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Northwest Minnesota Arts Council News

The Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities

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

Ongoing School Residency Grants Applications
September 21 Individual Artist Grant Training 4 PM
September 27 Art & Spirituality Artist Reception 6 to 8 PM
September 29 Art & Spirituality Exhibit Closes
October 10 Artists of NW MN Booklet Applications Due
October 17 Arts Grant Training for Organizations 4 PM
October 31 Non-Profit & Govt Arts Grants Deadline
November 1 School Equipment Grant Deadline
November 1 Individual Artist Grant Training 10 AM

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

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces

Art & Spirituality

featuring Sister Denise Schonhardt

Spirituality invites us to create art.

Art invites us into spirituality.

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

NCTC in Thief River Falls through September 29, 2023

Artist Reception Wednesday, September 27 from 6-8PM

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Art & Spirituality, featuring the art of Sister Denise Schonhardt. This exhibit also includes artwork by Trey Everett, Gail Ose, Elizabeth Wavra, Betsy Saurdiff, and Noah Hanson and is open through September 29 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

Sister Denise Schonhardt of Crookston is an accomplished painter who “grew up among the hills, lakes, and trees,” which is evident in her art. She explained that her “paintings are about how colors interact, how they push and pull, how they change each other, and how they convey emotion.”

The 35 pieces in this exhibit include oil and acrylic paintings, ceramic art, and pen and ink and depict the nuances and breadth of spirituality. Showcase Specialist Trey Everett explained, “It is difficult to convey in words and sentences what spirituality is to us let alone our personal spiritual experiences. However, art, in any form, can express the transcendent. The artwork in this exhibit is highly varied and a very intimate expression of what spirituality is to each artist. Sister Denise's hypnotic and prophetic artwork gave the whole gallery a surreal orange-red tint when it was installed. I hope when people interact with this exhibit, they experience the numinous, a sense of peace and awe as well as a sense of unease and challenge.”

Gail Ose of Thief River Falls explained, “The canvas is a sacred meeting place for me between the seen and unseen realms.” Elizabeth Wavra disclosed, “My art is the fruits of my prayers and my contemplation of God, and my attempt to share those experiences with others.” Multilayered with meaning, Trey Everett’s works are symbolic images of stations of the cross. “These images of the stations of the cross are designed to be a meditation on themselves.” Finally, Noah Hanson’s pieces depict scenes from Dante’s Inferno and are a part of a series of 68 paintings. He shared, “I wanted to connect with the text on a couple different levels. The Divine Comedy is a poem about witnessing. Dante in the story, and by extension the reader, is invited to come and see, and in seeing to make heaven and hell manifest. I wanted to bear witness and to understand the role of a witness, as such is a large part of the artist’s role. I also tried to put myself in the role of the poem's sinners, creating a purposefully laborious and repetitive project to give myself a taste of that kind of hell.”

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/t_nCcw8vrPg

An Artist Reception will be held on Wednesday, September 27 from 6 - 8 PM at the gallery. The public is invited to join us. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to attend.

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.

For more information about this exhibit visit northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/blog/art-amp-spirituality-exhibit-featuring-sister-denise-schonhardt-is-open or for other information look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.

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.

Fall Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications

Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now

Grant training for Organizations Tuesday, October 17 at 4 PM

Individuals September 21 at 4 PM & Nov 1 at 10 AM

Applications are open for arts grants to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, 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.

Nonprofit arts organizations can start applying for general operating funds. Applications are open now. The eligible grant amount is based on total expenses within the previous two completed years and the organization's history of arts programming. These organizations will be able to add to this grant, as the year progresses, if they need additional funding. Funding sources for these grants come from Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.

Contingent on funding, Individual Artist Grants have a September 30 deadline for $5,000 grants and November 15 deadline for $1,500 and an ongoing deadline for quick turnaround grants for $500. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.

Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Grants are awarded annually with $1,500 going to four individuals and $5,000 going to four individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.

Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.

All other nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are 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 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.

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 is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.

Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.

Schools can also apply for Arts Equipment for their school by November 1 each year. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match requirement. Funds for this arts equipment in schools grant program come from the general fund of the State of Minnesota.

Read more here.

We are offering several grant training workshops via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren. You must RSVP to attend. Email director@nwartscouncil.org to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! We are here to help.

Upcoming trainings will be:

· September 21 at 4 pm. Individual Artist grant training

· October 17 at 4 pm. Grant training workshop for organizations

· November 1 at 10 am. Individual Artist grant training

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. To hear all of the past podcasts visit our website here.

Some of the recent podcasts include:

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 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 here.

8.8.23 George French Crookston resident and Associate Professor George French 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. To hear all about the grant and how things have been going, listen here.

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 performed Aug 3 and Robby Vee on September 17 at 2 pm. Listen here.

7.25.23 Eric Mickelson Goodridge school teacher and perennial Freedom Fest emcee Eric Mickelson spoke about the Freedom Fest 2023 schedule. This 7th annual event held July 28-29 at the Goodridge Veterans Park featured live music and other artists, including watercolor art, ironwork, hand woodburning, and more. The NWMAC provided funding for this event. Listen here.

7.18.23 Carol Ihle Thief River Falls Zehlian’s member Carol Ihle discussed the Zehlian's Art & Wine Walk on July 27 in Thief River Falls and a mural that the Zehlians have been a part of. During the Art & Wine Walk, artists were located at businesses throughout the city. Attendees viewed and purchased art at each business. A mental health awareness mural was recently painted on one of the walls of Tonnabell’s building with funding from the NWMAC. A mural unveiling was held downtown Thief River in July. Listen here.

Traveling Art Exhibit Visiting Area Libraries

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC)'s annual Traveling Art Exhibit is touring NW Minnesota libraries. 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 is in Roseau at the library until August 29.

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 is exhibited in a display case near our NWMAC Gallery at NCTC. Stop by and see it!

Grant writing training will be offered 2 weeks before each deadline ... Sept 21, Oct 17, Nov 1, 2023 and Feb 16, Apr 17 2024. Reach out if you need help!

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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!

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.

Fiber art created by Roseau Artist Aliza Novacek-Olson is displayed in one of the display cases outside of our NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Aliza’s work will be displayed until the end of the year. Stop by to see it!

Sod House Theater will be bringing their production TABLE to Crookston on September 21 and Hallock on September 23. This funny all-female team focuses on food and togetherness. For more information and tickets visit https://www.sodhousetheater.org/table-2023

The Downtown Horns have been playing throughout our region this summer. Here are some upcoming dates to see them.

Attention Metal Artists! Call for Art for Metal Arts Festival on September 9

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance is looking for artists to compete in their Metal Arts Festival metal art competition. All artists are encouraged to showcase their art at the Competition and Live Auction. All mediums are welcome if there is some metal component to the artwork, i.e. sculpture, welded artworks, mixed media, jewelry, 3-D art, fiber art, etc. All sizes accepted. Be as creative and inventive as you wish – push the boundaries of metal art! Deadline to register your artwork is August 25 by emailing prca@prairierenaissance.org. Please include your name, address, phone number, and the approximate dimensions of your piece or pieces of artwork and the value of your artwork. Attach a photo of your piece to your email. Deliver your artwork to Morris, MN on Saturday, Sept 9. For more information/details, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262 or visit prairierenaissance.org.

Mental Health Awareness Mural Check out the Mental Health Awareness mural created by artist Victoria German in Downtown Thief River Falls

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!