Colors, I've always been fascinated by colors

Just give me a box of Crayola crayons, a big box mind you. How many shades of green can you find?  Ah, the smell of color.  And the names! Right now, I'm considering "Macaroni & Cheese, with Blizzard Blue, and Aquamarine for my bathroom.  If you love color too, thanks to the Crookston Times for giving us the scoop on color.  Remember to Shop Local!

Interiors: 2012 colors examine bridges of life

By Rosemary Sadez Friedmann

Scripps Howard News Service

Posted Dec 29, 2011 @ 07:34 AM

So do you know what the colors are for the new year? Well, I do. And I'm willing to share that knowledge with you. These colors come to you not just from me but from the prestigious Pantone Color Planner. The Pantone company puts out the color trends twice a year and designers follow them religiously and this year the pallet of colors contemplates the idea of bridges as a metaphor for examining the patterns of life, the environment and the imagination. The colors this year flow from quiet stillness to full blown intensity and offer a multitude or surprising and innovative color patterns and combinations. With that said, let's see what these exciting colors are.

There are eight pallets:

Perception -- the bridge between deception and reality. Indistinct metallics sit with chalky tones for a story concerned with what is real and what is not. Ah, does the political climate have anything to do with this?

Clay -- the bridge between matter and soul. The colors are none other than those of clay, more or less enlivened, more or less shaded, more or less dry, more or less dampened. Ah, we tend to get earthy, or down to earth when the economy is iffy.

Now -- the bridge between past and future. Dark, dense shadows, full of memories and images, contrast with pure sparkles of blinding light, discretely colored. Ah, to have life back to the good old days.

Titanium -- the bridge to new heights. The colors of precious metals oxidized by the sun: golden brown, dark blue and turquoise. Mix them with warm orange, sunflower and primary yellow. Ah, sounds rich.

Spirit -- the bridge between light and dark. Brown and terracotta melt into pink and are lightened by rose, coral, vivid orange and a trace of turquoise. This is the last memory of the day. Ah, this one takes us all over the place in a quiet, soft manner.  

Lens -- the bridge to other worlds. A palette of yellows full of energy is set on a plate of modulated, neighborly neutrals with a bright, shiny gold at the center. Ah, a new twist on beige.

Pier -- the bridge to nowhere. An endless horizon of blues, greens and foaming white with a milky, misted color are viewed through a wash. Ah, sounds almost childish but with a mature twist.

Facade -- the bridge between nature and technology. This palette is based not on what we can extract from the natural world, but what we can learn from it. Ah, sort of a meditative tone.

Well, there you have it. From this you will see fashions take off in the home decor, in the clothing choices and even in makeup colors. I'll unplug my crystal ball now.
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color." For design inquiries, write to Rosemary at DsgnQuest@aol.com.

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

Awesome creative thinking going on!

Fargo project seeks to turn flood ditches into art

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Dec 09, 2011 @ 01:14 PM

Fargo, N.D. —

A North Dakota city that has coped with major river flooding in recent years is aiming to turn its drainage ditches into functional civic beauty, with the help of a federal arts grant.

The Fargo Project is meant to serve as a pilot program to transform into neighborhood commons several large holding ponds that were constructed throughout the city in the last decade to help with the annual flooding.

It's an unusual project for the National Endowment for the Arts to finance, but represents the "intersection of arts and communities," said Rocco Landesman, the group's chairman, who toured the state's largest city Thursday.

"I wanted to see what was going on," Landesman said. "I think it's going to be a great showcase for us around the country, to show how you are creating parks or making physical, structural changes in your community that add an important aesthetic element."

The NEA is giving out "Our Town" grants of about $6.6 million total to 51 communities in 34 states. Fargo received $100,000, which the city will match. Specifics about how the holding ponds will be redone are nebulous so far. The city is soliciting ideas from the public that "reflect the internal life and cultural vibrancy," according to the project description.

Landesman called Fargo "probably the flattest place" he's ever seen, which is the reason the city carved out the temporary drainage basins. City officials said in the past, 3 or 4 inches of rain would flood streets and shut down areas of the city.

