4.25.23 Karen Goulet

Juror Karen Goulet at the NW Art Exhibit in Middle River April 2023

Karen Goulet recently juried the annual NW Art Exhibit in Middle River. In this podcast she discusses what a Juror does — jurors are “asked to come in and select the most outstanding pieces in an exhibit” and how she jurors an art show. Karen “ looks for authentic voice, creative courage, and then the craft and technical aspects of the art.” She also talked about the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji where she works.

Karen is a practicing artist, poet, community organizer and educator. She is the Project Director of the Miikanan Gallery at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. This gallery, dedicated to Indigenous arts, is the first of its kind in the region.  It’s supported by the Blandin Foundation and McKnight Foundation. Karen received her BA from The Evergreen State College, MFA in Sculpture from The University of Wisconsin – Madison, and MEd from University of Minnesota Duluth. She grew up in a family of 'makers' and artists. Her mother sewed and knitted and her father was an oil painter and woodworker who also taught her to embroider. Her decision to become an artist occurred when she went to college and met instructors who would become her mentors and supported and encouraged her to go on and pursue a degree that would give her opportunity to stay in the arts for a career. She has lived in interesting places, mostly rural, where she has met many interesting creative people. She believes in the power of art and community and takes opportunities like this to visit new  places to see what creative people are doing. Listen to hear more!