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10.28.26 Cathy Erickson
A wall in the Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories folk art exhibit is dedicated to “Polka Queen” Cathy Erickson of Middle River. The Cathy Erickson Band is nationally recognized with Cathy as the accordion player. She also played with The Alleycats. This spring she was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and was awarded the NW Star Award from the NWMAC a few years ago. Cathy received a grant from the NWMAC to purchase radio equipment to allow her to host radio shows from home. Learn how she came to host a show on Pioneer 90.1 and many more stories.
10.21.26 Jeff Olson
Metal Artist and Author Jeff Olson of Fosston has work in our current folk art exhibit — Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories. Jeff owns Olson Iron Works. He’s also a blacksmith and co-founder of Pine to Prairie Folk School.
Jeff believes that we are all creative. When asked what folk art means to him, he shared, “Folk Art is defined as the traditional decorative or practical art created by ordinary people who usually lack formal artistic training. I believe it’s much deeper than that. Everyone has creativity baked into their DNA. We are all running on a 300,000 year old Ice Age Hard Drive. Our ancestors needed to be creative to survive extreme weather, hunt, process food and defend themselves. They made clothing, tools and weapons and archaeological evidence from that era show that they decorated those items. I believe our ancestral Hard Drive is still there. Many of us just do not take the time to access those gifts left to us by our ancestors. I encourage people to take time away from their busy, digitized life and do that creative thing that puts a smile on their heart.”
He spoke about blacksmithing, the exhibit, his work in the exhibit, tools, mentoring, how he works, the phrase “chase the skill,” and enjoying your journey. You can find him on Instagram @Jeff Olson Artist.
Listen to the conversation and visit the exhibit!
10.14.26 Xavier Tavera Castro
Xavier Tavera is a Mexican photographer and artist. Since 2001 he has traveled to Crookston once a year to work with In Progress teaching media to youth. Right now, he has work in the Fresh Voices exhibit at the Fournet Building.
Xavier spoke about the digital works in the exhibit and how they are a reflection in time. The photographers were his students who have grown and their kids are being taught by Xavier. He worked with Morgen Arguelles to capture the image “Service” – a Portrait of McKenzie Schmiedt for this exhibit. “McKenzie Schmiedt joined the National Guard while still in high school. Since then, she has trained, served communities in crisis, and responded during times of turmoil. Her service continues a long tradition of military service within her Latino family. Born and raised in Crookston, McKenzie now raises her own child in the community.”
Xavier’s photographs are inspired by interactions with strangers on the street, neighbors, and family members. His portraits emphasize individuals who are often marginalized, and he frequently focuses on members of the Latinx community. His work is based in prolonged engagement with his subjects. in his theory of photographic experience in which the process begins when the artist conceives an idea, continues over the course of multiple conversations with the intended subject (sometimes involving long-distance travel, culminating in one or more photography sessions, complete with the image post production. Xavier feels that the final image printed on paper is a byproduct or record of the photographic experience.
During the interview, Xavier and Phil discussed Xavier’s background, military service, photography, Crookston, and so much more. Xavier explained,“Our stories are getting diluted. This is the opportunity for us to tell our own story, how we are contributing. “
You can find Xavier’s work online. Google his name and you can find a website and his photographs that are displayed throughout the world.
Listen to learn more, visit the exhibit, and take in the Artist Reception and 30th Anniversary activities!
9.30.26 Cyndy Renfrow
Cyndy Renfrow shared the upcoming schedule and details about the Northern Lights Concert Series in Roseau (Roseau School Theatre) and Warroad (Warroad RiverPlace). Season tickets are available for $45 (students are $10). This gets you into all the shows. Individual tickets are not available at the door. There are 6 performances this season — usually there are 5 in a season. Shows include an A Cappella group, comedian and magician, tribute bands, and ArcoStrum (violin, guitar, fiddle, flute, and piccolo).
Find out more info and buy a season pass on their website at northernlightsconcerts.com. You can also reach Cyndy at 919-645-8839. Listen to learn more!
9.23.26 Brianna Geer
Brianna Geer is the Goose Festival Committee Chair. Goose Festival is September 25-27 this and has an impressive lineup of music this year. The NWMAC has provided grant funding to help fund the music at the Middle River Sportsmen’s Club and on Main Street. Performers include Tennis Tyler, The WoodPicks, the Alley Cats Reunion Band, Cathy Erickson, Nathan Bukowski, Gracie Crocker, and Key Beat. Listen to the interview for details.
9.16.26 Alex Evans
Alex Evans is the director of this year’s Goose Festival show — George Washington Slept Here. The show is a farcical comedy about the purchase of a house. Originally from Greenbush, Alex has directed 3 Goosefest productions. Alex spoke about the show, putting the play together, his history, and much more. He is also starring in the show. The play will September 24-27 in Middle River. Get your tickets in advance as it usually sells out. Listen for details and make a point to see this funny play.
9.9.26 Dara Maunu
Dara Maunu has written 2 children’s books Evee's Elevator and Messy Hair Don’t Care. She spoke about the books, including their audience. She is also a visual artist who paints with acrylics and usually landscapes; and is a regular entrant into our annual exhibit. Finally, Dara is the owner of Let's Dance Studio in Warroad and teaches dance classes. She is also one of the founders of Kidprenuers in Warroad. Listen to the conversation to hear details!