"I'm anxious to find out what you can do with these spaces," Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker said. "Right now it's strictly the ducks — the geese on occasion — that get to use them."

The city has tapped ecological artist Jackie Brookner to lead the project, which will take one of the storm water detention ponds and turn it into a neighborhood commons. Designs for the other 19 basins will be done locally.

"We're very excited to be working with our local art community and helping us solve this problem, as you heard the challenge from the mayor on how to make things more beautiful and multi-functional," said Nicole Crutchfield, a city planner.

Brookner plans to visit Fargo every couple of months to work on the project, with local artists assisting, organizers say.

Michael Strand, a North Dakota State University arts professor, said the effort shows the momentum that is building in the Fargo arts community. Strand recently moved back to his hometown after spending 20 years in Nebraska.

"I came home, and I came home really romantically, wanting to come to this community and do projects like this," Strand said.

___
http://www.thefargoproject.com

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

Thank you "Pirate Fine Arts!"

Pirate Fine Arts: Showing support, and showing their stuff

Photos

Mike Christopherson

During the junior high orchestra performance of a “Pirates of the Caribbean” tune, eighth grader Alyssa Fee plucks her viola.

  

Related Galleries

CHS Junior High Fall Concert

Related Videos

Junior High Band performs

Junior High Choir sings

By Mike Christopherson, Managing Editor

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Nov 16, 2011 @ 12:47 PM

Crookston —

    Fine arts programs in Crookston's public schools are receiving a financial jolt thanks to the latest efforts of the Pirate Fine Arts Boosters (PFAB), which presented the Crookston School Board with a $13,300 check this week after its latest fund-raising effort.

    A major milestone was reached this year, too, PFAB Board member Jim Kent told school board members, as the eighth and final sound shell will be purchased. Kent said the goal of raising money to purchase eight – for a total cost of around $18,000 – was set in 2005. "That was a major undertaking in itself, and we're finally there," he said.

    PFAB's impact was also on full display Tuesday evening in the Crookston High School auditorium, where the junior high choir, orchestra and band performed their 2011 Fall Concert. Every singer and musician wore a matching new, dark blue Pirate Junior High Music polo shirt. A PFAB contribution helped to make the purchase of the shirts possible, Kent said. (Parents of junior high music students were asked to contribute $5 for their child's shirt.)

    The 2011-12 PFAB membership roster is more than 100 strong, with a mix of  individuals, families and businesses. Depending on their contribution level, they're broken into groups such as the Maestro Club, Bravo Club, Conductor Club, Director Club and PFABulous Club. Want to join? Contact them at PFAB, PO Box 743, Crookston, MN 56716.

    Total contributions in 2011-12 amounted to $22,169, the highest one-year total in the organization’s history. Since it was born in 2011, PFAB contributions total $150,327.

    The $13,300 this year is being allocated as follows:
    • $2,500 each for choral, band and orchestra
    • $500 for Highland School art
    • $1,000 each for CHS art and theater
    • $1,800 for Highland music
    • $1,500 for speech

    In actuality, Kent said, $14,750 was raised, but $1,450 in the form of a contribution to cover auditorium-related costs was made.

    Kent also lauded the Legacy Fund made possible by a 2008 vote of Minnesotans that has brought various artists into the local schools. "PFAB is able to do some cash matches and write some grants because of the fund," he said. "It's made a major impact in our schools."
   

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

Musical Jam sessions in Crookston!

A COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE WILL MEET THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH IN CROOKSTON

The All are Welcome Community Drum Circle will meet the third Thursday of every month beginning on November 17 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church at 510 North Broadway in Crookston.  Instruments will be provided and there is no cost to participate.  All ages are welcome and no musical experience is necessary.  Diane Lagasse will be the drum circle facilitator.  If you have questions or would like more information, call Diane at 281-3818.
What is a Drum Circle?  A drum circle is a musical jam session where the focus is on fun, recreation and community. Each member is encouraged to participate in ways that are appropriate and productive. For some, that might mean playing instruments, while others might sing, dance or just listen. Drum circles are a form of recreational music making. 
Some of the benefits of a drum circle are fun, self-expression, stress reduction, social interaction, community building, exercise for mind, body and spirit, multigenerational family activity and camaraderie and support.  

