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Northwest Minnesota Arts Council News

The Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities

Exhibits, Grants, Announcements, Events, Trainings, Workshops, & More!

June 27 Student Art Exhibit Reception
July 17 Grant Writing Training Session
July 20 Art and Spirituality Exhibit Entries Due
July 31 Arts Grants Deadline

Learn more about these programs, services, and events in this newsletter!

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces a

Student Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork from NW Minnesota

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

NCTC in Thief River Falls through July 26, 2023

Artist Reception Tuesday, June 27 6 to 8PM

We are pleased to announce the opening of a Student Art Exhibit, featuring K-12 artwork from throughout Northwest Minnesota. This exhibit is open through July 26 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

The exhibit features 105 pieces of art by area students throughout northwest Minnesota, including the schools of Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kittson Central in Hallock, Ada-Borup West, Fosston, Tri-County in Karlstad, and Roseau.

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/UQX4C4upQqg.

Artwork in the gallery divided up into four sections:

Mask Making Tri-County High School and Fifth Grade, Karlstad / Mask Making Residency with Artist Lisa Arnold / Photos of mixed media masks.

Write On Roseau Community School District, Roseau / Essays for the Roseau Times-Region Newspaper from Roseau Community School District Students, 2023 / Newspaper essays

Art Inspired By Art

1) High School. This artwork was inspired by famed, as well as

obscure art pieces. Students drew inspiration from Vincent Van

Gogh’s Starry Night, MARINA’s song “Are you Satisfied?”,

Michael Angelo’s The Creation of Adam, and urban legend

Polybius and a song by Lemon Demon.

2) Kindergarten. Students at Kittson Central in Hallock created

pigeons as a directed drawing of the character from Mo Willems’

books (For example, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus).

Student art chosen by art teachers. This artwork is from Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fosston, Ada-Borup-West, and Warren Alvarado-Oslo. It features pen and ink, pencil, acrylic on canvas, mixed media, pottery, glass casting jewelry, Styrofoam prints, woodblock prints, watercolor pencils, watercolor, chalk, linoleum block print, oil pastels, aluminum metal embossing, and digital artwork.

An artist reception at the gallery will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8PM in conjunction with the 101 Dalmatians play at Northland Community and Technical College. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. Children’s author Wanda Nelson will be signing her books during the reception.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. During the summer, the college may be closed on Friday afternoons so please confirm before making a special trip. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

Learn More About This Exhibit

Some services we now offer in our office space!

Need an images of your art?

We can help!

Do you need a headshot?

Or images of you performing your art?

Take advantage of the photography room.

Arts Grants Applications have Upcoming Deadline for Organizations

Deadline is July 31

Grant Writing Training Session is July 17 at 10 AM

Applications are open for arts grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.

Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Grants deadlines for these are July 31, October 31, and February 29. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.

Organizational arts activities funded through this very important grant opportunity includes festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.

We are offering a grant writing training session on July 17 at 10 AM. You must RSVP to attend. This can be virtual or in person. We can assist you in writing your application!

To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.

Let's Talk Art is our weekly radio interview and podcast with Pioneer 90.1's Ron West.

Let's Talk Art Podcast

Do you listen to our weekly podcast? If not, you are missing out! We feature artists, arts organizations, and arts events in our region. The podcast begins as a radio interview on Pioneer 90.1 radio. The interviews air on Tuesdays at 3:05pm. Then, we put the interviews on our website so you can listen to them at any time. It's a simple and entertaining way to learn about all the arts happenings in our region and even about some statewide arts organizations and efforts.

Some of the recent podcasts include:

6.6.23 Shirley Iverson Shirley Iverson is the owner of Sistas Corner located downtown Crookston. Shirley spoke about upcoming classes (or some former ones, too), what they offer, local art for sale, their search for artists to teach workshops and sell their art, and more. They will even ship art. Listen here.

5.30.23 Debbie Dahl Aune.Debbie is this year's Artist of the Year. She spoke about the award, her art, being an art teacher, receiving other awards and grants from the Arts Council, and much more! Aune is a frequent exhibitor in NW art exhibits. 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. 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 here.

5.23.23 Bonnie Stewart Bonnie Stewart of Fosston is this year's Arts Advocate of the Year. Bonnie discussed the award and her work advocating the arts. Stewart is a long-time champion of the the arts in Fosston. She also provided an overview of arts activities in the Fosston area happening this summer. "Art is life is my mantra." Listen here.

5.16.23 Andrea Halvorson & Carter Lee Johnsrud Andrea Halvorson and Carter Lee Johnsrud spoke about their art and winning awards at the NW Art Exhibit. Andrea is the art teacher at the Goodridge School. Andrea’s art pieces in the exhibit were“Watching Sunset” and a drawing “Carrying Mom to Heaven.” She won a merit award for “Carrying Mom to Heaven.” Carter is Andrea’s student. She won first place and People's Choice for her art “Masking.” She had another mixed media piece in the exhibit “Hidden Beauty.” Listen here.

