mixed media, jewelry, 3-dimensional art, fiber art, etc. All sizes accepted. Be as creative and inventive as you wish – push the boundaries of metal art!
How to participate in the Metal Arts Festival
Create an artwork to enter into the Metal Arts Contest. All works of art entered in the Metal Arts Contest are eligible for $600 in cash prizes, to be awarded by audience voting on the day of the festival. All works of art in the contest will be considered donations to the PRCA and will be auctioned off in a live auction following the contest. Proceeds will benefit the PRCA. Every artist who donates an artwork to the PRCA Metal Art Contest also gets a FREE vendor space to display and /or sell their artwork.
Donated art may be any size, and may be mixed media, but should include some metal materials. (Used and “found” materials are okay.)
Register your artwork by August 25, by emailing prca@prairierenaissance.org. Please include your name, address, phone number, and the approximate dimensions of your piece or pieces of artwork (to help us plan for display), and the value of your artwork. Attach a photo of your piece to your email.
Deliver your artwork to Eastside Park in Morris, MN on Saturday, Sept. 9 th from 9-11 a.m.
For more information, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262. prairierenaissance.org.
Experience Fiber Art by Aliza Novacek-Olson exhibited outside of NCTC Gallery
Fiber art created by Roseau Artist Aliza Novacek-Olson is displayed in one of the display cases outside of our NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Aliza’s work will be displayed until the end of the year. Novacek-Olson’s work joins Artists Cindy Kolling and Kate Hammer in the display cases at the college.
Traveling Art Exhibit is in Roseau
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Roseau Public Library
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 15 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 Roseau Public Library until August 29. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“ (Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls
July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau
August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock
October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren
November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile
January 16 to February 27, 2024 Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks
February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada
March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls
*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.
Artist Spotlight with Art Teacher Gary Stegman Wednesday, July 5
Watch this online discussion with retired art teacher Gary Stegman here.
On Wednesday, July 5 the NWMAC held an Artist Spotlight with Retired Art Teacher Gary Stegman. You can watch this discussion with NWMAC staff Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling at the link above or on the NWMAC Facebook or YouTube pages. Stegman spoke about students, motivation, the arts, artistic vision, his background, and much more. Some of Stegman’s students have artwork in the current NWMAC exhibit Student Art Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls. The exhibit is open until July 26. Let us know if you have questions.
June Newsletter
Read our June 2023 newsletter to find out about deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3OqaQim. There’s a lot going on!
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Art Grants Deadline July 31
Non-profit Organizations and Governmental Entities
Apply for an Arts Grant
Upcoming Deadline is July 31
Grant Writing Training Session is July 17 at 10 AM
Applications are open for government entities and nonprofit organizations for art grants. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Grants deadlines for these are July 31, October 31, and February 29. 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 this very important grant opportunity includes 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 Training Session is July 17 at 10 AM
We will offer grant writing training sessions on July 17, September 18, October 17, November 1, 2023 and February 16, and April 17, 2024. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend.
To learn more about grant programs and start an application click on the link on the top right of the webpage. 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.
Artist Reception for Student Art Exhibit Tuesday, June 27 6 to 8PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Invites You to the Artist Reception for the
Student Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork from NW Minnesota
Where: Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery, NCTC in Thief River Falls
When: Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 PM
This exhibit features art by area students throughout northwest Minnesota, including the schools of Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kittson Central in Hallock, Ada-Borup West, Fosston, Tri-County in Karlstad, and Roseau.
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/UQX4C4upQqg.
The artist reception at the gallery will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8PM in conjunction with the 101 Dalmatians play at Northland Community and Technical College. Refreshments will be served.
Children’s author Wanda Nelson will be signing and selling her books during the reception.
Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. During the summer, the college may be closed on Friday afternoons. Please check before making a special trip or visit the exhibit at other times. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about our exhibits please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.
Kids Summer Day Camp at the Lengby Schoolhouse
Kids summer day camp at the Lengby Schoolhouse July 10-14. Sign up and register at oldschoolarts.org.
Student Art Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork is Open Through July 31
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces a
Student Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork from NW MN
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through July 31, 2023
Artist Reception Tuesday, June 27 from 6-8PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of a Student Art Exhibit, featuring K-12 Artwork from throughout Northwest Minnesota. This exhibit is open through July 31 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
The exhibit features art by area students throughout northwest Minnesota, including the schools of Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kittson Central in Hallock, Ada-Borup West, Fosston, Tri-County in Karlstad, and Roseau.