from the KROX AM website 

UMC Music and Theatre students perform "Zombie Prom"

UMC TO PRESENT THE MUSICAL-COMEDY "ZOMBIE PROM" NOVEMBER 16-19

The musical-comedy “Zombie Prom” will be performed by music and theater students at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) on November 16-20, 2011. Performed in the historic Kiehle Auditorium, the play is nightly at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, November. 16-19 with a special matinee performance on Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults; $3 for students and children; and UMC students are free with their U-Card. Anyone donating an non-perishable food item for the North Country Food Shelf in Crookston will receive a $1 discount on admission.
The musical is set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High, where the law is laid down by a zany, tyrannical principal. Pretty senior Toffee, played by Melissa Graf, has fallen for the class bad boy, played by Joe Harren. Family pressure forces her to end the romance, and he charges off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump. He returns glowing and determined to reclaim Toffee's heart. A tuneful selection of original songs in the style of 50s keeps the action rocking across the stage. It is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Cast members of “Zombie Prom” are (cast names included in parentheses): Nathan Anderson (Jake), Appleton, a freshman majoring in agricultural education; Austin Czichotzki (Eddie), Barnesville, a senior majoring in communication; Mark Frenzel (Josh), Blackduck, a freshman majoring in agricultural systems management; Jessica Girgen (Candy), Madien Rock, Wis., a freshman majoring in health sciences; Melissa Graf (Toffee), Hokah, a sophomore majoring in animal science; Brooke Hamilton (Miss Delilah Strict), Adams, a junior majoring in animal science; Joe Harren (Jonny), Eagle Bend, a senior majoring in agronomy; Alissa Hermandez (Coco), Savage, a freshman majoring in equine science; Tyler Lowthian (Joey, Richfield, a freshman majoring in organizational psychology; Liz Massie (Ramona), Eagan, a freshman majoring in communication; Joanie Melichar (Sheila), Bloomington, a freshman majoring in animal science; Miah Smith (Ginger), Hutchinson, a freshman majoring n health sciences; and Amanda Wagner (Announcer), Fisher, a senior majoring in communication.  

from KROX AM website Nov.14, 2011

All the world's a play

Fagerlund performing in 'Titanic' musical

By Staff reports

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Oct 31, 2011 @ 12:15 PM

Jamestown, N.D. —

Jamestown College student Noah Fagerlund of Crookston is performing in the Jamestown College Theatre production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Titanic” Nov. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in the Reiland Fine Arts Center’s DeNault Auditorium.
Fagerlund plays the role of Henry Etches.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved through the Box Office. Call (701) 252-3467 ext. 2435, send e-mail to tickets@jc.edu, or visit the Jamestown College web site, www.jc.edu and click on “Community” and “Reiland Box Office.”

“This is a powerful and touching depiction of the doomed voyage that changed history,” says director Mike McIntyre. “This is the perfect year for us to stage the show as April 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster. The anniversary will be marked around the world in numerous ways, and, for us, this musical does it in a very impressive way. The sinking of the majestic ship had such impact that society, communication, transportation and industry were all permanently changed by it.”

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

Talk about Hidden Artists! Nicole Wandrie, Joyful Photography

Operation: Love ReUnited captures the moment

Zoom

Photos

Nicole Wandrie/Joyful Heart Photography

Sholauna, along with their children, tearfully hugs her husband, John, upon his arrival at Hector International Airport in Fargo following a months-long deployment.

  

Yellow Pages

By Natalie J. Ostgaard, City Editor

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Jul 21, 2011 @ 11:55 AM

Crookston, Minn. —

Military overseas deployment is often a difficult time for both the soldier and his or her family, with emotions going into overdrive before, during and after the tour. Operation: Love ReUnited, an organization that involves photographers all over the United States including one in Crookston, is helping them cope by offering free photography services that capture once-in-a-lifetime moments these families will cherish for years to come.
  
