Arts News
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.
Early June Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the early June 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at conta.cc/4aLbaA7
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
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.
NWMAC Exhibit: Awareness: within and without featuring artists Cindy Kolling and Gail Ose
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces
Awareness: within and without
May 30 – July 31
Featuring Artwork by Cindy Kolling and Gail Ose
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through July 2024
Artist Reception Wednesday, July 10 from 6 – 8 PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Awareness: within and without. 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. Cindy explained, “I want to make new art that invites viewers to expand their participation in life by developing and sharing appreciation and to consider our local world with fresh insight.”
Cindy continued, “I am not a medium purist and incorporate carefully researched information into the creation of my works, most of which are created in series. Much of what I do involves fine line technical pen drawing. My drawings almost always begin with some kind of in-field observations and sketches; and very often reference my photographs. The drawings are not meant to be technical or even very realistic renderings but do have interpretive accuracy to start with and evolve from there. Many of my drawings are taken further into hand printed pieces. I often work on carefully selected recycled fiber paper with quiet colors of hand-screened inks. My frames are repurposed “thrift store finds”, or custom-made by an area woodworker from reclaimed wood. I like mixing the old and new concepts to create something fresh. It is the result of experimenting with what one has; what one knows, and where one wants to go. The process is a work in progress.”
Gail Ose is a visionary artist and founder of Serendipity Art Hub based in Thief River Falls, where she lives on a farm with her husband, LeRoy, and their two Great Pyrenees dogs Carly and Thor. 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.
She explained, “I am honored to be paired with Cindy Kolling as one of the showcase artists in this exhibit and very grateful to the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council for supporting me and working with me in my endeavor to bring this dream of mine into the light as an emerging artist. It is my sincere hope that my paintings touch and inspire something inside visitors as they explore their unique images. Each of my portal paintings are sacred acts of allowing myself to be a vehicle for sharing an energetic message and each is infused with symbolic meaning designed to carry a specific energy of intention cohesive to its message. Each of my portal paintings are exercises in communing with spirit to bring forth the unseen realm and bridge it with the visible in the form of a painting. My portal paintings usually have a lot of symbology that usually invites the onlooker into wonderment and curiosity. They usually provoke introspection.”
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at youtu.be/Rcys2dLpwlg
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, July 10 from 6 – 8 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. 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 -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. Visitor parking is free.
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. 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.
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.
Upcoming Springboard Offerings for Artists — Virtual Session
Check out these virtual session from Springboard for the Arts!
Ask Me Anything: Small Business Storefronts
Join at 12pm Central Time on Monday, May 20 for a virtual conversation about opening an arts-centered store in a small town or city!
Discover the world of wholesale and learn about the logistics of owning or renting a downtown building with Fergus Falls-based small business owners Blayze Buseth, owner of Creation Shop, and Jan Werkau, owner of SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kurash Casey, Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos.
“Ask Me Anything” events are held throughout the year with Springboard’s Artist Career Consultants (ACCs) or staff and guest artists/presenters. Stay updated on our events calendar for more conversations in this ongoing series.
Register
Additional Upcoming Offerings for Artists
Copyright Essentials
Thursday, May 16
6:00-7:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
What is a copyright and do you need one to protect your work? In this free virtual Work of Art+ workshop, a staff member from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover the legal basics of copyrights for visual and performing artists. Presented in partnership with Dakota County Library.
Grant Writing
Tuesday, May 14
6:00-8:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
In this virtual Work of Art workshop, you'll learn the essentials of writing a grant proposal and get tips for searching for grants to fund your artistic practice. Free, and open to artists of all disciplines!
For more workshops and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/events/
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
Highpoint Center for Printmaking is looking for an Education Programs Manager
$55,00040 hours FTEApplications due: May 8, 2024
Reports to Executive Director; supervises 1 part-time staff. Works collaboratively with the Director of Artist Programs, Development and Communications Manager, and Administrative Coordinator.
Work is performed on-site Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm in Minneapolis, with occasional evening and weekend events and off-site workshops.
Highpoint Center for Printmaking (HP) is dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. They create pathways for artists, learners, and the public to increase their understanding and appreciation of printmaking through artistic and educational programs, a cooperative studio, a public gallery, and collaborative publishing opportunities.
They are seeking an Education Programs Manager to develop and manage all aspects of Highpoint’s education programs in alignment with their strategic plan and organizational values.
SUMMARY
The vision for Highpoint’s Education division is to remain integral to their neighborhood, city, and Midwest by leading accessible printmaking education that is responsive to the needs of learners and the broader arts-educational landscape.
Ideal Candidate: The Education Programs Manager is an experienced and ambitious arts educator with a clear vision for designing innovative programs and curricula. They have a learning and teaching philosophy that guides their work and an understanding of learning pathways for a wide range of participants. They will define a pedagogical approach for Highpoint and work collaboratively with all team members to integrate and connect this approach across program areas. They foster a culture of welcome, embrace an expansive definition of printmaking, and believe in human-centered learning.
