Podcast Archive
Search our podcast archive:
Access our archive of podcasts by year:
4.16.25 Glen Henry
Our featured guest this week was Glen Henry, the juror of our NW Art Exhibit in Crookston this year. The exhibit features 128 pieces of art by student and adult artists residing in a seven-county region including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau and Red Lake. The winners will be recognized at the Northwest Minnesota Artist Reception in Crookston on April 27.
Glen Henry is a versatile and accomplished Indigenous artist whose creative journey spans a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, and graphic design. He is the Director of Exhibitions at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
He received his BA and MFA from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Throughout his career, Glen has built a distinctive artistic voice, blending traditional techniques with modern digital approaches. His artwork often explores themes of identity, culture, and the complex intersections of the past and present, while using bold, expressive color palettes and innovative design methods. As an Indigenous artist, he incorporates aspects of his culture into his work, allowing for a unique narrative that resonates with both personal and universal experiences.
Glen spoke about what he looks for when he jurors an exhibition, including subject matter, potential, original thought, style, creativity, and skill level. He noticed that this exhibit included a lot of plein air imagery, landscapes, the outdoors, forestry, and animal life. which makes sense given our location. He reads the inspiration for or interpretation of the piece as he judges.
When asked what advice he would give to artists who are considering submitting their work for exhibits, he said “Be confident that you will be finished in time. Be courageous and have perseverance. It takes courage to show your work.”
Currently, MSUM has a BFA exhibition up at the Diederich Art Gallery. Glen spoke about the art program at the school and upcoming exhibits.
The NW Art Exhibit is open until Sunday, April 27.
4.9.25 Trey Everett and Ross Hier
Crookston Artists Trey Everett and Ross Hier spoke about their background and road to becoming artists. Last summer they painted a mural together in East Grand Forks that featured over 30 species of fish. Trey has also painted a number of murals elsewhere, including some at the Golden Link Senior Center. There’s one in Crookston on the Ace Hardware exterior wall that Ross helped him with. They will be painting a mural in Fosston together this summer.
Trey also spoke about being the Showcase Specialist for the Arts Council and NWMAC exhibits, including the NW Art Exhibit in Crookston at the University of Minnesota and Welcome the Whimsical (there is a call for art right now for 3rd grade on up through adult).
4.2.25 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke about many current opportunities and activities related to the arts in our region. This include upcoming grant deadlines (for organizations and individuals), the annual NW Art Exhibit at UMC open right now until April 27, Of the Year awards (NW Star Award Darcy Reese of Thief River Falls, Artist of the Year Loreen Hanson of Thief River Falls, and Arts Advocate of the Year Rena Zapata Bouchard of Crookston), the Awards Reception and Program on Sunday, April 27, and Welcome the Whimsical Exhibit Call for Art. Listen for all the details!
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.
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.
3.12.25 Brayden Drevlow
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. They spoke about some of Brayden’s upcoming concerts — March 15 and 16 with the Bismark Symphony and one in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Besides being a world traveler, Brayden is a talented pianist. He attended Concordia for piano performance. He’s performed quite a bit internationally, including Siberia and Africa. He shared the challenges of practicing his instrument when he travels. Listen to hear the first part of their conversation.
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!
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!
4.9.24 Pat Danielson
Grand Forks Artist Pat Danielson was the juror of our annual NW Art Exhibit this year in Lake Bronson. Pat viewed each piece several times and looked at it carefully. She said, “while technique is important, I looked for art that surprised with its original idea, showed clear intention, was well executed and presented, and especially that drew me back to learn more about it.”
“This exhibit showed a wide variety of media—paintings, ceramics, fiber arts, sculpture, photography, fused glass, mosaic, assemblages, digital art—in many sizes and many shapes! Some of the treasures offered were small works and made no less impact than large ones.”
As an artist, Pat has worked in water media, ink, pastel, pencil, oils, photography, clay, and fibers. She is a member of the River Forks Watercolor Society and of Arts for Vets. She sees “art as a natural community builder. Art invites participation not only for those who wish to try it as a means of expression or for fun, but also for the many community members who enjoy viewing all the different forms of art and supporting their family and friends who create it! We need to celebrate both as individuals and as a community. “
Thanks, Pat for jurying our exhibit!
The exhibit is open until April 21. On the 21st it opens at noon. The reception starts at 2 PM and the awards program at 3PM.
4.2.24 Randy Larson
Randy Larson lives in Gatzke and is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Music. This award will be presented on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum.
Larson is a talented musician who sings and plays bass guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and lead guitar. He also writes music. Randy was 17 when he and a quartet from high school began The Back Behind the Barn Boys. The Barn Boys, their abridged title, added drums, piano, and guitar after a year. The Barn Boys hit the road full time touring 23 states and 3 provinces. With one 45 record, 2 albums and a CD, Randy and the band played with or fronted many national acts including, Alabama, Gatlin Brothers, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio, Charlie Daniels, Kentucky Headhunters, Restless Heart, Reba McEntire, Southern Pacific, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Marshall Tucker, and Nitty Gritty Dirt band.
Randy and the Barn Boys represented Minnesota at the Wrangler Star Search competition in Nashville, Tennessee performing at The Grand Ole Opry. The song “Come on Sunday Morning," written by The Barn Boys, reached #88 on Billboard, #68 on Cashbox, and #2 on the National Indie Charts and stayed on the charts for 8 weeks. The band played at We Fest in Detroit Lakes numerous times.
Randy has played in other bands, as well. He currently performs with Eagle Creek (with his sons and others).
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 learn more and hear some Back Behind the Barn Boys music!
3.26.24 Betsy Saurdiff
Grygla Artist Betsy Saurdiff is receiving the NW Star Award this year. This is a lifetime achievement award. Congrats, Betsy!
She's a retired visual arts (and German) teacher in the Grygla and Goodridge School districts. Betsy taught many art mediums, but preferred pottery.
Betsy is a well-known potter in our region and sells her work out of her studio and at art shows. In 2018 she was the Arts Advocate of the Year.
She's had her own solo show in our gallery and is a regular entrant and award winner in our annual NW Art Exhibit. She's also received grants from the NWMAC for equipment and trainings. Betsy will receive the award on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson. The public is invited to join the celebration.
Listen to hear more, including making pottery, getting grants, and arts council support!
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!