Podcast Archive
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2.14.23 Mitchell Johnson
Roseau resident and President of the Northern Lights Concert Association Mitchell Johnson is featured on this podcast. Mitchell spoke about the Northern Lights Concert Association and the concerts they have coming up. Check out the schedule, make plans to attend, and listen to learn all about it!
2.7.23 Christine Foster
Thief River Falls Artist Christine Foster spoke with Pioneer 90.1 Ron West for this podcast. Christine is a visual artist and the Art Teacher at Northland Community and Technical College. She and her husband Bert Foster have an exhibit at the NWMAC gallery at NCTC right now -- Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera until March 3. Christine spoke about painting plein air, capturing the landscape of northern Minnesota, how painting light mesmerizes her, teaching art, and receiving grants from the NWMAC. You can view the exhibit virtually at https://youtu.be/n3BEnrQlPBs. Listen to the podcast to learn more!
1.31.23 Bert Foster
Featured this week is Thief River Falls Photographer Bert Foster. Bert and his wife Christine Foster have an exhibit at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC right now -- Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera until March 3. Bert spoke about his photography, his artistic journey, his love of nature, grants he’s received from the NWMAC, and more. You can view the exhibit virtually https://youtu.be/n3BEnrQlPBs. An Artist Reception was held on the 31st at the gallery from 6 to 8pm. Most of the work in the exhibit is for sale. Visit the exhibit and listen to the podcast to learn more about Bert and his work!
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!
1.10.23 Ross Hier
2022 Artist of the Year Ross Hier is featured in this podcast. Ross resides in Crookston and is a retired wildlife biologist, in addition to being a prolific self-taught visual artist. Nature provides Ross with unlimited subject matter and his painted subjects are wide-ranging. Although birds amaze him most of all, he also enjoys painting landscapes, prairie plants, fish, reptiles and hunting and fishing scenes. Ross works in watercolor and pen and ink. Ross’s work has been featured in solo art exhibits with the NWMAC and in our annual exhibits and traveling exhibits. Please note: we are currently accepting nominations for our Of the Year Awards. Consider nominating a deserving artist or arts advocate for an Of the Year Award.
To learn more about nominations visit: northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/blog/nominate-area-artists-or-arts-advocates-for-an-of-the-year-award. Nominations are accepted until February 28.
Listen to the podcast to hear more about Ross and our Of the Year Awards!
6.28.22 Debbie Dahl Aune
Visual Artist Debbie Aune is featured on this week’s podcast. She spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about her artwork in the current exhibit Nature’s Offerings and what inspired her. She also talked about being an art teacher, writing grants, and being an artist. Listen to hear all about it and stop by the exhibit to see the artwork!
6.14.22 Carol Torgerson
Carol Torgerson spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West this week about the upcoming Gully Days Skol! event from June 16-19. They received a grant from the NWMAC for numerous arts activities, including music, fiber arts, and Mince-murals with Artist Cindy Kolling that will happen during Gully Days Skol! This event was planned earlier, but was delayed because of the pandemic. Listen to hear about all that’s happening in Gully and head there to take advantage!
6.7.22 LaVonne Forsberg
LaVonne Forsberg received our prestigious NW Star Award earlier this year. This week she spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West. She is a well known visual artist in our region (especially for her stained glass and watercolor paintings). She also owned an arts store in Thief River Falls — Country Class Arts, where she taught classes and sold art supplies. Forsberg has received awards in past NWMAC art exhibits and other statewide exhibits for her art. You can find her stained-glass at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls (chandeliers), 13 area churches, the local hospital, and her paintings in the Kiehle Building on the campus at the University of Minnesota Crookston. She was commissioned by the state of Minnesota to design and paint the Old Mill State Park entrance permit and collector's mug in 200l.
5.31.22 Tausha & Addison Severts
Tausha Severts and her daughter Addison Severts were featured on this week’s podcast. Tausha has taught at Grygla for 7 years and this year she started teaching art, as well. Addison is a student who enjoys art. She received 1st place and People's Choice for students for her piece "Wave of Money" in the NW Art Exhibit. It will hang in Senator Mark Johnson's office.
5.24.22 Jeanne Cooney
This week’s podcast features Hallock Author Jeanne Cooney. Jeanne’s books are humorous mysteries set in northwestern Minnesota. Her newest book, It’s Murder, Dontcha Know? was recently released. She received a grant from the NWMAC to help her with literary marketing. Jeanne has a busy summer coming up promoting her book. Listen to the engaging conversation!
