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!