Alvarado Artist Therese Masters Jacobson is currently featured in an exhibit Drawn from Observation at the historic Fournet Building downtown Crookston. Therese spoke about how she got started painting, drawing, and other visual arts and the process of creating art. Drawn from Observation includes 29 pieces in pen and ink, acrylic, and colored pencil featuring nature, peace, her granddaughters, wheat, vegetables, animals, and more. These pieces are all for sale. Much of Therese’s inspiration comes from everyday life. Therese talked about living an artful life and what she observes all around her. Therese has a listing in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet and has a piece of art in our Artists of NW Minnesota exhibit at our gallery at NCTC. Therese has served on the NWMAC Board of Directors and worked for the NWMAC as the Exhibit Specialist besides being a regular exhibitor. Listen to hear this fun conversation and stop by Therese’s exhibit in Crookston!

Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke with Phil about current arts happenings and upcoming grants deadlines in our region. She also spoke about one-on-one consulting that we offer grant applicants and the grant writing station in our office. October 31 is a deadline for arts grants for organizations ($500-$10,000); November 15 is the deadline for Individual Artists ($1,500, $3,000, and $5,000). She explained the grant process, including paperwork, reporting requirements, and outcomes. Many applications are funded so it is worth your time to apply.

Current exhibits include the Artists of NW Minnesota Exhibit at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls featuring work by many artists who are listed in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet, Drawn from Observation featuring art by Therese Masters Jacobson at the Fournet Building Downtown Crookston, and the 2025-2026 Traveling Art Exhibit at the Hallock Public Library until November 12.

Phil and Mara also spoke about the Creative Minnesota results for our region. The NWMAC gathered information last year to help inform the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Creative Minnesota 2025 study. This information is measured by ticket sales and extra economic inputs due to attending an art activity including but not limited to lodging, food, or other shopping. This totaled approximately $7,500,000. We also have an economic impact calculator on our website to help measure the impact of the arts on the economy.

Listen for details!

Shelley Grove is the director of the upcoming Warroad Summer Theatre's dinner theater play Girls Night Out. She's originally from Canada and is on the Warroad Summer Theatre Board, staff at the new Warroad RiverPlace, and is the one-act theater coach. Shelley spoke about the theater space (they also refer to it as a performance hall). The production has been 5 years in the making. Shelley explained that the show is like Clue and that there are 3 different endings. Purchase tickets and learn more at www.warroadsummertheatre.com. The show is Oct 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. Listen for details and go see the show!

For the Goosefest Festival Production this year, KayDell Super is directing 3 comedic one-act plays. This is the first time that the theater has performed one-act plays. There are 4 performances total including Thursday, September 25 at 7 PM, Friday, September 26 at 7 PM, Saturday, September 27 at 6 PM, and Sunday, September 28 at 4 PM. The Middle River Community Theatre is celebrating 40 years. They perform in the old railroad depot. KayDell has been involved in the theater for many years. She spoke about the shows, the theater, and the changes throughout the years. The NWMAC provides funding for the Middle River Community Theatre. Listen to hear more!