“Several members of my family who have or still are serving in the military and am very supportive of those who serve, so when I heard about Op Love, as it's called, I said, 'This is something I can do,'” said Nicole Wandrie, owner of Joyful Heart Photography.
  
Op Love was founded five years ago by an Air Force wife who, after being unable to capture the faces of her young children when they first saw their father after months of deployment, came up with idea. Now, hundreds of professional photographers have signed on to provide free sessions to military families and members who are getting ready to deploy,  currently deployed or coming home.
  
Wandrie noted that she is, at this time, the only Op Love photographer within a 200-mile radius, according to the search engine provided on the organization's website. She has, so far, only conducted a handful of sessions. While there have been no recent mass deployments of soldiers in the Crookston area, she could find herself extremely swamped should one occur.
  
“It's not real well-known around here, but I would love to see other studios in the area join in,” she said. “Even at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, where most of my sessions have gone through, not a whole lot of people seem to be aware of it.”
  
Wandrie explained that there are three types of photo sessions. Pre-deployment sessions include the entire family in posed, studio shots. Sessions in which the soldier is already deployed involve family members at home. Homecoming sessions are, as one can expect, more candid shots on location where the soldier arrives to greet his/her family.
  
“These are more photo-journalistic in nature,” she said. “I got to do one of those, in Fargo, and it was pretty impressive with all the emotions and waving. It even got me a little teary.”
  
The complimentary package offerings vary depending on the type of session, said Wandrie, which include: two waived session fees per year; for pre-deployment and deployment packages, a small photo book with at least 15 images to be sent to the soldier overseas (for an extra special boost of moral) and a 11×14 wall portrait for the family; for homecoming sessions, a small photo book or CD of 15 final documentary style images.
  
In addition, Joyful Heart Photography offers a 15 percent discount on all services and products to anyone who is a member – past or present – of our nation’s armed forces.
  
Those who benefitted from Wandrie's generosity with Op Love have nothing but good things to say about the program.
  
“Prior to my deployment to Iraq, we had family photos taken through Joyful Heart Photography, and Nicole did a super job,” CMSgt. Scott (last names are not used as per Op Love confidentiality policy) wrote in an e-mail.  “She sent me a complimentary photo booklet with several photos of our family. It was great to have current professional quality photos of my family with me as a year is a long time to be away from family. As my deployment draws to an end, I'm very thankful to 'Operation: Love Reunited' and the blessing they provided us and so many other families during their separation.”
  
From a military spouse's point of view, “The photo session was extremely bittersweet. It was amazing to have time to get photos done with my husband and son and you made it such a fun day,” Hanah wrote in an e-mail to Wandrie. “It was difficult to know our time was coming to an end and he was going to have to leave. I can’t thank you as a photographer and the program enough. It gave us that time together and it also gave us amazing memories. We look at the photos so often! It has been a blessing for our son to sit down with me and look at the photos.
   
“Jason got his book at a time when he needed it most,” she went on. “He had received word of a death in his family and he was unable to get home for the funeral. He got his book of photos the day after he found out. It brought him back of days he got to snuggle and hold his son. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
  
“Our photos hang proud in our home and will for a very long time. We still wait for the day that he can come home, but until then we have photos near and far to look at and remember each other,” Hanah concluded.
  
Wandrie stressed that the program is not just for married military members.
  
“Moms, dads, sisters and brothers all have to cope with their deployment, too,” she said.
  
For more information on Op Love, visit the website at www.oplove.org.

Joyful Heart Photography
An Idaho transplant, Wandrie started Joyful Heart Photography in 2007 which, up until about a year and a half ago, she operated out of her home, lugging large pieces of equipment to shoot on location. The studio is located inside Head East Salon at 515 E Robert St.
  
She came into the business more than seven years of experience working in professional studios, including LeMars in Crookston, and holds an associates degree in photography. Her interest in photography came at a young age by helping her father, who was a yearbook teacher “back in the days of black and white in the dark room.” She also brings her photo expertise to her part-time job in the Wal-Mart photo center.  
  
