Cathy Forgit of rural Crookston/Beltrami, MN is a fabric artist who benefited from a grant application to the NWMAC. With NWMAC support she purchased a “warping mill” to help create her artwork. Cathy talks about her love of art and the process of applying for financial aid from the NWMAC.

Jerry Amiot – President of the Polk County (MN) Historical Society – talks about the recently held French Chautauqua Festival near Red Lake Falls, MN plus the upcoming “Pioneer Day” in Crookston, MN on Sunday, September 10th. Pioneer Day is an annual event and details were discussed concerning the events/demonstrations/music that are funded by the NWMAC during Pioneer Day.

Mara Hanel, Executive Director of the NWMAC discusses: Development and production of the 2017 Area Artist Handbook (resource with visuals of their work). The NWMAC “Artist in Residency” program to help train regional artists to work in residency for schools and other event-based activities and events. Current showcase at the NWMAC Gallery and Gift Shop in downtown East Grand Forks, MN (Pottery by Janet Johnson of Malung. MN and paintings and drawings by Lucille Nelson of Argyle, MN.)

Guest: Kaitlin Barbosa – Kittson County, MN 4-H Coordinator Topic: A recent summer art camp at Lake Bronson State Park in Lake Bronson, MN. The camp highlighted the art of photography, oil painting and sign painting by area artists. Funding for the camp was provided by the NWMAC. Kaitlin also gave details on her wide and varied role as 4-H Coordinator within Kittson County and the many activities that are offered by 4-H throughout the year.

Amy Holte and Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla, MN successfully wrote grant applications from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) for multiple art projects that will take place at the Grygla Centennial Celebration. The event is being held August 25th through the 27th. Among the seven NWMAC sponsored events are: Klondike Chainsaw Wood Carvings from Red Lake Falls, MN, live bluegrass and gospel from the “Woodpicks” of northwest Minnesota, a “steamroller” from Cannon Falls, MN to help make personal “prints”, quilt and needle point demonstrations, a character artist and the Nor-Sweden dancers form Fargo, ND – dressing and dancing in traditional Scandinavian music.