Podcast Archive
Search our podcast archive:
Access our archive of podcasts by year:
8.23.22 Virgil Benoit
Virgil Benoit spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about AFRAN’s Chautauqua and French Canadian/Metis Festival and the many arts activities (including storytelling, dance, and music) that will be happening on August 26-28 at the Old Crossing and Treaty Park near Huot. They received a grant from the NWMAC for the festival. Listen to learn the details!
8.16.22 Heidi Danos
Fosston Artist Heidi Danos is featured on this week’s podcast. A number of pieces of her art are included in NWMAC’s Dynamic Voices exhibit at NCTC. These artworks depict the female figure and were created with watercolor, acrylic, oil, and other mediums. The exhibit is open until September 28. In addition, Heidi has a piece of art in the Traveling Art Exhibit. Finally, Heidi is also organizing an art sale, featuring numerous artists, on behalf of the Arts & Culture Commission in Fosston for September 9 (2-5:30 pm) -10th (9am-3pm). Heritage Days and Forged in Fosston will also be happening. Stop by the Dynamic Voices Exhibit and visit Fosston on September 9 and 10! Listen for details!
8.2.22 Carol Ihle
Carol Ihle of Thief River Falls filled Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West in about the Zehlian's Art and Wine Walk in TRF. The 5th Annual Art and Wine Walk is Thursday, August 4 from 4 - 8 pm and includes 28 businesses with at least as many artists. The Zehlians is part of the national organization GFWC and they raise funds for projects in the community. Register early at Eventbrite.com at a reduced cost — here’s the link or same day registration is at the Carnegie Library. Listen to hear about the event!
7.19.22 Paige Shannon
This week’s podcast featured Singer-Songwriter Paige Shannon. Shannon performed downtown Hallock on Friday, July 22 as part of a summer music series. Hallock received a grant from the NWMAC for this series that includes the Wood Picks (they performed in June) and the Downtown Horns (they'll be performing August 26). Earlier this spring Shannon filmed a music video for one of her singles in Hallock and a number of residents participated. Listen to the interview to learn more and to hear some of the music.
7.12.22 Jason Rominski
Jason Rominiski, a Director at the Marshall County Fair, talked about the fair and the arts events at the free stage. The fair will be July 20-24. There will be lots of live music from locals including the Jensen Sisters, Cathy Erickson and her daughter Mary Jo, 4 Wheel Drive Band, the 60s Chicks, and Erik Finney and the Pickers. The NWMAC has provided grant funding for some of these events. Listen to hear about the fair in Warren!
7.5.22 Rena Bouchard
Rena Bouchard is this week’s featured podcast guest. Rena spoke with Host Ron West about InProgress and their Fresh Voice's Digital Storytelling Project, which they received a grant for from the NWMAC. Rena also recently joined our board.
In Progress’s purpose is to diversify cultural dialogue and pave the way for new voices in the field of digital art making. In Progress provides opportunities for artists of all ages to develop their skills as digital storytellers and leaders through the use of photography, video, and music. This small non-profit has been promoting the voices of new and emerging artists since its inception in 1996, breaking down barriers of geography, class, education, and culture in the process. They use digital art making as a tool for public discourse, while building the skills of new and developing makers so they may create, teach and lead.
One aspect of the Digital Storytelling Project is Digital Kids, an introductory workshop to the art of digital storytelling dedicated to children age 12 and under and supporting family members. Participants work in family units to write a story that they then illustrate using cameras, audio equipment and iMovie editing software. This is an introductory level workshop designed to introduce basic storytelling concepts that is centered within the values of the families participating. Listen to learn more!
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.