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Northwest Minnesota Arts Council News

The Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities

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

NWMAC Gallery

Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera

An Exhibit Featuring the Artwork of

Christine Foster and Bert Foster

Northland Community & Technical College

Thief River Falls

Open Now Until Friday, March 3

Artist Reception Tuesday, January 31 from 6 to 8 pm

The exhibit is composed of paintings created by Christine Foster and photographs taken by Bert Foster. Christine Foster has a masterful way of painting light amid everyday life. With rural scenes from NW Minnesota, Christine Foster’s work feels like you’re back on the farm.

Of the photography in the exhibit, Bert Foster explained, “This exhibit is comprised of photos taken over the past four years. All the places, people, and animals you see are in Minnesota. These images come from the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Itasca State Park area, the Park Rapids lakes area, and my own backyard outside of Thief River Falls. I love the natural beauty of our state.”

Bert is a long-time photographer. He said, “I have been taking photos for about as long as I can remember. I recall snapping my first pics at age 8 using my parents’ Kodak Instamatic. In middle school I bought my first camera, a Kodak that produced instant prints, like a Polaroid. In high school I got my first 35mm SLR camera, and it’s been on and on from there... "

Christine is a visual artist who specializes in drawing, oil, and watercolor. She has been a working artist for over 30 years. She enjoys seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. “When I discover that moment, I feel compelled to capture it. Capturing the light is essential! When I am in the process of creating, I feel timeless -- at one with my Creator and free. My favorite way of painting is plein air, where I paint outside directly at the site -- the sounds I hear, the weather I feel, and the sights and smells I experience all influence the artwork. Art is an expression, an experience, and a communication.”

You won’t want to miss this interesting exhibit!

Please join us for an Artist Reception with Christine and Bert on Tuesday, January 31 from 6 to 8 pm at the gallery.

Refreshments will be served.

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. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

Call for Student Art

for an exhibition

Art Inspired by Art

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is announcing a call for student art in the NW Minnesota region. This exhibit is titled Art Inspired by Art and will feature visual art, writing, and music. Consider submitting illustration, watercolor, acrylics, 3-D works of clay, ceramics, or other 3-D mediums. Written works, such as music lyrics and poetry, along with recorded music will also be considered.

Include a description of the art your work is based on, along with your thought process.

Submissions Due May 19, 2023

Art Inspired by Art will be open June-July

NWMAC Gallery, Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls

Visit

https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/blog/call-for-student-art-art-inspired-by-art or contact Trey Everett at the NWMAC for details.

https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/

218-745-8886

treyeverettcreates@gmail.com

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It's time to submit an entry for the 6th edition of our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call our office at 218-745-8886 to receive a form. The cost is only $20 for a listing + you receive 20 copies of the booklet! What a deal! Submissions will be accepted until May 31, 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.

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:

1.17.23 Janet Johnson Artist Janet Johnson sells her pottery at the Bead Gypsy in Roseau. She's created some fun pieces that have been popular, like her egg separators and thumb spoons. Janet received a grant in 2014 to purchase a wheel, supplies, and an old manual kiln for $500 and she just received another grant to purchase a new kiln (since her old one died — she's worn it out developing her craft and expanding her business.) Janet is a TARP (Teaching Artist Roster Program) artist and on our Enhanced Listing. She took our free TARP training that teaches artists numerous tools to help artists secure residencies and offer them successfully. Listen here.

1.10.23 Ross Hier Ross was the 2022 Artist of the Year. He is a retired wildlife biologist, in addition to being a prolific self-taught visual artist. Nature provides Ross with unlimited subject matter and his painted subjects are wide-ranging. Although birds amaze him most of all, he also enjoys painting landscapes, prairie plants, fish, reptiles and hunting and fishing scenes. Ross works in watercolor and pen and ink. Ross’s work has been featured in solo art exhibits with the NWMAC and in our annual exhibits and traveling exhibits. Listen here.

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. Listen here.

Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Red Lake Falls Public Library

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. The exhibit includes 17 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Red Lake Falls Public Library until March 1. Please stop by to see these works of art as this is the first stop for this traveling exhibit. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.