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett said, “We have a variety of collections in this gallery from "Art Inspired by Art," to Artist in Residence mask making, to written pieces that have been published, to artwork that was chosen by area art teachers. It is all quite fascinating and inspiring to walk through our gallery and just take in the quality, creativity, and talent packed into this exhibit. I am very proud of our regional students' artwork as well as art teachers, teachers, artists in residence, parents and others who help teach and inspire our students."
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/UQX4C4upQqg.
There are 105 total pieces in the gallery divided up into four sections:
Section 1. Mask Making High School and Fifth Grade, Tri-County Schools, Karlstad / Mask Making Residency with Artist Lisa Arnold, 2023 / Photos of mixed media masks. 23 pieces with 21 students.
Section 2: Write On Roseau Community School District, Roseau / Essays for the Roseau Times-Region Newspaper from Roseau Community School District Students, 2023 / Newspaper essays NFS. There are 17 entries in this section. All were published in the paper between January and May of 2023.
Select students from Roseau Community School wrote essays of 800-1,000 words. The essays were published weekly in the Roseau Times-Region Newspaper. This project has run for four years. English teacher Kelsey Didrickson’s 12th grade college English class has contributed to this project. Artist Julie Elick explained, “This project instills the arts into our community and public life, providing a weekly place for students to enhance their writing talents. Roseau County is growing stronger each year with its encouragement of literacy. “
Section 3: Art Inspired By Art.
3a High School. This section includes artwork that was inspired by famed, as well as obscure art pieces. Students drew inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, MARINA’s song “Are you Satisfied?”, and Michael Angelo’s The Creation of Adam. One student’s work Polybius drew inspiration from an urban legend Polybius and a song by Lemon Demon called Cabinet Man. Art in this section was created by NCTC student Wyatt Bring (cat image), Ada-Borup-West student Carlie Nerhus (ceramic art), and Sacred Heart’s Sophia Modeen (skeleton hands reaching out to each other), Aalliyah Griggs (digital art of purple and pink pieces of paper), Rhilynn Leroux Peters (red/orange swirl sky painting), and Mackenzie Gjerswold (video game painting). Total of 6 pieces.
3b: Kindergarten Students. Kittson Central School, Hallock Pigeons, 2023. Kwik Stix tempera paint pens on paper 12 x 18 inches.19 pieces. Pigeons Kindergarten students at Kittson Central in Hallock created pigeons as a directed drawing of the character from Mo Willems’ books that follow the adventures of pigeon and his friends. (For example, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus). They learned to use shapes to create the character and then added a colorful background.
Section 4: General Student art chosen by art teachers. This section has artwork from Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fosston, Ada-Borup-West, and Warren Alvarado-Oslo. It features pen and ink, pencil, acrylic on canvas, mixed media, pottery, glass casting jewelry, Styrofoam prints, woodblock prints, watercolor pencils, watercolor, chalk, linoleum block print, oil pastels, aluminum metal embossing, and digital artwork. There are a total of 40 pieces in this section.
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at the end of June in conjunction with the 101 Dalmatians play at Northland Community and Technical College. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. Stay tuned for details.
The exhibit will be open on Thursday, July 27 during the Art & Wine Walk and the musical at NCTC.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours in the summer are Monday-Thursday from 8:00-4:30 PM, Fridays from 8:00 AM to Noon, and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about our exhibits 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.
Bemidji Sculpture Walk 2023 includes work by Roseau Metal Artist Sue Suess
Roseau metal artist Sue Suess has a piece of art in this year’s Bemidji Sculpture Walk near Patterson’s Clothing. “Strolling with the Wind” is the title of the sculpture. Suess established Raven Works Forge with her husband Joel Miller in 1990 in Roseau. They specialize in decorative and functional wrought iron. She received a grant from the NWMAC to help her complete this work.
Traveling Art Exhibit Tours NW MN Region Visits Thief River Falls Public Library until July 10
Traveling Art Exhibit Tours NW Minnesota Region
Visits Thief River Public Library for First Stop
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. The exhibit includes 15 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 Thief River Falls Public Library until July 10. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale. This is the first stop of this traveling art exhibit tour.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“ (Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go On A Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The full schedule of the 2023-2024 Traveling Art Exhibit will be announced soon. 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.
Poetry Submissions for the Northwoods Art & Book Festival Aug 12 in Hackensack
The public is invited to attend the upcoming Northwoods Art & Book Festival, taking place on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Hackensack. The 2nd annual Poetry Safari is a part of this event — this year's theme is "Celebrating animals and the environments where they live and thrive."
