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6.18.25 Denise Jenson
Nature Photographer Denise Jenson from Badger won 2nd place in the adult category in the annual NW Art Exhibit. Denise spoke about being a photographer, her arts background, taking art classes from the late Roseau artist Francis Karlsson, taking and then selecting the photo that she submitted to the exhibit, composition, and much more. Listen to hear about Denise and photography.
6.11.25 Monika Lawrence
Heritage Through Image Photographer Monika Lawrence spoke about her time in Minnesota, the exhibit, her photography, and more. She explained how this exhibit came to be right before she moved from Bemidji to Germany. Unfortunately, Monika has never seen the exhibit on the wall, even though she created it. The exhibit includes 22 images that depict traditional practices, customs, and folklore that serve a visual representation of regional heritage. Listen to this entertaining conversation and stop by the Carnegie to see the exhibit!
6.4.25 Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad
Ada Mosaic Artist Elizabeth Rockstad won 1st place in the Annual NW Art Exhibit in Crookston. She spoke of creating the piece of art that won (it’s part of a series of 3), the materials she used (slate, shale, Ada brick, glass), the background of her process, how the public finds her (Studio413mosaics.com or studio413@ymail.com), taking commissions, workshops she offers, school residencies, and galleries where her work is at. Listen to hear more!
5.21.25 Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson, Executive Director of the Thief River Falls Community Theater, spoke about TRFACT’s 30 year anniversary, the organization, the upcoming shows this summer, including Little Shop of Horrors (June 4-6 and 9-11), Seussical Kids (June 24-26), Talking with … by Jane Martin (July 9-10), and The Addams Family (July 29-31). You can buy tickets for these shows online at TRFACT.org. Jane also shared anecdotes about the importance and impact of theater for kids, as well as her work at TRFACT (including grant writing, publicity, and signing contracts, and more. Listen to the conversation to learn more about TRFACT and theater!
5.14.25 Darcy Reese Part 2
Darcy and Phil continued their conversation about Darcy’s creative approach to choir directing and receiving the NW Star Award. This is part 2 of the conversation.
They spoke about the trips that Darcy and the choir took to Minneapolis and NYC and what they experienced and learned about life, history, and humanity through music. They also spoke about racism, injustices, and how the students felt safe to express themselves in the classroom. Listen to hear the details.
5.7.25 Darcy Reese Part 1
Phil spoke with Darcy Reese of Thief River Falls. She’s a retired music educator and recently received the prestigious NW Star Award for creative choir directing from the NWMAC. She shared how she came to take an innovative approach to choir directing. Darcy and her students learned about and incorporated diverse experiences into the choir room and performances, including poems about the Holocaust, spending time with Holocaust survivors, Black Gospel music, and American Indian music and jingle dancing into performances. These experiences were eye opening for her and her students. This is part one of their conversation.
4.30.25 Loreen Hanson
Artist of the Year Loreen Hanson is featured on this week’s podcast. Loreen received the award from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council for Visual Arts. This award was presented on Sunday, April 27 at the University of Minnesota in Crookston. She spoke with Phil about her art and more.
With over 76 years of experience, Loreen has worked in numerous mediums, but she prefers to paint with watercolors. She likes the softness of watercolor. Her artwork ranges from images of wildlife, flora, and fauna, still life arrangements, portraits, and paintings of people doing everyday activities -- all of which celebrate life. She has skillfully captured the beauty of the world around her and has demonstrated her exceptional talent and dedication to the arts through her contributions to the art community.
Throughout the years, Hanson has participated in more than 30 art exhibits. She has been an active member of Artists Unlimited for over 40 years. She spoke about the trips they took together and the painting they did on the trips. Although she has not had any formal training, she has always been eager to learn and has sought to improve her work by attending several workshops, skill exchanges with other painters, and pored over books by professional artists. Her dedication to learning and honing her craft has shown through her works of art. Last fall Loreen had an impressive one-woman art show featuring 186 watercolor paintings in Thief River Falls!
Along with her artistic talents, Loreen also remains passionate about promoting the arts and has encouraged young and old alike to participate in it. Hanson gave this advice for aspiring artists, “If you can draw, you can paint. Choose your favorite medium and go for it.”
On the impact of the arts on society, Hanson shared “Art enriches our lives. Not just the artist’s life, but everyone’s. People appreciate art.”
Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. 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.
Listen to the conversation to learn more!
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.
3.19.25 Brayden Drevlow Part 2
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. This is the second part of their conversation. Brayden is a talented pianist. In the first part of the conversation he shared the challenges of practices his instrument when he travels. They spoke about how few pianos he finds internationally and the overuse of these pianos. Because of this, he has learned how to fix pianos. He fixes the pianos before his concerts. Now, when he returns to Minnesota for 3 to 4 months a year, he tunes and works on about 1,000 pianos. He also searches out pianos when he travels, fixes them, and performs.
Brayden has an upcoming concert in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Listen to hear their conversation.
2.12.25 Isaiah Burkel
Isaiah Burkel is a classically trained singer (a tenor) from Thief River Falls. He acted in the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater as he grew up in northwest Minnesota. He has sung with the Minnesota Opera in the chorus. Listen to his conversation with Phil about his career, experience, the impact of participating in theater in his youth, how the Minnesota Opera works, his advice, and more!
12.11.24 Aaron Espe
Roseau native and Nashville singer Aaron Espe plays the guitar and writes music. He is playing in Thief River Falls (at Our Saviours Lutheran Church on Dec 14), Roseau (at the Covenant church on Dec15), and Lancaster (at the Covenant church on Dec 16). He spoke about his path to his musical career and offered advice and thoughts for aspiring musicians. Many of his songs have northern Minnesota themes. Listen to learn more and hear a song by Aaron.
11.6.24 Shawna Boulette Grapentine
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Artist Shawna Boulette Grapentine is a Cree-Ojibway from the Metis community of Manigotagan and is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation. She is known for using silhouettes of nature and vibrant colors in her custom paintings. Shawna’s artwork highlights the beauty of the indigenous culture, her love for mother earth and everything that surrounds her.
Shawna Boulette Grapentine spoke with Phil McKenzie about her art in the current NWMAC Exhibit Immersed in Color, Inspired by Culture — she is the featured artist. She also talked about her background and how she became an artist. The exhibit is open through November 25 and includes work by Joan Kauppi, Therese Masters Jacobson, and Candace Sam
You can meet Shawna at the artist reception on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Listen to the podcast to learn more!
10.30.24 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Director Mara Hanel spoke with Phil McKenzie about upcoming grant deadlines, grant writing training, the grant writing station in our office, exhibits, calls for art, the upcoming artist booklet and more! Listen to hear about the many opportunities at the NWMAC right now.
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!
10.17.23 Stephanie Olson
Thief River Falls Artist and Goodridge English Teacher Stephanie Olson is the featured artist in our current exhibit -- Figures of Ghosts and Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson. She spoke about the artwork, the exhibit, the Artist Reception on Wednesday, October 17, her inspiration, and more! Listen for details and attend the Artist Reception at NCTC on Oct 17 from 6 to 8 PM (there will be live art, live fiddle music, snacks, and drinks!)