Arts News

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.

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.

The Art of Addiction: An Exhibit Featuring the Ceramic Art of Kate Hammer
The Art of Addiction
An Exhibit Featuring the Ceramic Art of Kate Hammer and
Artwork by Other NW Minnesota Artists
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through Friday, April 28
Artist Reception Rescheduled to April 18 from 3 to 5PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of our latest exhibit -- The Art of Addiction. This exhibit is open through Friday, April 28 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
The exhibit features ceramic art by Roseau Potter Kate Hammer and other pieces of art by NW Minnesota artists around the theme of addiction. Kate Hammer explained, “For me this exhibit symbolizes healing and growth as an artist and a person living in recovery.” Other artists with work in the exhibit are Courtney Olson of Crookston, Mara Hanel of Warren, and Karrie Taie of Roseau.
In addition, there are 9 12 x12 canvas paintings included in the exhibit that were created in a workshop with residents of the Northwestern Apartments transitional living facility in Crookston. Mike Anderson who manages the apartments stated, “For those who have struggled with mental health and substance use problems in their life, recovery is a sometimes long and arduous path. Often it can literally be a life and death struggle. Residents of the Northwestern Apartments (NWA) transitional living facility know that struggle intimately. Many residents come to NWA from inpatient mental health facilities, homeless shelters, substance use programs, and incarceration. Criteria for admission is to have a serious mental illness, and about 3/4 of residents also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. But whether it is stabilizing mental health symptoms, or the daily challenge to stay clean and sober, recovery is the goal of all. Inclusion in this art therapy project, The Art of Addiction, was a great way for residents to “go deeper.” After an initial session with local artist Trey Everett, the residents engaged with supplies and canvas to work on their own creation, with the general theme of addiction and recovery as a guide. Residents spent a week with their art. Many did several art pieces. Some were unable to finish one. Others felt their art was too personal to put on display. The project was captivating – residents were in the community room, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, at all times of the day and night, working on their art, talking, and healing. One of the keys to recovery is connection, and this project provided that in addition to a personal and therapeutic experience that helped all involved on their healing path.”
Join us for an online discussion with Kate Hammer on Monday, March 20 at 11:00 am on the NWMAC Facebook or YouTube pages. After the broadcast, you’ll be able to watch the Artist Spotlight recording on our website, Facebook or YouTube.
Take a virtual tour of the exhibit here.
Join us for an artist reception at the gallery on Tuesday, April 18 from 3 to 5pm. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no cost. Please note this has been rescheduled from an earlier date!
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about our exhibits or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.

Artist Spotlight with Ceramic Artist Kate Hammer Monday, March 20
Watch this online discussion with Ceramic Artist Kate Hammer here.
Tune into the NWMAC Facebook or YouTube pages on Monday, March 20 at 11 am to watch a discussion with Roseau Ceramic Artist Kate Hammer. Hammer’s art will be featured in the NWMAC Exhibit The Art of Addiction, which is open from Wednesday, March 8 - Friday, April 28 at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. Can’t make it on the 20th? No problem. You’ll be able to watch a recording of the the spotlight any time afterwards. Let us know if you have questions.

Artist Spotlight featuring Christine Foster January 20
Did you miss our online discussion with Thief River Falls Visual Artist Christine Foster on January 20? The artwork of Christine and her husband Bert Foster is featured in our exhibit — Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls through March 3. We talked about the exhibit, Christine’s background and her artwork, insight into creativity and inspiration, and much more! The discussion was live on our Facebook page and YouTube Live. The discussion with Christine is here: https://youtu.be/JbZA18Mld88
You can view the discussion with Bert here: https://youtu.be/WHHi9r23Y8U

Artist Spotlight with Bert Foster January 23
Watch the recording of our online discussion with Thief River Falls Photographer Bert Foster on January 23. The artwork of Bert and his wife Christine Foster is featured in our exhibit — Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls through March 3. We talked about the exhibit, Bert’s background and photography, insight into creativity and inspiration, and much more! The discussion was live on our Facebook page and YouTube Live (and you can still find it there). You can also view it here: https://youtu.be/WHHi9r23Y8U.
You can view Christine’s Artist Spotlight here: https://youtu.be/JbZA18Mld88
For questions about Bert’s photography or to purchase any of his photographs, reach out to him at fosterbert1987@gmail.com.