One thing Wandrie said she is particularly proud of is being a Certified Professional Photographer, a designation she achieved in October. The requirements to become certified are fairly strict, she noted, with fewer than 10 percent of professional photographers in the U.S. earning the designation.
  
Wandrie specializes in maternity, newborn, weddings, family, children and senior photography. She said she tries to keep on top of the trends with what seniors want, but at the same time be unique.
  
“They don't want the same picture as their best friend they want something completely different,” she said.
  
She also considers herself “old school” when it comes to using the computer to enhance images.
  
“I like to get it right in front of the camera instead of spending hours at the computer post processing,” Wandrie asserted. “I have better things to do with time.”
  
To keep up with the latest software and techniques, which she said change yearly, Wandrie periodically attends workshops. She also does a lot of networking, something she finds particularly helpful in her line of work.
  
“You can learn a lot from others who do the same thing as you,” she said.
  
Joyful Heart currently has no set hours, but Wandrie said she hopes to change that in the near future. In the meantime, to set up an appointment, contact her at nicole@joyfulheartphoto.com or by calling 218-289-1320. Visit the website http://joyfulheartphoto.com or Facebook page www.facebook.com/JoyfulHeartPhotoFB for samples of her work and more information.

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

Dance Down in Crookston MN

Koch dances her way to many awards

Zoom

Photos

Submitted

Natalie Koch holds the awards she received from a recent dance competition in Fargo.

  Natalie Koch, a sophomore at Crookston High School, is reaping the rewards of taking the art of dance seriously since she was three years old. She took home armfuls of awards from two recent dance competitions, adding to her already extensive collection earned over the years.

  
The teen, who lives at Maple Lake with her parents, Dennis and Rose, and sister Ana, started out dancing with Deb Fontaine’s School of Dance in Mentor for two years and also with Mary Noel’s School of Dance in Crookston for seven years. Since 2006, she has been affiliated with the North Dakota Ballet Company in Grand Forks. She's had additional training at Broadway Dance Center (2008 and 2010) and Steps on Broadway (2010), both in New York City.
  
Koch participated in a dance competition sponsored by Triple S Dance Competitions of Burnsville that was held in Fargo on March 6.  More than 200 individuals participated in solos, duos/trios, small groups and large groups.  Twelve studios from Minnesota and North Dakota were represented.
  
Koch performed two solos, with great results. "Feeling Good" earned her first place for the senior jazz solo category and her other solo, "Honest," also also earned first place, in the senior lyrical solo category. In overall awards for seniors,  she won two out of the top five.  "Feeling Good" earned first place over all senior solos in this competition, and "Honest" earned third place over all senior solos. She was invited to perform both solos at Triple S's national competition this summer and was among a select group invited to participate in a "Chance to Dance" showcase during nationals.  To top it all off, she was honored with a partial scholarship to Ellen Werksman's dance workshop in Chicago this summer, which she plans to attend.
  
At the Spotlight Dance Competition held in Bismarck April 29-May 1, Koch also had great success. Her two solos each earned "ruby" awards, with an invitation to nationals. This was a new experience for her, as NDBC has not participated in the Spotlight competition previously.  She was the only one from NDBC's senior group to earn the ruby award.
  
She participated in a "dance down," which, as her mothers explains, is like an audition “where you learn and perform a piece on short notice and then fewer and fewer get called back on each successive round until there are only four left standing.” While Koch did not make the final four, she  made a good impression and learned a lot. She was the only one from NDBC to participate in the dance down.
  
Koch's solo competition credits include: Dance Olympus Dancer of the Year Nationals in 2005 (New York City, where “Chicago, Illinois” earned 5th place in category), IDC Nationals 2009 (Boston, MA, where “Gold” earned Sterling Silver Champion) and 2010 (Orlando, FL, where “Think” and “Keep It Loose” each earned Gold Champion, “Slow Me Down” earned Sterling Silver Champion).  Natalie was selected IDC’s National Dance Week Center Stage award recipient from the Bismarck regional competition, out of more than 200 dancers.
  