5.29.23 Cathy Erickson Cathy Erickson of Middle River recently received the Northwest Star Award. She spoke about the award, her musical background, and more! Erickson is a well-known musician and radio show host in the area. She has been entertaining professionally in northwestern Minnesota and beyond, playing music for almost 50 years. Cathy plays the accordion, piano, organ, guitar, and vocals. She also hosts her own radio show Cathy’s Variety Show on Pioneer 90.1 FM. The live variety show consists of polkas, waltzes, classic country, bluegrass, gospel, and local artists. Additionally, she hosts two other live weekly radio shows – Country Church and Live from the Farm. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award. Listen here.

Traveling Art Exhibit Visiting Area Libraries

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This year the exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit has begun its tour through NW Minnesota communities in Thief River Falls at the library. It will be here through July 10.

The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:

Adults

Ross Hier, Crookston, Watercolor
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, Wood Bowl
Nancy Vraa, RLF, Hat and Mitten Set
Lillian Ramsey, TRF, Acrylic Painting
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, Acrylic Paint
Jodi M Smith, EGF, Photography
Dennis Lee, RLF, Acrylic Painting

Students:

Madilyn Crompton, Borup, Digital Photo, Ada-Borup-West
Makaela Longoria, Ada, Ceramic Sculpture, Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, Acrylic Painting, Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Silk Screen Print, Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, Mixed Media Graphite Pencil, Goodridge
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, Pen Drawing, GMR School
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, Linoleum Print, GMR School
Maryjane Crane, RLF, Acrylic Painting, RLF School

Watch for the exhibit to make its way to your town!

Join our board! Would you like to be more involved in the arts in northwest Minnesota? Consider becoming an Arts Council Board Member! The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has openings for representatives from Red Lake, Pennington and Norman. We are also looking for one at-large member who can be from any of our seven counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

The Arts Council meets five times a year usually in Warren or virtually and reviews and approves arts grants and arts policy and arts services for seven counties in Minnesota.

For more information and to receive a nomination form for yourself or a friend, contact Mara Hanel, NWMAC, at 218-745-8886; or email her at director@nwartscouncil.org. Visit our website here to learn more and for the nomination form.

Need a Head Shot or Photos of Work Samples? We’ve got you covered!

We now offer a photography room for artists to create work sample shots at no cost at our office space in Warren. The photography room offers amateur headshots, photography of instruments and samples of art pieces, as well as live recording shots.

You must make an appointment for this service. director@NWArtsCouncil.org or 218-745-8886.

Sista's Corner in Crookston and Tonnabell’s in Thief River Falls showcase local artist's works.Both stores are looking for artists who would be interested in teaching classes or demonstrating their art. Reach out to Kelly at Tonnabell's or Shirley at Sista's Corner to inquire.

Kate Hammer's Art of Addiction pieces are in our display case at NCTC near our gallery through the end of the year.

Art is Not Separate from Life

Gully Artist Cindy Kolling's work involves fine line technical pen drawing. She often works on carefully selected recycled fiber paper. She considers art as essential to life as eating and breathing. Her work will be exhibited in a display case near our NWMAC Gallery at NCTC until this summer. Stop by and see it!

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To see all the trainings, events and other resources that Springboard for the Arts is offering, visit their events webpage here. These include zoom sessions on copyrights, trademarks, record keeping, pricing, websites, and more!

Applications are now open for the 2023-25 Rural Regenerator Fellowship

Rural places need leaders who know the importance of creativity and culture in cultivating human-centered systems for rural community health, economic vitality, and civic engagement. Expanding on over a decade of rural programming, Springboard's Rural Regenerator Fellowship supports these creative leaders in the Upper Midwest through unrestricted funding, and ongoing learning and exchange.

The Fellowship is open to individual artists, makers, and culture bearers, grassroots organizers, community development workers, public sector workers and other rural change makers who are committed to advancing the role of art, culture and creativity in rural development and community building.

About the Fellowship:

Fellows participate in two years of peer learning and exchange, and receive an unrestricted $10,000 stipend.
Eligible applicants must live and work in a rural place in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, or Nebraska and/or the Native Nations that share those geographies.
Applicants who are Black, Indigenous, Native, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and/or People with disabilities will be prioritized in the selection process.

Apply by Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at:

https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/

Minnesota arts & cultural organizations offering accessible programs and services are welcome to list events on the Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar. An account is required; register today or log in to submit events. New accounts need to be approved by the Minnesota Access Alliance board before you’ll be able to submit events. Please allow 48 hours for your registration to be approved.