Poems that resonate with elementary and middle school-aged children are especially encouraged. Feel free to submit up to two poems, keeping in mind that they should be easily reproduced on 8.5" x 11" paper.
Here's how it works: Eleven creatively decorated Poetry Safari stands will be hidden throughout the festival. Participants, both young and old, will check in at Safari Headquarters to receive a pencil, Poetry Safari button, and poem tracker. Armed with these tools, they'll embark on a quest to find the hidden poems and experience the joy of poetry firsthand.Submit your poetic masterpieces to kokoropoets@gmail.com by July 1, 2023. All submissions will be reviewed. Eleven poems will be selected that capture the spirit of the Poetry Safari. Chosen poets will be notified by July 21, 2023.For further information or any queries about the Poetry Safari, contact the Poetry Safari Headquarters at (218) 270-5648 or email kokoropoets@gmail.com.
North Country Fiddle & Dance presents lynx lynx June 19
North Country Fiddle and Dance and EGF Campbell Library presents
lynx lynx
Monday, June 19th 20237 to 9 pm
East Grand Forks Campbell Library
422 4th Street N.W.
Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian- Swedish folk music duo – lynx lynx. The variety of strings includes fiddles, Hardanger fiddles, guitars, and even a mandolin. The mix of tunes is put together by both their original and traditional Nordic fiddle tunes.This is what music sounds like between two Scandinavian transplants in the Midwest coming together to share their fiddle tunes
Admission is free will donation at the door
May Newsletter
Read our May 2023 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/44QBDKU. So much has happened recently!
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.Read here: https://conta.cc/3JBDE3A.
Tending the Creative Soul All About Murals
The topic of next Tending the Creative Soul is "All About Murals." Have you created murals? Are you curious about how murals are made? Do you have advice, questions, thoughts, etc. about murals? Are you interested in having a mural created but don’t know how to go about having one created?
Feel free to join the Zoom conversation on Wednesday, May 10 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Reach out to Trey for the Zoom invite at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com
Kate Hammer’s Art of Addiction ceramic art in NCTC display case
Stop by the display cases near the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC to view Kate Hammer’s Art of Addiction ceramic art pieces.
Art and Spirituality Call for Art. Deadline is July 20 for August/September Exhibit
Art and Spirituality Call for Art. The deadline is July 20 for this August/September exhibit at our gallery at NCTC. Contact Trey to learn more.
Northwest Minnesota Art Reception and Awards
Student and adult artists residing in our seven-county region including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau and Red Lake entered into the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit and competed for $2,300 in cash awards. The exhibit was open in March and April. The NWMAC held an art reception and awards program on April 30 in Middle River. Visitors came from all over to view the art and honor the artists. The winners were recognized at the reception at the Middle River Legacy Center.
The reception included fantastic catered sushi and fun desserts, dragonfruit fizzy tea, and coffee made with beans roasted in the building. NW Star Awardee Cathy Erickson played music.
Of the Year Awards -- the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Artist of the Year, and Arts Advocate of the Year were presented. The Exhibit and Reception were open to the public and free to attend. Many pieces of art were for sale. The reception was a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
Funding for these awards is provided by the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature.
Exhibit cash award winners were chosen while the exhibit was on display at the Middle River Legacy Center, 335 4th Street, Middle River by qualified juror and Project Director of the Miikanan Gallery at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji Karen Goulet. The public voted for People’s Choice.
This “art exhibition was wonderful to jury. It was challenging to make final selections for the art awards, as there were so many interesting and well-made works of art. As a curator and juror, I have criteria in making final decisions that reflect on innovation, content, and advancing craft. Creative courage is what moves arts and artists forward and keeps the arts invigorated. I can say that if there had been two more awards to give in each group this would have been easier for me to do.
I am particularly impressed with how many schools were represented in the exhibit. I know it has not been easy for the arts in the last few years because of the pandemic, and budget challenges. Art is something that makes the world better. There must be dedication by teachers and students to keep creating. I could see this dedication in the variety of work that was submitted.
Rural artists do not always have the same opportunities to be seen as are available in urban areas. The talent I saw in this exhibit reinforces my belief that rural arts are thriving. Whether artists can work full time, or they need to make around other commitments, the quality of the work is so impressive. Juried art exhibitions are subjective to the selection criteria of the juror. Each year is another opportunity to have work recognized and seen. I hope the artists in this exhibit will keep submitting work and seek other venues for their talent to be seen.”
Walk through the exhibit at https://youtu.be/bQGJLtDppB0.