9.2.26 Jerry Amiot Pioneer Day
Here’s an event to put on your calendar — September 13 is Pioneer Day in Crookston. Jerry Amiot spoke with Phil McKenzie about the yearly event, its history, and this year’s arts line up, including Project Constellation, The WoodPicks, Dean & Peggy, blacksmithing demonstrations, and wheat weaving.
The 2026 Pioneer Day will be held at the Polk County Museum and in various buildings on its grounds located at 719 East Robert Street in Crookston. The event begins at 11 AM and ends at 4 PM.
12:30 PM "Dean and Peggy" a musical duo from the Bemidji area, with guitar, mandolin, banjo and jaw harp, will perform Celtic and fiddle tunes.
1:45 PM "Project : Constellation" a duo from Grand Forks will perform live traditional Scandinavian music, with guitar and violin.
3 PM "The WoodPicks" from Thief River Falls will perform an acoustic mix of Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and Americana music.
The event is free to attend. Organized by the Polk County Historical Society. They received funding from the NWMAC.
8.26.26 Elizabeth Rockstad and Deb Alexander
Ada Artists and Residents Elizabeth Rockstad and Deb Alexander spoke about the process from start to finish in creating a community mural in Ada. The idea came from the historical society to acknowledge and celebrate Ada’s 150th birthday. It was painted inside on sign board and then installed outdoors. Barn quilts, mosaic butterfly wings for photo ops, and many other images are included. The project received funding from the NWMAC, as well as donations. Listen to the conversation for details!
8.19.23 AFRAN Richard Hagen and Josué Savoie
Association of the French of the North (AFRAN) Board Members Richard Hagen and Josué Savoie shared information about AFRAN’s upcoming Chautauqua on August 22-23 at Old Crossing and Treaty Park in Huot, including the location of the event and its meaning, history, and cultural importance, as well as and the lineup, like Metis fiddler Jamie Fox, Fiddler and Stepdancer Danielle Enblom, The Skally Line, and more. The event is free to attend and free to camp. Listen to the conversation to learn more and make plans to attend!
8.12.26 Gail Ose
Thief River Falls multidisciplinary artist Gail Ose spoke about her background (engineering degree, creative frequency coach, and more). Gail completed our TARP training this spring and is on NWMAC’s teaching artist roster. She is a frequent contributor of art in our exhibits. She is the owner of Serendipity Art Hub and offers visual art workshops like Creating from Within: Portals of Self Discovery. Listen to the podcast to learn more!
8.5.26 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke about the NWMAC’s current Call for Folk Art, what folk art is, and examples of art or items individuals or groups can submit for the exhibit. The submissions deadline for the Folk Art Exhibit is August 21 and it will be open from September 3 to the end of November at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. Mara also shared info about NWMAC’s Active Artist Award. This is a reimbursable award for eligible art purchases up to $500. Artists are encouraged to reach out to Mara before they make the purchase to ensure that it is eligible for reimbursement. It’s a much simpler process than applying for a grant. Mara also highlighted the Emergency Relief Fund. August 15 is the next upcoming deadline. This funding uses a simple form as well. You can find the forms and information for the Active Artist Award and the Emergency Relief Fund at the top of our website under forms and also under resources. Finally, Mara spoke about NWMAC’s grant deadlines for arts projects, individual artists, artist residencies, and arts equipment. Find out more throughout our website, monthly e-newsletter, and social media (FB, Instagram, and more!).
7.22.26 Ross Hier & Beau Bakken
Artists Beau Bakken of Hallock and Ross Hier of Crookston were the featured artists this week. Their work is featured in the exhibit Iron and Feathers: Art of the Northwest is open through August at the Historic Fournet Building.
The Artist Reception will be on August 13 from 6 to 7:30 PM. Lake Bronson Violinist Eden Johnson will be playing. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The exhibit will close after the reception.
For this exhibit, Ross concentrated on birds. He prefers to use watercolors on paper. Beau’s work is in acrylic on canvas. His work focuses on buildings and vehicles — old trucks, tractors, machinery, and elevators— that capture interesting scraps of light on metal. Both artists discussed their practice, process, our region, and more! Many pieces of the art is for sale.
7.8.26 Britt Dahl
Roseau County Historical Society Director and Curator Britt Dahl spoke about the museum, the exhibits, events they host and sponsor — authors, music, art classes (wood carving, crop art) — history, and more. The museum is located in the Roseau City Center. They’ve received grant funding from the NWMAC for some of their arts events. Stop by to check it out and listen to the interview to learn more!
7.1.26 Anna Pollock
Anna Pollock is the Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the current Forum of Regional Arts Councils board chair. She spoke about the regional arts councils, the Legacy Amendment, other funding sources, and the impact of the Emergency Relief Funds on her region (we are trying to promote this program ourselves now with $500 grants).
NWMAC's Emergency Relief Fund. The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term relief to individual artists facing housing, healthcare, income, transportation, legal, or property loss emergencies that impact their wellbeing or ability to work. This program offers one-time awards of $500. In general, payments for emergency assistance are considered gifts and are not taxable income. Individuals must be currently active in a creative practice and live in Region 1: (Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, or Roseau). The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported by F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
The application process opened May 1, 2026. Application deadlines are June 15, August 15, October 15, and December 1 as funds allow. Read more and download the application here at our website.