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4.23.25 Rena Zapata Bouchard
This week Rena Zapata Bouchard spoke with Phil. Rena will be receiving the Arts Advocate of the Year Award on Sunday, April 27 in Crookston at our Awards Reception and Program.
Rena spoke about how she got involved in Studio 110, what they offer, and being a make-up artist and a photographer. She coordinates all the activities there now.
A certified freelance makeup artist and portrait photographer, Rena is passionate about empowering others and using the arts as a tool for social change. In 2019, she spearheaded the creation of Studio 110, a permanent space dedicated to digital storytelling for youth and adults in Crookston and the surrounding area and has continued in an active leadership role with the organization.
A satellite site since 1996 for Minneapolis organization In Progress, Studio 110 first offered summer programs called Fresh Voices in Crookston. In high school, Rena participated in one of their sessions. Later in 2018, she enrolled her kids, and she joined them to chaperone and never left. There she learned portraiture and has continued to hone her craft.
Studio 110 has become a space for media arts creativity with themes related to breaking stereotypes and acceptance. It is open to everyone. Media arts is art made looking through a lens like photography and video. Rena helps students who identify as persons of color find a welcoming home base at Studio 110. She coordinates media arts workshops, bringing in talented professional artists from across the nation to teach and empower those who come to the downtown Crookston location. She also podcasts and utilizes her makeup artistry in creative projects with the students and offers free family portraits during themed holiday events at Studio 110.
This award will be presented on Sunday, April 27 in Crookston at the University of Minnesota. Everyone is welcome to attend. 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.
4.16.24 Rom Ogaard
The tables turned for our podcast this week. Pioneer 90.1 Radio Host Ron West, whose actual name is Rom Ogaard, was interviewed by Promotions Specialist Kristin Eggerling. Ogaard will be receiving the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award on Sunday, April 21.
Ogaard has been a radio host at KSRQ 90.1 radio at Northland Community and Technical College and is retiring at the end of the month. As Ron West, he has partnered with the NWMAC to offer a weekly radio segment that promotes artists, the arts, and arts organizations. He also has segments that feature the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks. These radio programs have brought news and information about the arts to our region and beyond and highlighted our regional artists.
This award will be presented on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum. 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.
Listen to the interview to hear about what Rom has learned about the arts and much more!
5.23.23 Bonnie Stewart
Bonnie Stewart of Fosston was awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award recently. She spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the award and her work advocating the arts. She also gave an overview of arts activities in the Fosston area happening this summer. For example, the children’s theater and a number of diverse concerts as part of Music on the Porch. FCLAA.org provides information about a number of the events.
Stewart has been a champion of the arts in Fosston since the early 1990s. She has served on the boards of the East Polk Heritage Center, the Pine to Prairie Folk School, and the Firefly Center for Art and Wellbeing. She was instrumental in establishing the City of Fosston’s Art and Culture Commission and continues to serve on it. She is the part-executive director for the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association. Through these positions and volunteering with other projects, she has led and initiated programming and education efforts, secured artwork for exhibition at the Sorenson Gallery and performing artists at the Fosston Community Library and Arts Center Theatre, written numerous grants and assisted area artists with grant writing. Bonnie’s tireless commitment to the arts has made a tremendous impact in our region.
About the impact of the arts Bonnie said, “I think they are one of the most important things that a person can experience. Art is essential to our wellbeing, to how we look at the world and other people. I’m so grateful we have these opportunities in Minnesota. The Legacy funding has been incredibly important. Art is life is my mantra.”
Bonnie spoke about the importance of the arts council, specifically the grants, promoting the arts, and the Traveling Art Exhibit.
Bonnie received the award on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center. 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, Bonnie!