The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides this Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for patrons who use accessibility accommodations. At the their website you’ll find listings of (in order):

* Captioning,

* ASL interpreting,

* Audio Description,

* Sensory-friendly accommodations, and

* Disability-related events.

Each listing links to more details on MNAA’s online calendar (https://calendar.mnaccess.org). Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if you need to make an advance reservation for the accessibility service.

Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar is here: https://calendar.mnaccess.org

If you previously had an account to submit events to VSA Minnesota’s Accessible Art Activities Calendar, your credentials for that calendar are still valid here.

This calendar only lists events that provide explicit accommodations for people with disabilities. Information about the accessibility of the event location and provided accommodations is a requirement in order to be listed.

To submit events and register start at this page: https://calendar.mnaccess.org/calendar/submit/

If you know of other accessible events, please ask those venues to submit their events to the MNAA Calendar (and to MinnesotaPlaylist.com).

Anyone can get this monthly calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org and indicate which list you want: the entire list or specifically ASL Interpreting, Captioning, Audio Description, Sensory Friendly accommodations or Disability-related topics.

It's time to submit an entry for the 6th edition of our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. Learn more and download an entry form on our website here. Or click here to download right now. Or for businesses and organizations, download and submit this document . Or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call our office at 218-745-8886 to receive a form via mail. The cost is only $20 for a listing + you receive 20 copies of the booklet! What a deal! Submissions will be accepted until October 10, 2023.

Find our a free print edition of our current booklet Artists of Northwest Minnesota at your local library, from featured artists, or in other public spaces throughout our region. This is the 5th edition of this publication. The directory lists fine craft and visual artists, photographers, writers, and performing artists who answered our call for entries, as well as arts organizations. It's an invaluable resource when you are looking for art and artists in our region.

Grant writing training will be offered 2 weeks before each deadline ... July 17, Sep 18, Oct 17, Nov 1, 2023 and Feb 16, Apr 17 2024.

Children's author Wanda Nelson will be signing her books at the Student Art Exhibit Artist Reception on Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8PM at NCTC in Thief River Falls.

Warroad Summer Theatre is producing Quilters and Willy Wonka Jr. Warroadsummertheatre.com or email warroadsummertheatre@gmail.com.

Registration is NOW OPEN for this summer day camp for art geeks in Lengby. A week of art projects and summer fun with the McColl's at the Lengby Schoolhouse! Sign up at oldschoolarts.org.

North Country Fiddle and Dance &

EGF Campbell Library presents

lynx lynx

Monday, June 19th 2023 7 to 9 pm

East Grand Forks Campbell Library

422 4th Street N.W.

Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian- Swedish folk music duo – lynx lynx. The variety of strings includes fiddles, Hardanger fiddles, guitars, and even a mandolin. The mix of tunes is put together by both their original and traditional Nordic fiddle tunes.This is what music sounds like between two Scandinavian transplants in the Midwest coming together to share their fiddle tunes

Admission is free will donation at the door

Stop by Andy Hall's Sweetlight Gallery Downtown Crookston to see Courtney Olson's 'Flowers That Dance'

Northwoods Writer's Conference is June 20-25 in Bemidji. They are accepting applications for the workshops, in-person and virtual auditor tracks, and a new Virtual Writers Group. This year's faculty is Aimee Nezhukumatathil (Hybrid Poetry & Prose), Ross Gay (Poetry), Keetje Kuipers (Poetry), Lia Purpura (Creative Nonfiction), Will Weaver (Fiction), and Diane Wilson (Memoir to Fiction). And, Heid E. Erdrich and Sun Yung Shin are visiting writers. https://www.northwoodswriters.org/.

If you're in Bemidji don't miss the Bemidji Sculpture Walk 2023. Roseau Metal Artist Sue Suess's piece "Strolling with the Wind" is one of the featured works of art!

You are invited to attend the upcoming Northwoods Art & Book Festival, taking place on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Hackensack. The 2nd annual Poetry Safari is a part of this event — this year's theme is "Celebrating animals and the environments where they live and thrive." Poems that resonate with elementary and middle school-aged children are especially encouraged. Feel free to submit up to two poems, keeping in mind that they should be easily reproduced on 8.5" x 11" paper.

Here's how it works: Eleven creatively decorated Poetry Safari stands will be hidden throughout the festival. Participants, both young and old, will check in at Safari Headquarters to receive a pencil, Poetry Safari button, and poem tracker. Armed with these tools, they'll embark on a quest to find the hidden poems and experience the joy of poetry firsthand.

Submit your poems to kokoropoets@gmail.com by July 1, 2023. Eleven poems will be selected that capture the spirit of the Poetry Safari. Chosen poets will be notified by July 21, 2023. For further information or any queries about the Poetry Safari, contact the Poetry Safari Headquarters at (218) 270-5648 or email kokoropoets@gmail.com.