Additional solo credits include Triple S Nationals 2010 (where “Slow Me Down” earned 3rd, “Keep It Loose” earned 4th and “Think” earned 7th place in categories) and 2011 (national qualifier, nationals to occur June, 2011, solos took 1st “Feeling Good” and 3rd “Honest” over all seniors at regional).  Natalie also earned an invitation to the “Chance to Dance” Showcase and won partial scholarship for Ellen Werksman’s “Dancewerks” both 2010 and 2011 with Triple S (she plans to attend Dancewerks this summer).
  
When not at the studio, Natalie enjoys tennis (two year letter winner, section team participant) and choir, and also is on the honor roll at school.

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved

It's here! Must see our visual artists!

Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibition features many local artists

Zoom

Photos

Natalie J. Ostgaard

Shannon Gross checks out the student works at the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibition in the library on Wednesday.

  

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Apr 07, 2011 @ 12:08 PM

By Natalie J. Ostgaard, City Editor

Crookston, Minn. —

The 12th annual Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibition, featuring approximately 200 pieces created by 140 adult and student artists from a seven-county region, had its opening day at Crookston Public Library Wednesday. Crookston was chosen as the site for this year's exhibit to coincide with the city's Legacy Destination Weekend April 15-17.
  
“This year, we accepted more pieces than usual – last year it was around 130 – because of the Legacy Weekend,” said Mara Wittman, Arts Council Director for the Northwest Regional Development Commission. “There were a lot of great entries and we wanted to give them the opportunity to be seen during what we expect to be a high-traffic time.”
  
A wide variety of art mediums are on display, including paintings, drawings, stained glass, photography, digital images, pottery, sculptures, computer art and mixed media pieces. Artists participating in the exhibit are professional and amateur adults as well as area high school students from the seven-county northwest Minnesota region of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau. Some pieces are available for purchase through the artists.
  
The juried exhibit is free and open to the public. It will be on display at the library until April 17.  Viewing is allowed during regular library hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
  
Patrick Luber, professor of sculpture at the University of North Dakota, is this year's juror. He has an extensive background in judging visual art shows. His choices for 16 exhibit awards will be announced at an artist reception, also free and open to the public, on Sunday, April 17 p.m. at the Crookston American Legion. Entertainment will be from 1:30-2 p.m. followed by the awards presentation. The Northwest Artist of the Year award will be presented to visual artist Sister Norma Jean Eide of Crookston and Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year award to Anita Poss of East Grand Forks. The two people’s choice exhibit award winners, voted on by people visiting the exhibit, will also be announced. Cash awards total $2,300 this year.

Adult artists  
Crookston: Twylla Altepeter, Irene Bertils, Calla Blokzyl, Mary Jane Doak, Carol Evenson, Trey Everett, Ross Hier, Aryanna Ostgaard, Heather Sabian.
  
Other towns – Ada: Doreen Grunewald. Alvarado: Jean Ranstrom. Argyle: Lucille Nelson. Badger: Paulette Christianson. Climax: Kayla Evenson. East Grand Forks: Phyllis Kalliokoski, Jessica Pribula. Erskine: Jessica Nelson. Fertile: Bruce D. Flaig, Jerome Fuglseth. Fisher: Katie Hruby-Schmidt. Lancaster: Margaret Anderson. McIntosh: Vassa Kraskoff. Gatzke: Debbie Aune. Hallock: Beau Bakken, Rock Bakken, Emily Winger, Loren Younggren. Karlstad: Nick Reitzel. Kennedy: Bernie Wilebski. Lake Bronson: Blair Berg. Maple Bay: Beth Mjelde. McIntosh: Laura Evans. Mentor: Sara Mercil. Nielsville: Bethany Vraa. Newfolden: Chris Lane. Oklee: Viola Kvasager. Perley: Jane Borgen. Plummer: Barb Pinc. Red Lake Falls: Margaret Ehling, Robin Foster, Lorrie Foster, Connie Stocker. Roseau: Janet Johnson. Thief River Falls: Christine Foster, Beth Iliff, Stacy Kleinwachter, Corissa Kruse, Judy Sorum. Warroad: Megan Schindler, Joan Tveit.

