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3.5.25 Kat Allen
Warroad Artist Kat Allen spoke about working on the NWMAC Artists of NW Minnesota booklet as the graphic designer. Kat is a children’s author and visual artist, as well as a graphic designer. This resource is available on the NWMAC website here and in hard copy throughout the region (at libraries and other spots). The booklet highlights regional artists, arts businesses, and organizations that serve artists or offer arts programming. Each listing includes a photo of the artist and what they create or offer. The booklet also lists performing artists like musicians and bands. Kat also spoke about her books and one that will be published soon. Listen to the conversation to learn more!
2.26.25 Leslie LeCuyer Part 2
This week’s podcast continues the conversation with Leslie LeCuyer, Executive Director of Central Minnesota’s Art Council. Leslie spoke about projects that the Central Minnesota Arts Board provided funding for and the impacts of those projects. She also spoke about legislators and how important their support for the arts is. (hence the importance of Arts Advocacy Day) Leslie explained that art can build community and develop relationships. “The arts allow us to escape and address our emotions… The arts are an essential need.” Arts Advocacy is March 4 and you can see Leslie there. Listen to hear all the details of the conversation.
2.19.25 Leslie LeCuyer
Central Minnesota Regional Arts Director Leslie LeCuyer spoke with Phil this week. Leslie has a long history in the arts in Minnesota. She has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, as a county board member, on the board of the Perpich Center for the Arts, and she’s a visual artist. Leslie spoke about her background, the importance of Arts Advocacy Day, the Legacy Amendment, and more. Listen to Part 1 of 2 of this 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!
2.5.25 Beau Bakken
Hallock Artist Beau Bakken spoke about his art, the background of and his work in the current exhibit Around the Farm, his artistic influences, painting murals, and more. He continues to think about what his high school art teacher Kay Rosengren told him,“Paint what you see and not what you think you see.” He is the featured artist in the current NWMAC Gallery exhibit Around the Farm. Listen to hear 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.
1.22.25 Sarah Fossen
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) Executive Director Sarah Fossen spoke with Phil McKenzie this week. MCA recently turned 50 years old. Sarah shared information about what MCA is and what they do, arts funding including the Legacy Amendment, Creative Minnesota, the research they do, MCA’s PAC, the benefits of the arts, her own arts background, and the upcoming Arts Advocacy Day on March 4 (register at artsmn.org). Listen for all the details!
1.15.25 Christina Woods (part 2)
Christina Woods, Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute, continued her conversation with Phil McKenzie. They spoke of her roles serving on the State of Minnesota CAAPB Task force on Monuments and Statues and on the State of Minnesota Capitol Arts Exhibitions Committee, bringing her unique viewpoint and background, and more. Woods also serves on the Minnesota Arts Board. Listen to hear part 2 of the conversation.
1.8.25 Christina Woods
Christina Woods, Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute, spoke about being the first Anishinaabe leader of the Duluth Art Institute, the organization, and her focus on decolonization. Christina serves on the Minnesota Arts Board, as well as a number of other arts boards. Listen to hear part 1 of her conversation with Phil McKenzie!
12.18.24 Sue Gens
Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens explained the arts systems in Minnesota, specifically the state Arts Board, the regional arts councils, funding for artists, and much more. Sue shares her extensive knowledge about grant programs, resources, opportunities, and how best to utilize the system. Listen to the podcast for details!
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.
12.4.24 John Davis
Warroad RiverPlace Executive Director John Davis spoke with Phil McKenzie about his arts background and the new Warroad arts facility RiverPlace. The space is a multi-purpose facility with an arts classroom, gallery, theater, events center, video wall, exhibit space, and more. Visit warroadriverplace.org to see the schedule of events. Listen to hear all about it!
11.27.24 Anne Johnson
Perpich Arts High School Admissions Director Anne Johnson spoke about the creation of the Perpich Center for the Arts, the resources they offer, the school itself, and admissions (everyone is eligible to apply; the application deadline is Feb 1). The school focuses on arts including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater and musical theater, and visual art. Students are taught to think creatively. Visit their website at perpich.gov. Listen to learn more about this resource in our state!
11.20.24 Angelina Korb
Roseau native Angelina Korb painted a mural wall in Roseau. She spoke with Phil about the process of creating the mural, her background and arts interests, and more. Listen to hear the details.
11.13.24 Jessica Schumacher
Jessica Schumacher is the Executive Director of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra. She spoke with Phil McKenzie about the orchestra, the music they play, their philosophy, their conductor, schedule and more!
The orchestra has an upcoming concert in East Grand Forks on December 15 at 2:30 pm at the East Grand Forks Performing Arts Center at the high school. The Northern Valley Youth Orchestra will join them. Listen for all the details!
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.
3.19.24 Cindy Adams
Museum Director Cindy Adams spoke about the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson, upcoming and past arts events, grants they've received from the NWMAC, a very cool fashion exhibit on the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, and being the host of the NWMAC’s annual NW Art Exhibit this spring. The NW Art Exhibit will include over 70 adult entries and over 40 student entries ranging from oil, acrylic, watercolor painting, pencil drawings, pen and ink, pottery, sculpture, fiber art, glass mosaic, and mixed media. The exhibit opens on March 27 (and runs until April 21) and is a great way to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The awards ceremony honoring exhibit winners and Of the Year awardees (Potter Betsy Saurdiff, Musician Randy Larson, and Radio Host Rom Ogaard) will be Sunday, April 21. The exhibit will open at noon that day, the reception begins at 2 PM, and the awards will begin at 3 PM. All are welcome. Listen to hear 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!)
5.9.22 Cathy Erickson
Cathy Erickson of Middle River recently received the Northwest Star Award. The award was presented to Erickson on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center during the NW Art Exhibit Awards Reception and Program. She spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the award, her musical background, and more!
Erickson is a well-known musician and radio show host in the area. She has been entertaining professionally in northwestern Minnesota and beyond, playing music for almost 50 years. Cathy plays the accordion, piano, organ, guitar, and vocals. She also hosts her own radio show Cathy’s Variety Show on Pioneer 90.1 FM. The live variety show consists of polkas, waltzes, classic country, bluegrass, gospel, and local artists. Additionally, she hosts two other live weekly radio shows – Country Church and Live from the Farm.
The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star 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 podcast for an interesting conversation about Cathy!