The 2022-2023 Artists & Artwork:

Ross Hier, Crookston, “Wood Splitter’s Alarm Clock”

Elizabeth Kitchell-Rockstad, Ada, “Cornflower Bee”

Heidi Danos, Fosston, “Hot Pink Sadness”

Stephanie Olson, Thief River Falls, “Monday’s Cat”

Alicia Spilde, Karlstad, “Leaving”

Cindy Kolling, Gully, “Prairie Smoke”

Jodi Peterson, Ada, “Cardinal”

Kate Hammer, Roseau, “Abandoned”

Nick Reitzel, Karlstad, “Across the Purple Sky”

Paulette Christianson, Badger, “Under the Orange Moon”

Mason Owens, Crookston, “Peace is in the Roughness”

Kinsley Oslund, Grygla, “Crush”

Emily Balboa, Crookston, “Timeless Beauty”

Autumn Ruikka, Thief River Falls, “Bull Stamp”

Carlie Nehrus, Ada, “Jelly Fish”

Lakylie Brobst, Grygla, “Hayes Lake Skies”

Paige Sturre, Thief River Falls, “Escaping the Bland”

To read more about the traveling exhibit and to find out the schedule click here.

Apply Now for an Arts Grant

Deadline is March 1

Arts Grants Funding Available!

Grant Writing Workshop February 14

Applications are open to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, individuals and other nonprofit organizations. 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. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are March 1. 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 these two very important grant opportunities include 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. This is a great way to bring arts experiences to your community.

We are offering a grant writing workshop online or in person to assist you with your application. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren for the workshop or to work on your grants in our new setting. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org. The session will be held Tuesday, February 14 at 11:00 am. You can also set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process.

Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster online is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area. Go to our www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org website and click teaching artist roster on the left navigation bar. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.

Also available on a first come-first served basis are Quick Turn Around Grants for $500. These grants can be used for missed gigs and income due to the pandemic. Use the Quick Turn Around application in the Individual Artist grants. See our website for more information and to apply!

To learn more about these 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.

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. Take advantage of this valuable opportunity for artists and creatives in our region.

You must make an appointment for this service. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment or with any questions at 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.

In partnership with the McKnight and Jerome Foundations, the Playwrights’ Center provides more than $400,000 each year to playwrights and theater artists. Their upcoming programs for playwrights and other theater artists include:

For other theater artists:

The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship supports mid-career Minnesota-based theater artists other than playwrights (while the deadline for this program is March 30, 2023, it is helpful to submit an intent to apply as soon as possible.)

Working Session: Artist Statements via Zoom, January 23, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. CT. This is a

free online work session about creating effective artist statements. Presented in partnership with Springboard for the Arts and lead by Alison Bergblom Johnson.

Working Session: Digital Work Samples via Zoom, February 13, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. This

is a free online work session for theater artists about putting together digital work samples. Presented in partnership with Springboard for the Arts and lead by Aaron Fiskradatz and Abbee Warmboe.

Reach out to Julia Brown (she/her/hers),

Artistic Programs Manager, for more information at juliab@pwcenter.org.

www.pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 x.11152301

Join us for 2 online discussions this month. On January 23 at 4 pm, we'll be speaking with Thief River Falls Photographer Bert Foster. On January 24 at 11 am our discussion will be with Visual Artist Christine Foster. The artwork of Bert and Christine Foster is featured in our exhibit — Northern Exposure: Paintbrush and Camera at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC until March 3. Both artist spotlights will delve into the exhibit, the artists' backgrounds and artwork, insight into creativity and inspiration, and much more! The discussions will be live on our Facebook page and YouTube Live. Afterwards, you can view the recording on our Facebook, or YouTube pages or website. Reach out with any questions!

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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.

Do you miss connecting with other rural artists in-person?

Apply to the Rural Connection Fund.

The Rural Connection Fund will provide rural artists in the Upper Midwest with $2,000 to support informal gatherings of rural artists and creatives to witness one another’s work, exchange ideas and learning, and build a foundation for long lasting peer support.

Who is Eligible? Culture bearers, makers, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, performers and other creatives in rural and tribal communities of 30,000 people or less in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois and the Native Nations that share those geographies). Gatherings must connect at least two rural artists who live at least 75 miles apart.

Types of gatherings may include but are not limited to:

Informal exchanges to visit one another’s community and witness one another’s work in person
Mini-retreats of 2 or more rural artists/creatives to explore a specific topic and share learning
Gatherings of artists from multiple locations to connect.
Note: Springboard encourages simplicity! It is rare to get a chance to visit another artist without an obligation to fulfill, so consider how this can nurture other aspects of your artistic life without adding new major commitments to your life.