Exhibit Awards include:
Adult Winners
1st Place $500 Jessica Ross of Thief River Falls for painting “Field Work”
2nd Place $300 Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla in Folk/Traditional Fine Craft “Grandma's Quilt”
3rd Place $200 Megan Sugden of Hallock for photography ‘Abandoned Divco Milk Truck’
Merit $100 Dennis Lee of Red Lake Falls in acrylic painting “Old House”
Merit $100 Nancy Vraa of Red Lake Falls in Folk/traditional Fine Craft ‘Country Classic”
Merit $100 Tim Anderson of Goodridge in Folk/Traditional Fine Craft “Let Your Light Shine” (wood bowl)
Merit $100 Debbie Dahl Aune of Gatzke for watercolor painting “Long Shadows”
Merit $100 Andrea Halvorson of Goodridge for drawing “Carrying Mom to Heaven”
People’s Choice $100 Tammy Hansen of Newfolden
Student Winners
1st Place $300 Carter Lee Johnsrud of Goodridge for mixed media “Masking”
2nd Place $150 Andrew Glad of Greenbush for Other Folk Art “Vincent“
3rd Place $100 Geneva Gartner of Fertile in sculpture “Moth”
Merit $50 Quinn Pittman of Greenbush for drawing “Moe”
Merit $50 Ashton Jensrud of Fertile for other typewriter drawing “15” (Boston terrier)
Merit $50 Rhiana Utter of Greenbush for print “Elsa”
Merit $50 Paris Sondreal of Middle River in sculpture Vase Tumbler
Merit $50 Logan Krueger of Fertile for mixed media “Frederick” (burned paper skull)
People’s Choice $50 Carter Lee Johnsrud of Goodridge
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. Five exhibit pieces of student art were also chosen to be hung in the hallway of Senator Mark Johnson’s office in St. Paul.
Arts Advocate of the Year is Bonnie Stewart
Arts Advocate of the Year is Bonnie Stewart
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Bonnie Stewart of Fosston was awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award.
Stewart has been a champion of the arts in Fosston since the early 1990s. She has served on the boards of the East Polk Heritage Center, the Pine to Prairie Folk School, and the Firefly Center for Art and Wellbeing. She was instrumental in establishing the City of Fosston’s Art and Culture Commission and continues to serve on it. She is the part-executive director for the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association. Through these positions and volunteering with other projects, she has led and initiated programming and education efforts, secured artwork for exhibition at the Sorenson Gallery and performing artists at the Fosston Community Library and Arts Center Theatre, written numerous grants and assisted area artists with grant writing. Bonnie’s tireless commitment to the arts has made a tremendous impact in our region.
Stewart left her professional career as a non-profit administrator over fifteen years ago and still consults with non-profit organizations on a part-time basis. Five years ago, she obtained a Master of Liberal Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In addition to her non-profit work, Bonnie also owned and operated two retail businesses in Fosston – Nellie’s Attic and Good Things. She co-founded Sisters Sojourn in 2011, a two-day event held annually in Mentor, MN that featured women artists, entertainers, and speakers.
Other activities she enjoys are reading, writing, travel, and kayaking. She professes to be an “artist wannabe” and has dabbled in art that primarily includes watercolor and collage.
According to Fosston Artist Heidi Danos, “Bonnie has been instrumental in supporting the arts in Fosston and the surrounding area in countless ways. She’s been on boards, written numerous grants, been active in projects, and simply been a rock in our community. She isn’t afraid to serve in any capacity. Most recently, Bonnie has been a huge instrumental force in propelling a new project forward, the Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing. The Center is partnering with Alluma to create a mixed-use space that will serve the community by providing accessible access to mental health with a creative twist.”
Stephenie Anderson said, “Bonnie has been a supporter of the Arts in Fosston for decades and is always willing to pitch in for the good of the community. I have known Bonnie to be a fantastic artist and arts advocate. Her quick wit, attention to detail, and loyalty to the art community have endeared her to the residents of Fosston. Bonnie has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to bring art and heritage to all the people in our community.”
About the impact of the arts Bonnie said, “I think they are one of the most important things that a person can experience. Art is essential to our wellbeing, to how we look at the world and other people. I’m so grateful we have these opportunities in Minnesota. The Legacy funding has been incredibly important. Art is life is my mantra.”
Bonnie’s advice to aspiring artists is, “Step out of that comfort zone and just do something. Take the class. Meet the other artist. Stretch your boundaries a bit. Seek information about something you are interested in. I’ve witnessed young artists who have been transformed by trying out their idea.”
This award was presented on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center. 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, Bonnie!