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10.3.23 Chris Trostad
Highland Elementary School Principal Chris Trostad from the Crookston School District spoke about a grant that the school received from the NWMAC for a visual art residency and mural last spring. Artist Trey Everett created a mural outside the Student Success Center at Highland Elementary School that included positive words and phrases to encourage and inspire students to be kind and respectful to others. Trey spent the week designing and painting the mural and teaching students about mural work and creativity. Students were given the opportunity to submit words or phrases that are important to them and that compliment the theme. With the guidance of Everett and classroom teachers, students had a chance to imagine and then create a design of their own calligram mural. Throughout the school week students saw the progress of the mural as well as interacting with Trey. Classrooms gathered around the mural for a question and answer time. As a final wrap up, Trey had a workshop on the step by step process of creating various types of indoor and outdoor murals, how students can create their own murals, and the Three Secret Teachings of Creativity: Process not product, non-judgment, being kind to yourself. The school plans to apply for more grants! Listen to hear all about this project and more!
9.19.23 KayDell Super
KayDell Super spoke about the Middle River Community Theatre -- history, what's new, upcoming shows, including the Goosefest Production of Arsenic and Old Lace, and more. Arsenic and Old Lace will be Sept 19-24 during Goosefest in Middle River. Listen to learn more and get over to Middle River to see the show!
9.12.23 Max La Coursiere
Max LaCoursiere spoke about a grant the Oxbow Foundation received from the NWMAC to sponsor Thief River Falls Artist Christine Foster for a Painting Presentation and Workshop at the 2nd Annual Louisville Days Fall Festival. He also provided details about the event itself on September 23. Registration is strongly encouraged for the art workshop (taking place from 1:30 to 3PM on the 23rd). Find the Oxbow Foundation on Facebook by searching The Oxbow at Old Crossing. Listen for details.
9.5.23 Jerry Amiot Pioneer Day
This week’s guest Jerry Amiot spoke about Pioneer Day. This yearly event will be on September 10 and features live music, blacksmithing demonstrations, history, tours, food, and more! The event is sponsored by the Polk County Historical Society and received funding from the NWMAC. Listen for the schedule and other details.
8.29.23 Darcey Engen
Darcey Engen, Co-Founder of Sod House Theater based in Minneapolis, spoke about the theater company and some upcoming shows in our region. Sod House will be putting on their show TABLE in Crookston on September 21 at the Eagles Club and in Hallock on September 23 at Far North Spirits. The NWMAC provided funding for the Hallock show. Darcey spoke about the theater company, the upcoming shows, the cast, and their work to bring theater all over Minnesota. For more information about the show and for tickets visit their website: www.SodHouseTheater.org.
8.22.23 Virgil Benoit
Listen to Virgil Benoit to hear all about about the upcoming AFRAN Chautauqua and French- Canadian/ Metis Festival. The event will take place on August 26 and 27 at the Old Crossing Treaty Park in Huot. There will be live music, storytelling, and other art activities. It’s a great opportunity to learn history, be entertained, experience art, and have some good food. The NWMAC provided funding for this event. Listen for details!
8.15.23 Shannon Christenson
Kittson Central Kindergarten Teacher Shannon Christenson spoke about Camp Art at Kittson Central School in Hallock. The NWMAC has been providing funding to bring in 3 artists for 4 days in the summer to Kittson Central. Camp Art is for students from Kindergarten through 6th grade. This year Camp Art took place the week of August 7 and included Visual Artist Teresa Cox, who led students into the wonderful world of messy art by making plant sculptures; Karla Nweje, who taught dance that explores the movements of insects; and, Jon Lurie who guided the campers to write about waterways. Listen to hear more!
8.8.23 George French
Crookston resident and Associate Professor George French is featured in this week’s podcast. George teaches music at UMC in Crookston and is a church organist. He provided a follow up about his organ workshops and recitals that have been happening throughout our region. George received a grant from the NWMAC to offer the workshops and recitals. Listen to hear all about the grant and how things have been going!
8.1.23 Patsy Heggen
Stephen resident Patsy Heggen spoke about the Summer Music Series organized by Arts on Fifth that takes place in Stephen. Events are usually held on the lawn at Arts on Fifth (but occasionally inside the building). There is no charge to attend. The Downtown Horns are performing this Thursday, Aug 3 at 7 pm and Robby Vee on September 17 at 2 pm. Listen for details!
7.25.23 Eric Mickelson
Eric Mickelson, a school teacher in Goodridge for 31 years, is the perennial emcee at the Freedom Fest. Eric spoke about the schedule of this year’s Freedom Fest 2023. This is the 7th annual event featuring live music and other artists, including watercolor art, ironwork, hand woodburning, and more. It starts on July 28 and goes through the evening of Saturday, July 29 at the Goodridge Veterans Memorial Park. The NWMAC provided funding for this event. Listen for details and attend this fun event!
7.18.23 Carol Ihle
Thief River Zehlian’s member Carol Ihle spoke about the upcoming Zehlian's Art & Wine Walk on Thursday, July 27 in Thief River Falls from 4 to 8PM and a mural that the Zehlians have been a part of.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Art and Wine Walk. The cost is $20. Pre-register online at EventBrite. Same day registration and check in will be at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls from 4 to 6 pm on the 27th. Artists are located at businesses throughout Thief River Falls. Attendees can view and purchase art and are provided snacks and wine at each business stop. There will be drawings for door prizes afterwards at the Rusty Nail.