More Drama Please! NWMAC Gallery Exhibit is open
More Drama Please!
Featuring Photos, Costumes, Props and More from Area Theater Groups
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls October 4 - November 30
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce our exhibit – More Drama Please! Open from October 4 through the end of November, this gallery exhibit features non-profit theater groups that work primarily with children in the NW Minnesota region. When you visit the exhibit you will find props, costumes, shoes, Paper-Mache creations, photos, playbills, advertising, and historical information. Many of the props and costumes are handmade and have been used in a variety of plays over the years.
The featured theater groups are Thief River Falls Area Community Theater, Middle River Community Theatre, and Fosston Community Theater. For this exhibit there are no pieces of art for sale.
TRFACT Director Jane Anderson said, “Since I am a full-time employee of the Thief River Falls ACT, theater is my working life. But it is also my non-working life. I live to create theater for the community, to educate children and adults on stage, and to bring joy and inspiration to those in the audiences. Bringing joy to others, makes me happy and whole.”
Kay Dell Super of the Middle River Community Theatre explained, “Directing children/students on stage has been a highlight of my life. Striving to implant teamwork, self-confidence, and compassion into children in today's world seems impossible at times with all the "outside noise of society" filling their minds and hearts. I feel drama is a great avenue for such qualities ... it forces them to focus and concentrate on the world around them. To combine two loves of children and theatre is a gift!”
The Fosston Community Library & Arts Association (FCLAA) Theater Program has been thriving for decades. Their Children's Summer Theater Program has run continuously since the mid-1980s. In 2019 "Mary Poppins, Jr." was performed with donated costumes by an anonymous patron. Included with the donation was a note stating that this dress, along with others, was made in the early 1900s. Director Abby Pearson shared, “Mary Poppins was a delight to costume and cast. Children in 3rd -12th grades were able to be a part of the ensemble. One of the Directors favorite parts of the show was creating the illusion of magic. It was so much fun for the students to brainstorm ways to make the illusion work. Students are involved in every aspect of the show to give them a well-rounded experience in theater.”
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett said, "I love the enthusiasm of the theater directors. They are passionate about youth being involved in and experiencing the world of drama and acting. Many of the high-quality props and costumes in the exhibit are homemade and have been used throughout the years. The creativity of the directors, staff, youth, parents, costume designers, prop engineers, artists, and photographers is evident in this wonderful exhibit."
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College, 1101 State Highway 1, Thief River Falls, MN 56701. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B. Visitor parking is free.
Stay tuned for an online discussion with the theater directors. You will be able to watch this Artist Spotlight on Facebook Live or YouTube Live. Visit the NWMAC Facebook page or YouTube page for more information. The Artist Spotlight will also be available to view at any time after the live broadcast. Reach out to us with questions.
For more information about our exhibits or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.

Dynamic Voices: A Collection of Work by Women Artists of NW Minnesota
Dynamic Voices:
A Collection of Work by Women Artists of NW Minnesota
Where: Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls
When: August 8 - September 28
Artist Reception Wednesday, September 28 from 5- 7pm
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce our exhibit – Dynamic Voices: A Collection of Work by Women Artists of NW Minnesota. The exhibit is open from Monday, August 8 to Wednesday, September 28 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College, 1101 State Highway 1, Thief River Falls, MN 56701.
Artists include Connie Nelson of Hallock, Rachel Gustafson of Hallock, Therese Jacobson of Alvarado, Heidi Danos of Fosston, and Stephanie Olson of Thief River Falls.
To experience the exhibit virtually click here.
You won’t want to miss this exhibit! Please join us for a free Artist Reception with the artists on Wednesday, September 28 from 5 to 7 pm at the gallery. Refreshments will be served.
Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick up when the exhibit ends.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B. Visitor parking is free.
Stay tuned for an online discussion with the artists. You will be able to watch this Artist Spotlight on Facebook Live or YouTube Live. Visit the NWMAC Facebook page or YouTube page for more information. The Artist Spotlight will also be available to view at any time after the live broadcast. Reach out to us with questions.
If you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, contact Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.