5.17.22 Kevin Lindsey
Kevin Lindsey, CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center located in St. Paul, spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the Humanities Center. They are trying to reach non-metro arts/humanities individuals and organizations. They also have a grant opportunity currently available that offers grants for cultural heritage and community identity projects.
5.10.22 Philip McKenzie
Musician Phil McKenzie is featured in this week’s podcast. Phil recently received NWMAC’s Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Phil has an impressive background as a professional oboe player and arts advocate, including the director of the Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, an adjunct oboe faculty at UND and NDSU, and hosting a radio show — Northern Classics on Pioneer 90.1 that brings classical music to our region. He’s served on the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater (TRFACT) Board and is currently the Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board. Listen to learn more!
4.26.22 Mara Hanel
Curious what’s going on the NWMAC? Director Mara Hanel talks about the NW Art Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls, the upcoming reception/awards ceremony for the exhibit, Nature’s Offerings art creation workshop, Of the Year awards recipients (Visual Artist Ross Hier Artist of the Year, Musician Phillip McKenzie Arts Advocate, and Visual Artist — painting and stained glass — LaVonne Forsberg NW Star Award), upcoming arts legacy grant deadlines, and Calls for Art (Nature’s Offerings, Day of the Dead) for future exhibits. Listen to hear all about these arts activities!
4.19.2022 Mark Albers
Long-time Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Mark Albers filled Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West in about the mission and activities of MCA. Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is a statewide arts advocacy organization that works to promote arts in Minnesota. They sponsor arts action week and lobby the legislature for arts funding and arts-friendly policies. They also spoke about the impact of Covid and responses to it. Listen to learn more about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts!
4.12.2022 Devon Tucker
Sacred Heart band teacher Devon Tucker and student Charlotte Whiting spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about grants they received from the NWMAC and the drama program at the school. Sacred Heart was able to purchase band instruments and equipment with the grants. During the interview, Devon explained how easy it was to apply for grants and the tremendous impact the purchases have had on the band and the school. Charlotte is president of the drama club. She spoke about the club and the spring performance. Listen to hear more.
4.5.22 Sue Gens
Listen to Executive Director of the Minnesota State Arts Board Sue Gens to learn about the State Arts Board -- who they are, what they do, what they offer, and the effects of and response to Covid on the MSAB, artists and arts organizations.
3.29.2022 Bonnie Stewart
Fosston resident Bonnie Stewart is featured on this week’s podcast. She provided a history and overview of the FCLAA in Fosston. She also talked about FCLAA’s upcoming writing retreat from April 21 - 23. The retreat is taking registrations. The NWMAC has provided funding for the retreat. Residents in our region can apply for a grant to attend the retreat. There are scholarships available, as well. Listen to hear all about the presenters and much more!
3.22.22 Desdamona
Curious what spoken word actually is? This podcast is for you! Desdamona, a spoken word artist, is this week’s featured artist podcast. She and Ron West talked about what spoken word is. It’s a form of expression, sometimes in the storytelling realm. Examples include hip hop, poetry, slam poetry, speeches, and much more. Desdamona will be a residency artist at the Roseau High School later this month with funding from the NWMAC.
3.15.22 Mary Balstad
Mary Balstad, originally from Fosston, is this week’s featured podcast. Mary received a grant from the NWMAC to create a short film — The Pear. She spoke with Ron West about her inspiration, the catalyst, applying for a grant from the NWMAC, and putting a film together. Mary’s credits on the film include directing, producing, writing, and voice over. The Pear is a 2 minute film that is being shown at the Fargo Film Festival in a 2 minute movie competition. Listen to the conversation to hear the whole story.
3.8.22 Kate Hammer
Kate Hammer of Roseau is featured on this week’s podcast. Kate is a potter and the owner of Pretty Dirt Pottery. Kate has received grants from the NWMAC. Her most recent grant was for 1) a portable slab roller to allow her to do public demonstrations and teach at different locations in the community; 2) Pottery forms for handbuilding made of wood and used to produce platters and plates; 3) Tools and supplies to allow for a greater audience, back to back classes, and replacements. She also purchased materials, clay, stains and glazes. Listen to hear about her process, inspiration, the 56751 series, and classes that she’s teaching.