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2.20.24 Heidi Danos
Fosston Artist Heidi Danos spoke about the Firefly Center for Arts and Wellbeing in Fosston. She’s been involved in creating this unique center. The Firefly Center is reinventing the traditional approach to mental health care by creating a unique space that provides a place for all to connect through art and wellbeing events, but also brings professional mental health services to Fosston and the surrounding communities.
Here’s some background: Three years ago… a community group in Fosston discovered that Alluma, a regional mental healthcare provider, was looking to secure a permanent location in Fosston.
Firefly conducted feasibility studies with Artspace, a nonprofit organization that specializes in consulting with organizations like Firefly to create financially sustainable, artistic, multi-use spaces. The Center will rely on income from two main sources–rent from Alluma, a regional mental health service provider, as well as two 1-bedroom apartment spaces available to the general public for rent.
The Center will also rent space for community events, artists, and provide wellbeing programming, whether it be financial, social, physical, mental, spiritual, or more.
In June 2023 Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing filed for 501c3 status and established a 12-member board, each bringing a unique skill sets to this project. A lease was signed in July and construction has begun.
Listen to learn more about the background and the progress of the center!
11.14.23 Bonnie Stewart
Arts Advocate Bonnie Stewart of Fosston spoke about the history of the arts in Fosston. She described the details of the name change from FCLAA to the Aurora Center for the Arts. Their board undertook a branding campaign as a part of the name change. She also provided information about upcoming events like the Dan Rodriguez concert on December 8 and the Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts on Sunday, November 26. Listen to learn more and visit Fosston to take in these fun events!
10.24.23 Stephenie Anderson
Fiber Artist and NWMAC Board Member Stephenie Anderson was this week’s featured podcast guest.
Steph hand sews Viking-age textiles, creates folk costuming from the 1700s, and knits in Norwegian Nordic patterns. She spoke about the details of creating her Viking costumes, her family ties to Norway and the impact that has on her art.
Stephenie is an at-large member of our board from Fosston.
Stephenie studied and recreated historic knitting patterns from the Norwegian Husfliden archives and used historic knitting methods and patterns to create modern garments. She also studied and recreates historically accurate Viking Age garments based on archaeological findings. She has taught and displayed these garments in living history events such as: Heritage Days in Fosston, Nordic Fest in Decorah, IA, Midwest Viking Fest in Green Bay, WI, and several local events for both adults and children.
Stephenie is part of the Order Of The Mitten, a group of textile artists from Norway, England, Poland, and Fosston (Stephenie), who research textile grave finds and recreate as historically accurate as possible.
Steph explained that she joined the NWMAC Board for a few reasons. First, she’s been a grant recipient herself and wanted to give back. Being someone who has applied for a grant and received a grant gives her a different perspective when evaluating them. Second, because her community submits and receives grant funding, she feels having a representative on the board from her area is important. And finally, as an artist/craftsperson she believes it is important to help keep artistic opportunities going in our area. Thank you, Stephenie for serving on the board!
Listen to the podcast to learn 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!
11.29.22 Abby Pearson
Fosston resident and FCLAA member Abby Pearson is featured on this week’s podcast. Abby wrote and is directing a show in Fosston on Dec 2, 3, and 4 -- Christmas Through the Eras. It includes Christmas music from the last 100 years. Listen to hear about this show, theater in Fosston, and more! And, make plans to see the show.
8.16.22 Heidi Danos
Fosston Artist Heidi Danos is featured on this week’s podcast. A number of pieces of her art are included in NWMAC’s Dynamic Voices exhibit at NCTC. These artworks depict the female figure and were created with watercolor, acrylic, oil, and other mediums. The exhibit is open until September 28. In addition, Heidi has a piece of art in the Traveling Art Exhibit. Finally, Heidi is also organizing an art sale, featuring numerous artists, on behalf of the Arts & Culture Commission in Fosston for September 9 (2-5:30 pm) -10th (9am-3pm). Heritage Days and Forged in Fosston will also be happening. Stop by the Dynamic Voices Exhibit and visit Fosston on September 9 and 10! Listen for details!
3.29.2022 Bonnie Stewart
Fosston resident Bonnie Stewart is featured on this week’s podcast. She provided a history and overview of the FCLAA in Fosston. She also talked about FCLAA’s upcoming writing retreat from April 21 - 23. The retreat is taking registrations. The NWMAC has provided funding for the retreat. Residents in our region can apply for a grant to attend the retreat. There are scholarships available, as well. Listen to hear all about the presenters and much more!