The Education Programs Manager will collaborate with the Executive Director to set the pedagogical direction for the organization. They will support a growing roster of contracted teaching artists by cultivating relationships, designing annual instructor training, and developing resources. They will nurture relationships with artists, K-12 educators and administrators, and community partners. They are an active community member and understand the Twin Cities arts ecosystem and contemporary art. They are a facilitator, a connector, and supporter who are always finding ways to bring others into the fold. Understanding program outcomes and evaluation methods is key for this role.
TO APPLY
Please email jobs@highpointprintmaking.org with the following:
A cover letter describing your related experience, education philosophy, familiarity with and interest in Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Your resume of professional and lived experiences.
The following will be requested from position finalists:
Two professional references upon notification of the interview
As a part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a presentation on your previous educational program experience.
All finalists will receive a background check
TIMELINE FOR APPLICANTS
Applications due May 8, 2024
June 3, 2024 Finalists Notified (references requested)
June 10 – 11, 2024 Interviews
Early to mid-July 2024 start date
For more information, visit https://www.highpointprintmaking.org/employment2024
Empire Arts Center Summer Camps
EMPIRE ARTS CENTER
Program Opportunities for ages 12-19
The Empire Arts Center’s mission is to promote culture and lifelong learning by presenting our own artistic programming while providing a distinctive, welcoming venue for the arts, businesses, and community of the upper Red River Valley.
Join them this summer for educational programs in Grand Forks
Contact the Empire at 701-746-5500 or info@empireartscenter.com with any questions or to register. Learn more at their website here or empireartscenter.com/education
EMPIRE THEATRE ACADEMY
In this five week academy, students ages 14-19 will rehearse She Kills Monsters (a non-musical) by Qui Nguyen. Throughout the academy, students will learn how to analyze text, character development, voice projection, stage movement, working with props, theatre protocols, audition techniques, and resume writing taught by visiting professional theatre artists and academy director, Ryan King.
June 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-July 2, 7-10.
Time: 6-9 PM daily.
Performances July 11-13.
MOVIEMAKING CAMP FOR TEENS
The Empire’s two-week movie-making camp will take 12- through 18-year-old students through the process of brainstorming, writing, editing, directing, filming, and producing a short film. It will also allow them to cast their films from actors outside the camp, hence involving additional area youth. The finished, short movies will be screened at the Empire Art Center on the large screen in the auditorium, preceded by a Red-Carpet event so family, friends, and community members can view this unique locally produced film.
July 29-August 1, August 5-8.
Time: 12-5 PM daily
Red carpet premiere August 11 at 5:00 PM
Summer Art Camp at NDMOA
2024 SUMMER ART CAMP at the North Dakota Museum of Art
Visit ndmoa.com for Camp details and registration information. Space is limited.
SCHEDULE
June 10 – 14, 2024
1A – JEANNE O’NEIL
Press, Mesh, & Sculpt: Adventures in Art
1B – JAMIE WORDEN
Canvas & Clay: A Summer of Color and Creation
JUNE 17 – 21, 2024
2A – SAM SHARPE Rhythm & Rhymes: A Musical Journey
2B – MEGAN JOHNSON
Nature’s Palette: North Dakota Landscapes and Botanicals
JUNE 24 – 28, 2024
3A – CARRIE CONNELL & MICHELLE KARST
Wild Things Unleashed: Art Meets Theater
3B – MOLLY MCLAIN
Mosaic Magic
JULY 8 – 12, 2024
4A – LYDIA WELLE
Collage Creations: Crafting Summer Dreams
4B – CARRIE SAPA
From Sea to Shining Sea: Artwork Inspired by America & American Artists
JULY 15 – 19, 2024
5A – EVA BRANVOLD
Page to Palette: Artistic Explorations
5B – EMILY DENCKER
Canvas & Color: A Painter’s Playground
JULY 22 – 27, 2024
6A – KASANDRA GREGOIRE
Threaded Tales: Yarn Painting and Fiber Arts
6B – EMMA SCHREIBER
Art Across Cultures: Creative Explorations
Early Registration for Museum Members* opens
Wednesday, May 8 at 9 am
*Household membership level or higher
First-time Camper? Pre-register at Active.com
Secure your discount and early access by purchasing a Museum Membership.
Current Museum Members or Returning Campers?Check your eligibility today by calling the Museum at 701-777-4195 or by emailing MJ at mjhaji-sheikh@ndmoa.com.
Already on Active? Renew your Museum Membership.
You will receive a discount code for your discount and early access.
General Registration begins Friday, May 10 at 9 am.
NW Art Exhibit & Of the Year Award Reception and Program
Our annual Awards reception and program was held on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum. The exhibit opened at noon that day. Mingling and refreshments started at 2:00 PM along with live music by Eagle Creek and Eden Rowan Johnson.
The Awards Program started at 3 PM.
Of the Year Awards were presented to Potter Betsy Saurdiff for the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Musician Randy Larson for Artist of the Year, and Radio Host Rom Ogaard for Arts Advocate of the Year, in addition to exhibit awards. Randy Larson performed 2 songs with his adult children.
The Exhibit and Reception were open to the public and free to attend. The exhibit provides an opportunity to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The reception was a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
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!