TRFACT’s former Executive Director Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls is this year’s Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Jane and Phil spoke about Jane’s background,  theater, meeting Ethel Merman and more!

Jane is a theater artist – actor, singer, director, costumer -- and former Executive Director and founding member of the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater (TRFACT). Her decades of service, leadership, and advocacy have had a profound impact on area actors and audiences. Jane believes in nurturing young artists for their development and to sustain a vibrant arts community. Her unwavering commitment to the arts and arts education and her extraordinary ability to strengthen and expand the local theater community can be felt throughout our region. 

This award will be presented on Saturday, April 25 in Warroad at Warroad RiverPlace University of Minnesota. 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, Jane!

Listen to the conversation to learn more and join us on April 25 in Warroad.

Alice Blessing was the juror of the NW Art Exhibit in Warroad this year.

Alice Blessing is a socially engaged artist based in Bemidji whose work is deeply informed by principles of intersectional feminism. Over the past two decades, Blessing's portraits have been exhibited in numerous galleries across the state, earning her multiple awards and grants. She is also an experienced educator, having taught at Bemidji State University for 13 years, as well as conducting painting workshops throughout Minnesota. Currently, Blessing serves as Gallery Director at Bemidji State University, where she teaches courses in Drawing, Painting, and Color Theory. She has a BFA in painting from Bemidji State.

As a juror she looks at each piece objectively, as well as the level of skill and experience. Part of the level of success is when a piece really hits you. Art is universal and can present any point of view. She spoke about fingerprinting and her own project on non-conformity. “Thirteen: Nonconformity” is a portrait series that explores intersectional feminism, gender, and the consequences of systemic oppression through finger-painted portraits of children aged 6-13 and includes 13 large portraits.

About the exhibit she shared, “Walking through this exhibit, I felt a genuine connection to the care, creativity, and individuality present in each piece. Here we have a beautiful balance between technical skill and imagination, where our participants’ unique approaches show us the limitlessness of art. I was especially moved by the range of expression; all of these pieces are full of curiosity and exploration. This collection highlights both seasoned expertise and emerging talent and offers a hopeful glimpse into the future of art. Thank you so much for inviting me to play a small part in this wonderful exhibition.”

Area guitarist Anthony Diaz has played the guitar for over 30 years and recently finished a project that he received NWMAC funding for. It’s inspired by the book Becoming Nobody. Anthony spoke about the book and the impact it had on him. His project is a radio documentary where he plays bluegrass music with a mandolin, banjo, and guitar. It’s a mixture of storytelling and song (including a narrative; stories between each song). Each song is a different plane of consciousness.

Recently, Anthony played for the Stardust & Soul artist reception at the Fournet Building in Crookston and he will be playing at the Artist Reception for the Good Vibrations exhibit (on April 16) at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. He is also featured in that exhibit.

You can find the radio documentary on Apple music, Spotify and YouTube (search Anthony Diaz Planes of Consciousness). Listen to this interesting conversation to learn more!

East Grand Forks Artist Jeanne O’Neil is a printmaker, musician, dance caller, and part of the O’Neil Family Band and Co-Founder of North Country Fiddle and Dance. North Country Fiddle and Dance is featured in the Good Vibrations exhibit currently open at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls.

Jeanne and her husband Tom founded North Country Fiddle and Dance in 1986 and focused on community dances and other performances. Their style is American Folk Dance and the music they play includes Appalachian, Metis, French Canadian, and Scandinavian. Their daughter Erin plays the fiddle and is part of their band. Dances are at Bernie’s Restaurant now from 3-5:30 PM. There is no charge to attend, but they accept donations. Other bands are brought in to join them at the community dances. They also receive funding from the NWMAC. They spoke about dancing, Jeanne’s history, what the community dances involve, Jeanne’s past mural painting, etching and printmaking, teaching art, and much more. Check out one of their community dances (once a month — the next one is April 25) and listen to this interesting conversation!