Student artists
Ada-Borup School: Krista Kappes.
  
Climax Shelly School: Megan Balderston, Ashley Elwood, Marya Hahn, Nora Hahn,  Miranda Martine, Katrina Meine, Ashley Pruneda, Eliza Zeneno.
  
Crookston High School: Monique Burgoz, Stephanie Ibanez, Shannon Kaiser,  Lauren Klinge, Brady Larson, Cyrina Ostgaard, Kelly Reitmeier, Michelle Stahlecker, Katelyn Stegman, Tamika Wold.
  
East Grand Forks Senior High School: Kelsey Hedlund, Lilly Potter.
  
Fertile-Beltrami School: Tabitha Tadych, Jacob Neufeld, Kennedy Fuglseth.
  
Greenbush-Middle River School: Trista Anderson, Bailey Bergerson, Jaeden Blawat, Mike Ellis, Middle River; Lynsi Emery, Erin Foss, Shelby Gjovik, Timm Ingle, Strathcona; Chelsea Jacobson, Mikaela Janicke, Sydney Langaas, Badger; Kati Larsen, TyLynn McKeever, Middle River; Paige Taggert, Mercedes Timm, Tyler Wilson.
  
Norman County West School: Rikki Armstrong, Lynette Delgado, Kaleb Folden, Isabella Hukriede, Crystal Ingvalson, Kayla Larson, Cody Larson, Hailey Orsland, Dylan Ostgaard, Halstad; Jared Porter, Lauren Purrington, Lindsay Ramirez, Daniel Vanderplaats, Michael Warnecke.
  
Red Lake County Central School: Ashley Bierman, Lael Erickson, Monkojay Wilson.
  
Roseau School: Mollie Rae Miller.
  
Thief River Falls School: Jordan Arveson, Kelly Fynboh, Kara Iliff, Kierstin Jenson, Evelyn Jesme, Elysha Keefe, Victor Marshall, Emily McGrath, Tracy Mehrkens, Thief River Falls; Ashley Myklebust, Kali Olstad, Andrew Sparby.
  
Warren/Alvarado/Oslo School: Christian Erickson, Katie Rehder.
  
Warroad School: Megan Anderson, Courtney Bethune, Abby Erickson, Megan Fish,  Jessica Forst, Jamiee Gaddie, Megan Gustafson, Lucas Halvorson,  Marguerita Huiras, Casy Knight Chapin, Quinton Lang,  Jackie Lee,  Kord Maurer, Kaitlin Montebello, Kaley Quanrud, Danica Scheef, Adam Srisourath, Kayla Whitaker.
  
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council sponsors the arts program with funding from The McKnight Foundation and the Legacy Amendment. This year's co-sponsor is Valley Arts Council, which provides volunteers and knowledge that will help make the exhibit a success, said Wittman.

For more information on the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit contact Wittman at (218) 745-9111 or by email at mara@nwrdc.org.

Over 300 local artists showing their work in Crookston!

Thanks to Heather Sabian, I received this email telling the dates and times for the regional local artist show sponsored by the Northwest Regional Arts Council, Warren, MN:

"I have been selected to have two pieces of art in the 2011 Northwest Regional Arts Council art show. This year it will be held at the Crookston Public library.   The art I have submitted this year are clay sculptures glued to wood panels and painted with acrylics and oil glazes.   The show will rum from Wed-Sat April 6-16th. Library hours are:   M-10a-8p Tu-10a-8p W-10a-8p Th-10a-6p F-10a-6p Sat-10a-5p Sun1p-5p   110 Ash St Crookston MN  218-281-4522   Sunday April 17th from 1p-130p there will be a viewing of the art at the library. At 130-200 there will be refreshments at the American  Legion and an awards ceremony/reception for the artists from 2-3p at the Legion.    Sunday is the day to meet the artists and talk to them about their work. There are 300 entries this year!"

Seth Godin's definition of art and artist

Seth Godin’s Definition of ‘Art’

February 19th, 2011 by Michelle Basic Hendry

Arthur Lismer, Sombre Isle of Pic, Lake Superior, 1927;
Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery

What is Art?

