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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!
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!
5.20.26 Bert Foster
Thief River Falls Photographer Bert Foster won a merit award in this year’s annual NW Art Exhibit. Bert has been a frequent exhibitor in our exhibits and has received grants from the NWMAC. Bert spoke about the camera he uses and the technical aspects and preferences of his work. He prefers landscape photography and recently started including humans. He and his wife, Christine Foster had an exhibit together at the NWMAC Gallery a few years ago. Listen to hear more about Bert’s photography and much more!!
4.15.26 Jane Anderson
TRFACT’s former Executive Director Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls is this year’s Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Jane and Phil spoke about Jane’s background, theater, meeting Ethel Merman and more!
Jane is a theater artist – actor, singer, director, costumer -- and former Executive Director and founding member of the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater (TRFACT). Her decades of service, leadership, and advocacy have had a profound impact on area actors and audiences. Jane believes in nurturing young artists for their development and to sustain a vibrant arts community. Her unwavering commitment to the arts and arts education and her extraordinary ability to strengthen and expand the local theater community can be felt throughout our region.
This award will be presented on Saturday, April 25 in Warroad at Warroad RiverPlace University of Minnesota. 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, Jane!
Listen to the conversation to learn more and join us on April 25 in Warroad.
3.25.26 Jeanne O’Neil
East Grand Forks Artist Jeanne O’Neil is a printmaker, musician, dance caller, and part of the O’Neil Family Band and Co-Founder of North Country Fiddle and Dance. North Country Fiddle and Dance is featured in the Good Vibrations exhibit currently open at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls.
Jeanne and her husband Tom founded North Country Fiddle and Dance in 1986 and focused on community dances and other performances. Their style is American Folk Dance and the music they play includes Appalachian, Metis, French Canadian, and Scandinavian. Their daughter Erin plays the fiddle and is part of their band. Dances are at Bernie’s Restaurant now from 3-5:30 PM. There is no charge to attend, but they accept donations. Other bands are brought in to join them at the community dances. They also receive funding from the NWMAC. They spoke about dancing, Jeanne’s history, what the community dances involve, Jeanne’s past mural painting, etching and printmaking, teaching art, and much more. Check out one of their community dances (once a month — the next one is April 25) and listen to this interesting conversation!
3.4.26 Devra Carlson
Devra Carlson of rural McIntosh, a close friend of one of our featured artists in the Good Vibrations exhibit, spoke about Little Bobby, his impact on the music industry, and how he became a blues musician. Little Bobby hosted a radio show Little Bobby’s Juke Joint that promoted and featured blues music on Pioneer 90.1. He also sponsored a Women of the Blues festival because of their underrepresentation in the genre. Devra provided a glimpse of the human side of Little Bobby, as well. Listen to hear the conversation plus a snippet of Little Bobby’s music.
11.5.25 Megan Maloney
Megan Maloney spoke with Phil about her history in the arts, taking over as the Executive-Artistic Director of Thief River Falls Community Theater, and Jane’s legacy. TRFACT is producing An Evening of Short Comedies Nov 13-15 at the Eagles Club in Thief River. Tickets are available online at TRFACT.org or at the door. Megan shared how they come up with the upcoming shows. The upcoming season will include The Sound of Music (directed by Jane Anderson), for kids ages 2nd-5th grade Frozen Kids, Teresa McGriff will be directing The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, and Something Rotten Jr for teens. Listen to all of the conversation!
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!
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!
6.25.25 Fred Hartmann
First time NW Art Exhibit Entrant Fred Hartmann of Thief River Falls won a merit award for his intricate folk/ fine craft traditional wood working piece called “Country Church.” Fred has also created a number of bird houses — he also entered one in the exhibit called “Wren House.” Fred talked about how he makes these and what he includes in them. He shared that he’d be happy to offer advice on how to build these if someone really wanted to learn. Vision, patience, and good tools are essential according to Fred. He said that you also have to enjoy doing it and be willing to make mistakes. You’ll appreciate listening to this charming conversation!
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!
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!
3.26.25 Samantha Buckley
Thief River Falls native Samantha Buckley is this week’s featured podcast guest. Samantha was active in TRFACT during her time in Thief River. After high school, she attended college and graduated from Mankato State with a BFA. Afterwards, she moved to the Twin Cities and acted in a variety of shows, including being an understudy in a performance at the Minnesota Children’s Theater. Samantha now lives and acts in Chicago. Listen to hear her advice for aspiring performers and about her experiences as an actor, singer, and voice artist.
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!
1.29.25 Dane Froiland
Thief River Falls Public Schools Choir Director Dane Froiland spoke with Phil McKenzie about his teaching career, returning to Thief River to teach, the music that he teaches, his goals for the program, and upcoming concerts. He studied under former teacher Darcy Reese. Listen to learn about Dane and the choral program in Thief River Falls schools.
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!
1.30.24 Andy Hall
Photographer Andy Hall has an exhibit at our gallery at NCTC right now -- Pulled in Many Directions Photography by Andy Hall. Andy spoke about the exhibit, his photography, funding he received from the NWMAC, and Sweetlight Gallery, his shop in Crookston (including pieces he has for sale).