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6.3.26 Misti Koop
Described as a one woman arts institution by host Phil McKenzie, Misti Koop spoke about how she began her musical and theater stage career. Misti has been teaching music in Minto, ND for the last 7 years and will be taking a break next year to work on her creative efforts. Misti’s experience includes performing regularly in the Medora Musical and Frost Fire Theater. She’s the President of the Summer Arts Stages.
Stages Arts Stages is traveling drama camp that began 32 years ago in East Grand Forks under the direction of Larry D’Amico. Each year, Misti gathers a team to develop a show. They spend two weeks working on the show, including the costumes and sets for 2 teams who will travel the region from June through mid-August. This year the show is The Lion King. Kids will participate in these one week camps daily and at the end of the week they perform the show. Summer Arts Stages receives funding from the NWMAC. You can find the schedule for the camp throughout the region and more info at summerartsstages.com.
Misti is also involved in the Medora Christmas Tour. She received a grant from the NWMAC to help her create a favorites album of the Christmas show, which she’ll start to record soon and work into the fall.
If this isn’t enough, Misti serves on the Fire Hall Theater Board in Grand Forks and will be directing a show in January. She also teaches piano and plays many musical instruments.
Listen to hear more!
1.17.23 Janet Johnson
Featured on this podcast is Roseau Artist Janet Johnson. Janet has pottery at the Bead Gypsy in Roseau and she shared info about many of the other artists with work there, too. There are weavers and quality knitters, Julene Juhl from Greenbush is a glass artist and Jean Honl has rosemaling. It’s a great destination store, and the coffee is always on!
Janet is a former teacher. Recently, Janet's personal pottery has been hampered by the lack of a kiln and other commitments, but she's developed some fun pieces that have been popular, like her egg separators and thumb spoons. She received a grant in 2014 to purchase a wheel, supplies, and an old manual kiln for $500 and she just received another grant to purchase a new kiln (since her old one died — she's worn it out developing her craft and expanding her business.
Janet is a TARP (Teaching Artist Roster Program) artist. She took our free training that teaches artists numerous tools to help artists secure residencies and offer them successfully. Janet is a wonderful teacher and talented artist. She’s also on our enhanced artist listing. We are so fortunate to have her in our region. Listen to hear more!
12.6.22 Elizabeth Rockstad
Featured on this week’s podcast was Ada Mosaic Artist Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad. Elizabeth has taken the NWMAC’s Teaching Roster Program training (TARP) and is on our roster — (reminder that the NWMAC has a new training coming up in January/February and we're encouraging interested artists to apply). Elizabeth has taken advantage of the training and has taught a number of school and other residencies. Elizabeth has a studio in Ada Studio 4:13 where she offers workshops and classes. She has also received grants and awards from the NWMAC and been featured in many exhibits, including the Traveling Exhibit that is at the Ada Public Library currently. Listen to hear more!