Artist Spotlight

Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling joined Saxophonist Maury Finney for a live discussion on April 9. The discussion was live on the NWMAC Facebook and YouTube pages. Listen/watch at https://www.youtube.com/live/qrmF5bUZYWA?si=dU1V4wXXlIa5GyW3. Maury shared stories of his music background and experiences in Nashville and on the charts. He also gave advice to aspiring musicians.

This well-known music artist is originally from rural Kittson County Minnesota. He is featured in our Good Vibrations exhibit.

Maury Finney grew up with music dominating his family’s focus. Dorothy, his mom, was a talented piano player and had been raised in a family of musicians herself. His dad George was a saxophone player and Maury followed in his footsteps. Maury started playing the sax at a young age with guidance from his dad. In his teens, he was hired by a local band leader to fill in for the regular sax player who was forced to take time off to have his teeth fixed. When the sax player returned, Maury remained in the band, gaining invaluable experience by playing alongside seasoned musicians. Those early gigs proved life changing as he developed his talent in ways that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.

With his brother Allen, Maury formed a rock and roll band called The Charms. The band recorded a record and developed a large following, playing venues throughout the local area. In addition to his music career, Maury and his wife Faith owned Maury's Tv and appliance business in East Grand Forks and later opened a recording studio.

In 1976 Maury recorded the song “Maidens Prayer” for Soundwaves Record Co. of Nashville, which began his country music career with nationwide success. Between 1976 and 1977, he charted the most instrumental songs of any country music artist. In 1977 and 1978, Maury was named “Top New Instrumentalist” by the three leading music reporting magazines -- Billboard Music Week, Record World, and Cashbox magazine. He charted twelve times on the Billboard country singles charts. Later, he organized a 7 piece band called Reedsong Music Company, which included family members. Maury was inducted into Minnesota’s Rock Country Hall of Fame in 2007.

Not long ago he was introduced to Little Bobby Houle and they performed together. Maury shared, “it was a magical time when I became Little Bobby’s saxman at several of Bobby’s shows at casinos, Bluesfests, and many city celebrations. It was a blast playing with such a professional and talented songwriter, guitarist, and great Blues singer. Little Bobby’s passing has left a hole in my music life.” Maury continues to perform in the northwest Minnesota area and sometimes in Florida, with blues bands, on his own, and when other opportunities arise and he still thoroughly enjoys it.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT with Sarah Pester on March 23 at 11 AM

NWMAC Staff Members Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling joined Crookston Artist Sarah Pester for a live discussion on March 23 at 11 AM. The discussion was live on the NWMAC Facebook and YouTube pages. Listen/watch at https://youtube.com/live/J_P7N0jzIJg or https://streamyard.com/mc3uuxfbpxyr.

Sarah's exhibit Stardust & Soul: "it's in everything" is at the Historic Fournet Building, 101 N Broadway, Downtown Crookston, 2nd Floor in the Atrium. We discussed the exhibit, Sarah's background, her philosophy, her paintings, yoga, and much more!

This exhibit includes 41 original pieces of art in oil, watercolor, and mixed media, many of which are for sale. Sarah shared, “I really love how this collection captures the thread running through everything. Earth, space, and us -- all of it being more connected than we usually realize. I hope these pieces remind people that we aren't just out here on our own but a part of the whole and connected to everything.”

Sarah Faith Pester is an artist and yoga teacher from Crookston. Her work is an expression of her inner world and her connection to something beyond the physical. When she paints, she's exploring the unseen energies and emotions that guide us. Sarah mainly uses oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints to create vibrant pieces, and she also finds joy in crafting crystal-beaded bracelets.

As a yoga teacher and energy practitioner, Sarah's artistic and healing practices are deeply connected. The sense of flow and connection she finds in her work is a direct reflection of the healing and spiritual exploration she shares with others through her business Burnham Creek Healing. Through her paintings, bracelets, yoga, and healing practices she shares a piece of her spiritual journey, inviting others to explore their own inner worlds and find their own sense of peace and connection.

Sarah explained that her paintings “invite viewers on a journey beyond the visible, exploring the profound interconnectedness that binds all living things. Each canvas is a vibrant testament to the idea that beneath the surface of our physical reality is an intricate web of energy that connects every living thing from the smallest earthly creatures to the grandness of the universe. Through layers of oil or acrylic, I dive into spiritual dimensions, suggesting that our individual forms are merely temporary vessels for an eternal soul and spirit, mirroring the universe's own boundless energy. My artistic process is one of meditative exploration, where I aim to visualize the unseen forces that unite us. I get lost in blending celestial space clouds, allowing colors to flow and merge, nebulae forming new stars, with delicate intricate details. Everything is purposeful as I feel we are. "Stardust and Soul" seeks to awaken an awareness of the deeper spiritual currents that flow through us and around us, encouraging reflection on our shared origins in energy,y the essence of who we truly are.”

