The annual regional exhibit of juried art at the Fosston Library Arts Center ended Sunday, April 21st with the awarding of Artist of the Year and Arts Advocate of the Year at the Awards Reception for artists. Featuring 130 original works of art by 95 adult and student artists from the seven counties of northwest Minnesota, the creations on display included watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings; charcoal and pencil drawings; crayon works; sculpture; ceramics; photography; mixed media, and more.
The Northwest Star Artist Award was received by Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls for her decades of volunteered talent with Thief River Fall’s community theater. Jane performed two numbers for Sunday’s program to rousing applause.
Ric Sorenson of Fosston received the Arts Advocate of the Year Award in absentia. His wife, Bernadette, accepted the award on his behalf. Ric contributed to the arts community for forty years as a teacher, regional arts council member, and state arts advocate.
Prizes awarded included first place in adult category to Rock Bakken of Hallock for his painting of horses “Power and Glory.” Bakken also received the People’s Choice award in the adult category.
Adult Winners
1st Place $500 Acrylic painting by Rock Bakken of Hallock
2nd Place $300 Watercolor painting by Christine Foster of Thief River Falls
3rd Place $200 Sculpture by Katie Hruby-Schmidt of Fisher
Merit Award $100 Mixed media by Margaret Ehling of Red Lake Falls
Merit Award $100 Photograph (b&w) by Jill Green of McIntosh
Merit Award $100 Drawing by Barb Pinc of Plummer
Merit Award $100 Photograph (color) by Bert Foster of Thief River Falls
Merit Award $100 Acrylic painting by Corissa Kruse of Thief River Falls
Student Winners
1st Place $300 Charcoal drawing by Chandler Blanton of Greenbush
2nd Place $150 Mixed media 2D by Luise Benkert of Warroad
3rd Place $100 Acrylic painting by Rebecca Sistad of Fosston
Merit Award $50 Book art sculpture by Alissa Fife of Warroad
Merit Award $50 Photograph (b&w) by Jackie Lee of Warroad
Merit Award $50 Photograph (color) by Haley Warnecke of Halstad
Merit Award $50 Pastel drawing by Hillary Cudmore of Fosston
Merit Award $50 Print by Kaley Quanrud of Williams
The People’s Choice Award in the student category was given to Gabriel Hanson of Fosston for his drawing of Albert Einstein.
Congratulations to all!