Ihle also spoke about a mental health awareness mural that was recently painted on one of the walls of Tonnabell’s building. There is a mural unveiling on Thursday, July 20 downtown Thief River. The NWMAC provided funding for the mural.
7.11.23 Julie Elick
Roseau Artist Julie Elick spoke about two programs in Roseau. 1) The Riverview Park Concert Series is a weekly series into August. Roseau’s weekly summer event, began way back in 2016 and still continues to provide a showcase both for our high quality local talent, and professional entertainment. Elick is a part of the Roseau Women of Today. This group plays a major role in putting this concert series together, along with the support of local businesses.
There is a concert at the Riverview Park Gazebo, located in downtown Roseau, every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm. Attendees need to bring your own chairs. Food provided by various organizations will be served each night.
Upcoming concerts include:
July 13: Sloughgrass, July 27: Divas Through the Decades, August 3: O’Neil Family Band, August 10: Holy Rocka Rollaz, and August 17: The concert series will wrap up with a Local Talent Showcase and the Relay for Life.
2) Project Write On. Select students from two Roseau Community High School English classes, have for the last 4 years, shared their essays to be published in the local newspaper, The Roseau Times Region. Elick and two highschool teachers, Mrs. Kelsey Didrickson, and Mrs. Katie Laugen are directing this project.
This project instills the arts into the Roseau community by providing a weekly place for students in our area to enhance their writing talents. Currently, copies of the published essays are displayed in the Student Art Exhibit at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC.
Both of these projects (Write On and The Riverview Park Concert Series) are funded through a Project Grant from the NWMAC. Listen to hear about these projects.
12.20.22 Julia Brown
Playwrights’ Center Artist Programs Manager and Playwright Julia Brown spoke about what a playwright is, what the Playwrights' Center does and the many resources/programs the center provides. She provided information about upcoming grant/fellowship deadlines, as well. Visit their website to learn more and to apply at pwcenter.org.
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!
11.29.22 Abby Pearson
Fosston resident and FCLAA member Abby Pearson is featured on this week’s podcast. Abby wrote and is directing a show in Fosston on Dec 2, 3, and 4 -- Christmas Through the Eras. It includes Christmas music from the last 100 years. Listen to hear about this show, theater in Fosston, and more! And, make plans to see the show.
11.22.22 Laura Seter
Region 2 Arts Council Director Laura Seter, based out of Bemidji is featured on this podcast. Laura spoke about 2 Anishinaabe Arts Initiatives that Region 2 administers. Roseau County is eligible for these. There is an Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council. Often, residents of our region take advantage of arts events in Region 2.
Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Fellowship for artists who are enrolled tribal members and descendants residing in the following counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, or Roseau (Award amount $5,000)
Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grant for artists who are enrolled tribal members and descendants residing in the following counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, or Roseau (Max. request $1,000). Deadline has been extended to Dec 1.
For more info about these programs and more visit their website at r2arts.org. Listen to the podcast!
11.15.22 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Director Mara Hanel was the podcast guest this week. Mara spoke about the Individual Artist Grant deadline (Nov 15). She explained what defines an artist to be eligible for a grant in our region. She shared that the NWMAC has a Teaching Artist Roster Program (TARP) training starting in January with applications accepted right now through the end of the year. Consider joining this upcoming teaching artist cohort. It’s a helpful training that will allow artists to learn important skills, be added to the TARP roster, and is a venue to earn money teaching your art. Mara also spoke about a Somali art display at NCTC in Thief River Falls, an Art of Addiction Exhibit call for art, and theater events in our region, including a holiday play coming up in Fosston and a TRFACT play in Thief River Falls. Listen for all the details!
11.8.22 Wanda Nelson
Wanda Nelson was the featured podcast guest. Wanda is a children's author from Thief River Falls. She spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about being a writer, children’s books, and her own books that she’s had published up to now. Wanda has applied for a grant from the NWMAC to promote her books and offer book readings. Listen to hear about all this and more!
11.1.22 Tammy Parkin
Tammy Parkin spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about a grant that the Golden Link Senior Center in Crookston received for an artist series, which included Artists Trey Everett (This is what heals me 2D and 3D mixed media), Cindy Kolling (Mini-murals coloring), Elizabeth Rockstad (mosaics), and Connie Hannesson (historic storyteller/performance art). These popular arts workshops were offered free of charge to the Golden Link members, guests, and the community. Listen to hear all about them!
10.25.22 Molly Johnston
Molly Johnston was featured on our podcast this week. Molly is the Rural Program Manager at Springboard for the Arts. She explained what Springboard for the Arts is and what they do. She also gave a general update of Springboard resources/programs they provide for our region, including Artist Career Consultations, workshops, Work of Art (which teaches business skills to artists), and the Rural Connection fund. Springboard for the Arts is an important resource for artists in our region. Listen to the podcast to learn all about Springboard for the Arts!