The Rural Connection Fund has 3 rolling deadlines to enter your request in their lottery-based selection process. The lottery pool is reset after each selection, but in your form, you can choose to automatically resubmit your request for each deadline. The upcoming deadline is

March 3, 2023

Learn more about the fund, eligibility criteria, and submit your application!

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.

Handcrafted Somali Artwork on display in Thief River Falls

Stop by Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River to see hand crafted household and functional Somali artwork displayed in one of the window cases near our exhibit space and the library.

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce that the 2023 Annual Art Exhibit will be at the Middle River Legacy Center in March and April.

The deadline to submit your artwork is February 28, 2023. Adult artwork will be dropped off the week of March 6 and student artwork later that month.

Artists from our 7 county- service region can enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adult and student artists are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception in Middle River on April 30.

Entries are accepted now in our online grant system. If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 28, 2022.

Of the Year Awards Nominations Due February 28

Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles.

Our Arts Advocate of the Year award honors someone who is a voice and advocate for arts within the community, local school, or our region. Arts includes all disciplines. It comes with $500 and often goes to a local leader who lives in the area where the artist reception will be held. However, anyone is eligible to be nominated.

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 to use however they see fit.

Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression.

Our deadline for nominations is February 28. Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Persons who believe their nominee would qualify for this award and have questions should contact the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council office at (218) 745-8886 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is on our website.

Saturday, Feb 25 at 2PM

Online two- hour Mini Lenten Retreat with Teresa Blythe and Trey Evevett via Zoom.

Working with the Stations of the Cross cards, you will explore the three secret teachings of creativity: what it means to live in the present, be kind to ourselves, and move away from “right/wrong” thinking. Time devoted to coloring and creating, which move participants out of our anxious thoughts and into a deeper restful place of the heart, will be part of the retreat. $30 now. After 1/31 $40.

Included in registration will be a set of the Stations of the Cross cards that will be mailed to you. Register at treyeverettcreates.com.

North Country Fiddle and Dance

New Year Dance

Saturday, January 28 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm

live music with Four Mile Portage of Duluth

Callers: Tom Maloney, Brandy Forsman and Jeanne O'Neil

East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.

East Grand Forks

All ages, singles, couples, families

Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...

all dances are taught and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

A photo & video workshop will be held at the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks on Thursday, January 26th from 5:30p-6:30p with special guest speaker Robert Benda, videographer from the UND Marketing & Creative Services Department. Learn basic techniques--camera settings, lighting, photo and video editing--and how you can apply them in your work, hobbies, and social media. Q&A session will tackle specific questions you have about your camera or projects. Feel free to contact Robyn Johnson Benda at the library or call the library front desk at 218-773-9121.Y

January exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery in Fosston features the detailed work of fiber artist, Stephenie Anderson. Stop by the gallery during library hours to view. Steph's knowledge of Scandinavian textile traditions and her 30 year career in creating textile art is evident in this work.

Family Day at the Museum

January 28th, 10 am - noon.

A free art-making event for families at the North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA) in Grand Forks.

The NDMOA welcomes renowned contemporary artist Xu Bing at the screening of his film Dragonfly Eyes on Wednesday, January 25th, at 6 pm in the museum galleries in Grand Forks.

Free and open to the public.

Reception to follow with the artist.

Sista's Corner Downtown Crookston offers art workshops and classes a few times a month, in addition to selling art and handcrafted items by regional and other artists.This month Trey Everett will lead a workshop focused on Healing Through Art.

⇢ Creative Coloring Mini Lenten Retreat on Thursday, Feb 16, 6-8 PM. $35: Includes one set of 12 Stations of the Cross coloring cards. Reach out to Sista's Corner or Trey to sign up.

AUDITIONS for TRFACT's Fiddler on the Roof

Monday & Tuesday, Feb 6 & 7 from 5:30 - 8 PM and Saturday, Feb 11 from 10-noon at NCTC Theater. Be prepared to sing a song of your choice. Accompanist provided, however you must bring sheet music. You will also be required to read from the script. Performance dates are June 6-9 & 12-13, 2023. This is an adult-cast show; however they are looking for 2-3 ten to twelve year olds. Teens are welcome to audition for adult roles.

Questions? Email Ex Dir Jane Anderson at trfact56701@gmail.com