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!

The music of Santiago and Christina Silva of Project: Constellation blends folk, punk, Irish music, pop, and more. Christina is a violinist and Santiago plays the guitar. They perform Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Danish songs sung in their languages, drawing on Santiago’s background growing up in Stockholm, Sweden. They are working artists in the Red River Valley who offer live performances and write their own songs. Their Scandinavian music programs started when they played at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead with a set of Swedish music; then performing Norwegian music the following year. Recently, they began playing at museums and libraries throughout the region. The duo is included in the Good Vibrations exhibit at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Follow them on their Facebook page Project: Constellation. Christina is also an author of children’s literature and YA fiction. Listen to hear about their music, where they perform (including the Eastern European country of Georgia and throughout the US), and more!

Crookston Ojibwe artist Candace Sam spoke about the vibrant mural she and Trey Everett created at Highland Elementary at the entrance to the library. The mural depicts the 7 Grandfather Teachings (including animals) with an Ojibwe beadwork theme. The teachings are core Ojibwe principles designed to guide individuals toward a good life based on wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. These sacred values, often associated with specific animals representing their spirit, are essential for fostering community, ethical behavior, and balance. They worked with native students teaching them painting skills. She spoke about how they created the mural and the positive reactions from the students. Candace explained details about references in the murals helping to educate students and link her culture to the schools and the greater community.

Candace and Trey are also creating a mural at the Crookston High School that will begin soon. Candace’s high school daughter will be creating a mural at the same time.

In addition to painting, Candace does bead work (including beaded outfits) and makes jewelry.

Listen to hear all about the murals and Candace!

Devra Carlson of rural McIntosh, a close friend of one of our featured artists in the Good Vibrations exhibit, spoke about Little Bobby, his impact on the music industry, and how he became a blues musician. Little Bobby hosted a radio show Little Bobby’s Juke Joint that promoted and featured blues music on Pioneer 90.1. He also sponsored a Women of the Blues festival because of their underrepresentation in the genre. Devra provided a glimpse of the human side of Little Bobby, as well. Listen to hear the conversation plus a snippet of Little Bobby’s music.