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10.15.25 Therese Jacobson
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!
10.8.25 Mara Hanel
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!
10.1.25 Shelley Grove
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!
9.24.25 KayDell Super
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!
9.17.25 Kari Sundberg
Grygla resident Kari Sundberg worked for over 13 years as the writer and editor of the Grygla Eagle newspaper. During that time she interviewed veterans and featured their stories in the newspaper. She took these stories, edited them, and wrote a book The Things They Carried Home as a way of preserving them. She received a grant from the NWMAC for this project. She’s traveling the region to speak about the book. She has also launched the Northern Neighbor, an online news stand on Facebook and on a website thenorthernneighbor.com.
9.10.25 Dennis Kinkead
Hallock Visual Artist, Metal Worker, and Sculptor Dennis Kinkead’s artwork including metal work and watercolor paintings is featured in our current exhibit Designz in Metal at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls. Dennis spoke about how he created the art, his background, and the art itself. The exhibit includes furniture, a metal crow and raven, roses, a dragon, and paintings. Watercolor painting is new to him, but you couldn’t tell. He follows and learns a lot from an instructor Henry Lee (Blue Heron Arts) on YouTube who offers weekly online classes. Everything in the exhibit is for sale (except for the poppy painting) and Dennis accepts commissions. You can email him at dkinkead1946@gmail.com. The exhibit is open until October 8. Listen to hear more!
9.3.25 Jerry Amiot
Jerry Amiot spoke with Phil McKenzie about the upcoming Pioneer Day (September 7 from 11 AM to 5 PM) in Crookston at 719 E Robert Street that the Polk County Historical Society holds. The NWMAC provides a grant for arts activities during the event, including live music, arts demonstrations, and more. The event is free to attend. The Polk County Historical Society Board volunteers much time and effort for this fun event. Listen for details!
8.27.25 Lee Ann Hall
Lee Ann Hall of the Ada Chamber of Commerce spoke about the upcoming Fun in the Flatlands September 4-6 at the Norman County Fairgrounds. The NWMAC provided funding for live music, theatrical face painting, and art workshops. Listen to hear the details.
8.20.25 Virgil Benoit
Virgil Benoit of AFRAN (the Association of the French of the North) spoke about the upcoming Chautauqua and Arts Festival at Old Crossing Treaty Park taking place on August 23 and 24 this year in Huot, Minnesota. A long list of musicians and dancers will be performing, as well as exhibits and general demonstrations during the 2 day event. A Polish American supper will be served on Saturday evening. This event combines history with art. While this is the largest, the organization sponsors other events during the year. Find out more at OldCrossing.org. Listen to this entertaining and informative discussion that includes a history of the trading period and much more!
8.13.25 Christine Sibilleau and Tami Borgen
The Roseau Gazebo Night Series is a summer-long series of musical concerts and performances for audiences of all ages in Roseau at the gazebo. Christine Sibilleau and Tami Borgen spoke about this weekly evening of free outdoor entertainment that the NWMAC provides funding for. The series was started in 2021 by the Women of Today and other volunteers. In addition to speaking of the history of the series, they gave a recap of the line up this year. Upcoming is a local talent night that they host each year. You can learn more on their FB page @RoseauGazeboNight. Listen for details!
8.6.25 Dale Price
Stephen Arts Community Arts Center Board Member Dale Price spoke with Phil McKenzie about arts events in Stephen, including the upcoming Downtown Horns show on Thursday, August 7. The Downtown Horns includes a full array of instruments including guitar, trombone, saxophone, keyboards, vocals, and drums. The band plays in Stephen each summer. The Stephen Arts Council receives a grant from the NWMAC for their arts events that usually include theater, in addition to live music during the summer. On his own time, Dale performs throughout the region these days, including an upcoming show in Hallock. Listen to hear the conversation.
7.30.25 Abby Pearson
Executive Director of the Aurora Center for the Arts Abby Pearson spoke about her first year as the Executive Director of the organization in Fosston. The organization is celebrating its 45th year. She filled Phil in about recent and upcoming activities, including a summer porch concert series, an Alice in Wonderland play, a youth art exhibit in the gallery, art classes (embroidery with Stephenie Anderson and acrylic portraits with Pamela Edevold), an annual art auction, a lit fest in September, and more! Visit their website at aurorcenterforthearts.org and follow them on Facebook.
7.23.25 Jason Rominski
Jason Rominski gave an overview of the arts activities at the Marshall County Fair taking place July 23-27 in Warren. Here's a link to the website that provides a schedule and more info. http://www.marshallcountyfair.org/vonasek-free-stage.html Listen to hear all about it!
7.16.25 Cindy Adams
Director of the Kittson County Historical Society Cindy Adams spoke of the line up of events at the museum this summer. Lots has already happened but there are a number of upcoming arts events as well. The museum received a grant from the NWMAC for many of these events — live music, arts classes, presentations, cultural events, and an art exhibit (Rock and Beau Bakken). Cindy also spoke about the hours at the museum (plus free admission), what the museum includes (a lot!), the history of the area, the draining of Lake Bronson, and more. Email Cindy at history@wiktel.com. Listen to the conversation for details.
7.9.25 Carol Ihle and Polly Gustafson
Zehlians Members Carol Ihle and Polly Gustafson spoke about the Zehlians Art & Wine Walk in Thief River Falls on Thursday, July 10 from 4 to 8 PM. The theme this year is Flower Power. Carol and Polly spoke about the Zehlians and the activities of the organization, including the Art & Wine Walk, arts events, murals, and artists in residence. This event involves many volunteers and showcases businesses and artists in the region. You can purchase tickets at the Carnegie that day or beforehand (with a discount) at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trf-zehlians-art-wine-walk-2025-tickets-1259732075549?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Listen to learn more!
7.2.25 Jill Levene
Printmaker and Artist Jill Levene of Tabor spoke about her art and inspiration, how she became an artist, and her exhibit Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S. Levene at the Historic Fournet Building Downtown Crookston. Jill likes to feature the outdoors and animals in her art. She works a lot in fabric. The exhibit includes 2 fabric pieces, one that is usually at Tettegouche State Park’s lobby. The exhibit is open through August. There will be an Artist Reception at the Fournet on July 31. Listen to the conversation to learn more!