The topic of Seth Godin’s last blog post and his definition of ‘art’ and ‘artist’ in his recent book “Linchpin” has proven touchy in the fine art community.

It’s not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt and made something worth making.
~ Seth Godin

Some time ago when I first read Seth’s controversial interpretation, I found a discussion in the comments section of the Fine Art Views Blog.  The whole idea was making some wonder if their ‘identity’ was threatened or that the meaning of ‘artist’ was in some way being diminished. If anybody can be called an artist in any form of work – what are we?

I shared my thoughts at the time, but, when the topic came up again today, it stuck with me yet again. Clearly I had not resolved it in my own mind. I went so far as to leave the post up in my-e-mail all day.

I was updating my website tonight (I am in the middle of a switch) and I was moving over one of my favourite quotes. I immediately ran back to my e-mail and realized that it seems that one of Canada’s most innovative ‘artists’ of the 20th century agreed with Mr. Godin:

Inside each one of us is an artist. . . . And that’s what an artist is, a child who has never lost the gift of looking at life with curiosity and wonder. Art is not the exclusive possession of those who can draw, write poems, make music, or design buildings. It belongs to all those who can see their way through all things with imagination.
~ Arthur Lismer

Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) was one of the founding members of the Canadian Group of Seven – a group of fine artists that changed painting in Canada and helped Canadians find their identity in their landscapes. These artists/painters risked criticism and overcame resistance in their communities. If Lismer can so broadly define ‘artist’ then why can’t we?

To anyone who lives and acts with imagination – thank you for sharing your art.

from:  http://bit.ly/h3oI4U

Lively, beautiful, and economically sustainable places with arts at their core grant program

--The National Endowment for the Arts is offering grants to nonprofit design and cultural organizations in partnership with a local government entity for Our Town, a new grant opportunity designed to contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and economically sustainable places with the arts at their core. Deadlines: Statement of Interest Deadline: 3/1/2011.  Invitation to Apply Issued: 3/25/2011.  Formal Application Deadline: 4/25/2011 
For more information see: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html.

Crookston Artists

Artist in the Schools: Trey Everett helps students make pen and ink come alive

Zoom

Photos

Natalie J. Ostgaard

rey Everett has (from left) Chris Ibarra, Gabe Montieth and Mandy Von Reuden add their own text to the large text-within-outline mural that’s been accumulating all week at Highland School.

  

Related Galleries

Artist in the Schools

By Natalie J. Ostgaard, City Editor

Crookston Daily Times

Posted Feb 11, 2011 @ 01:34 PM

Copyright 2011 Crookston Times. Some rights reservedCrookston, Minn. —

Thanks to a grant from Minnesota Northwest Arts Council, Crookston Artist Trey Everett is working with students at Highland and the high school this week to help them produce original pieces of pen and ink artwork, the goal being “to help students gain confidence and take pride in their abilities and unique creativity.” All that's needed to express yourself is a pen and paper, he says.

Everett has been concentrating primarily on students in fourth grade on up, helping them create age-appropriate unique pictures made up of text within an outline. Beth McDougall, retired Highland fifth-grade teacher who specializes in art, has assisted by working with second and third grade students on creating realistic self-portaits.

A culmination of the students’ work will take place this evening (Feb. 11) in the form of an art show in the CHS  commons, in conjunction with the Artist Series concert, from 6 to 9 p.m. The show is free of charge and open to the public.

Fresh Voices from Crookston Minnesota

from http://inprogresshome.blogspot.com/2010/12/estefania-alvarez-honored-at-walker-art.html

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Estefania Alvarez Honored at the Walker Art Center

In Progress artist Estefania Alvarez had her video Pasos Desde El Salvador exhibited at the Walker Art Center as part of the Twin Cities Youth Media Network's Annual Film & Video Festival.

Estefania attended the video and even went up on stage to answer questions from the audience. Estafania joined In Progress this summer as part of the Fresh Voices program in Crookston Minnesota. Her work is beautiful and we expect to see more of her talents as time goes on.

To view Estefania's video just CLICK HERE