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/tzfxVHhhgDM or find it on our website under the exhibits tab at the top of the homepage.

NWMAC Staff Members Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling joined Artist Kat Allen for a live discussion recently. Kat is a visual artist, author, and graphic designer from Warroad and is originally from Stephen. Kat designed our recent Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. She is also currently exhibiting work in our Artists of NW Minnesota Exhibit at our gallery at NCTC at 1101 State Hwy 1, Thief River Falls. The exhibit is open through November 21. We spoke about Kat’s art, her inspiration, background, and more! Watch the discussion at https://streamyard.com/yyxdut2jkm6u

An Artist Reception was held Thursday, November 6 from 6 to 8:30 PM. This exhibit includes work by 19 artists from our region who have a listing in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. There are approximately 106 pieces of artwork in this exhibit, many of which are for sale, including charcoal, photography, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting, pen and ink, pastel, collage, mixed media, pottery, glass work, jewelry, sculpture, books and written material, and mosaics.

Please join NWMAC Staff Members Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling in a live discussion with Samantha Thibert Harrill. Watch the discussion at https://www.youtube.com/live/adNW0BAHZPM?si=nIWijlLQnDXejTJQ

Samantha is a potter from Warroad and is originally from Red Lake Falls. She was recently hired as the Executive Director of Warroad RiverPlace. We spoke with Samantha about her art and Warroad’s RiverPlace.

Samantha is currently exhibiting work in our Artists of NW Minnesota Exhibit at our gallery at NCTC at 1101 State Hwy 1, Thief River Falls. The exhibit is open until November 21.

Meet Samantha at the Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6 from 6 to 8:30 PM at the gallery.

This exhibit includes work by 19 artists from our region who have a listing in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. There are approximately 106 pieces of artwork in this exhibit, many of which are for sale, including charcoal, photography, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting, pen and ink, pastel, collage, mixed media, pottery, glass work, jewelry, sculpture, books and written material, and mosaics.

Join NWMAC Staff Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling in a live discussion with Artist Therese Masters Jacobson. We spoke about Therese's art, her current exhibit, her background, philosophy, and inspiration, and much more! The discussion was live. You can watch the recording at https://www.youtube.com/live/-3oQp8Cfy_g?si=_VjQlM_xmpybD9u6 or at our YouTube page.

Drawn from Observation, An Exhibit featuring Art by Therese Masters Jacobson, is open through Mid-December at the Historic Fournet Building, 101 N Broadway, Downtown Crookston, on the 2nd Floor in the Atrium.

This exhibit includes 29 pieces of art in pen and ink, acrylic, and colored pencil created by Visual Artist Therese Masters Jacobson of Alvarado.

Jacobson explained, “All my artwork begins with observing life: the vegetable and flower gardens we grow, wildlife in our world, my family, children and grandchildren. Subjects vary widely as everything I see around me always has interesting shapes, lines, textures, forms, contrasts, or colors which I imagine drawing or composing. This exhibit features a few of my observations in a variety of mediums drawn first in my mind, then composed on paper or canvas.”

Therese Masters Jacobson has always loved colors. While she studied with professionals at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art and Bemidji State University, she became a self-trained artist through exploration. She is a visual artist who uses standard media, including acrylics, watercolor, pen and ink, and colored pencils, but she says that “no medium is off the table.” She has created portraits by snipping construction paper, and by making collages with torn magazine. Most recently she has been re-purposing sticky address labels to create portraits.

Parking and admission is free. Some pieces are for sale. Take the stairs or elevator to the second floor where the gallery is located in the atrium. Open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/rXEBWfAczs8 or find it on our website under the exhibits tab at the top of the homepage.

Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotllight or the exhibit.

Therese is also featured in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet and has work in our Artists of NW Minnesota Exhibit at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College. There will be an Artist Reception on Thursday, Nov 6 from 6 to 8:30 PM at the gallery. The Artists of NW Minnesota exhibit includes work by 19 artists from our region who have a listing in our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. There are approximately 106 pieces of artwork in this exhibit, many of which are for sale, including charcoal, photography, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting, pen and ink, pastel, collage, mixed media, pottery, glass work, jewelry, sculpture, books and written material, and mosaics.

An Artist Spotlight with Karlstad Artist Alicia Spilde was held on Thursday, August 7 at 11:30 AM.

NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with Karlstad Artist Alicia Spilde on Thursday, August 7 at 11:30 AM. We discussed Spilde and her art. She has been a frequent entrant in the NW Art exhibits and currently has a piece in the Traveling Art Exhibit and the Welcome to the Whimsical Exhibit. The conversation was live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. Watch the discussion at https://youtube.com/live/Fn0oj2WasPc

Artist Spotlight with Jill Levene July 28 at 10 am

Listen to NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett in a conversation with Red River Valley Artist and Printmaker Jill Levene. Levene’s work is featured in our exhibit Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S Leven” at the Historic Fournet Building Downtown Crookston, 101 N Broadway. We talked about her art, the exhibit, her inspiration, artistic practice, and much more! The exhibit is open until August 5 on the 2nd floor Atrium. The conversation was live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. You can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/live/8O-ymys7s8o?si=1Kgw_nbZ10o3XBZU

NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with Photographer Monika Lawrence on Wednesday, June 11 at 9 AM. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. Watch the conversation at https://www.youtube.com/live/AqjlnFYt9Yg?si=guyIC1yAMru6nora

Lawrence created our exhibit Heritage Through Image, a photography exhibit at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls. The conversation included the exhibit, Monika’s inspiration, body of work, those who she featured in the exhibit, and much more!

The exhibit Heritage Through Image is open into July. This exhibit includes 22 images that depict traditional practices, customs and folklore that serves a visual representation of regional heritage. Photographer Monika Lawrence, formerly of Bemidji now living in Germany, was commissioned to capture the images that feature individuals practicing the heritage, art, culture, and talents of our region.

This exhibit will be a stop on the Art & Wine Walk in Thief River Falls on July 10 from 4 to 8 PM. You can purchase a ticket or find out more information about the Art & Wine Walk at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trf-zehlians-art-wine-walk-2025-tickets-1259732075549?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. (This exhibit itself is free to enter).Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.

NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with Hallock Artist Beau Bakken on Friday, March 8 at 1 PM. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. The recording is available here or https://streamyard.com/amvj6cujmaay.

Bakken is the featured artist in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — Around the Farm. The conversation included the exhibit, Beau’s inspiration, body of work, commissions, his murals, and much more!

The exhibit Around the Farm is open until April 25 at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This exhibit includes 27 pieces of art created by 15 artists in acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, photography, ceramic, and mixed media. Beau Bakken, the featured artist, has twelve 2' X 3' acrylic on canvas paintings of tractors, elevators, trucks and farmers from NW Minnesota. Many of the pieces are for sale.

Beau Bakken of Hallock explained, “Ten years ago or so I was working on a farm and found visual inspiration from my boss’s farm trucks. They were decades old, rusty, and full of battle scars. But at the turn of a key, their engines fired and were ready for the day’s work. I filed away in the back of my brain to paint a picture of at least one of these modern workhorses. I’m good for packing away more ideas than I ever have time to put into reality, so this inspiration sat dormant for almost a decade. But over the last year or two, I’ve finally leaned into painting pictures of trucks, tractors, and machinery and quite enjoyed it. Most have been painted from personal photos but also from generous photograph lenders. I never took a photo of the 1960-something green Ford truck that first inspired me, but a photo recently was given to me of my former boss pouring grain out of the old Ford’s back gate. The painting titled, “Ron and the Ford” was a meaningful capstone for me and this farm art project in many ways. Ron Petersen, now with Jesus, was a great boss, farmer, and man of God.  If I continue painting farm related pictures, I hope to find more ways to depict farmers along with their machinery.”

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/NoQwejK5jmI

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Summer hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.

Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.

NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with artist Shawna Grapentine on Tuesday, November 6. The conversation took place live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the recording is available here or https://streamyard.com/i9dtngjp6baj.

Shawna Grapentine along with artists Joan Kauppi, Candace Same, and Therese Masters Jacobson are featured in the current NWMAC Gallery Exhibit at NCTC in Thief River Falls — Immersed in Color, Inspired by Culutre. The conversation touched on the exhibit, her process and inspiration, her art, what she offers, classes that she teaches, and much more!

You can reach Shawna or find out more information on her website moonandbackcustomarts.com. You can also meet her at the Artist Reception on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Gallery.

The exhibit is open through November 21 at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. This colorful exhibit features 29 pieces of art in acrylic, watercolor, beading, collage, and an award-winning hockey stick design.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 -5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please check to make sure the college is open before making a special trip to see the exhibit. Summer hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery.

Please let us know if you have questions about the Artist Spotlight.