Arts Advocate of the Year is Bonnie Stewart

Arts Advocate of the Year Bonnie Stewart

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Bonnie Stewart of Fosston was awarded the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award.

Stewart has been a champion of the arts in Fosston since the early 1990s. She has served on the boards of the East Polk Heritage Center, the Pine to Prairie Folk School, and the Firefly Center for Art and Wellbeing. She was instrumental in establishing the City of Fosston’s Art and Culture Commission and continues to serve on it. She is the part-executive director for the Fosston Community Library and Arts Association. Through these positions and volunteering with other projects, she has led and initiated programming and education efforts, secured artwork for exhibition at the Sorenson Gallery and performing artists at the Fosston Community Library and Arts Center Theatre, written numerous grants and assisted area artists with grant writing. Bonnie’s tireless commitment to the arts has made a tremendous impact in our region. 

Stewart left her professional career as a non-profit administrator over fifteen years ago and still consults with non-profit organizations on a part-time basis. Five years ago, she obtained a Master of Liberal Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In addition to her non-profit work, Bonnie also owned and operated two retail businesses in Fosston – Nellie’s Attic and Good Things. She co-founded Sisters Sojourn in 2011, a two-day event held annually in Mentor, MN that featured women artists, entertainers, and speakers.

Other activities she enjoys are reading, writing, travel, and kayaking. She professes to be an “artist wannabe” and has dabbled in art that primarily includes watercolor and collage.

According to Fosston Artist Heidi Danos, “Bonnie has been instrumental in supporting the arts in Fosston and the surrounding area in countless ways. She’s been on boards, written numerous grants, been active in projects, and simply been a rock in our community. She isn’t afraid to serve in any capacity. Most recently, Bonnie has been a huge instrumental force in propelling a new project forward, the Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing. The Center is partnering with Alluma to create a mixed-use space that will serve the community by providing accessible access to mental health with a creative twist.”

Stephenie Anderson said, “Bonnie has been a supporter of the Arts in Fosston for decades and is always willing to pitch in for the good of the community. I have known Bonnie to be a fantastic artist and arts advocate. Her quick wit, attention to detail, and loyalty to the art community have endeared her to the residents of Fosston. Bonnie has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to bring art and heritage to all the people in our community.”

About the impact of the arts Bonnie said, “I think they are one of the most important things that a person can experience. Art is essential to our wellbeing, to how we look at the world and other people. I’m so grateful we have these opportunities in Minnesota. The Legacy funding has been incredibly important. Art is life is my mantra.”

Arts Advocate of the Year Bonnie Stewart with NWMAC Director Mara Hanel

Bonnie’s advice to aspiring artists is, “Step out of that comfort zone and just do something. Take the class. Meet the other artist. Stretch your boundaries a bit. Seek information about something you are interested in. I’ve witnessed young artists who have been transformed by trying out their idea.” 

This award was presented on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Funding for this award comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.

Congratulations, Bonnie!

Of the Year Awardees Bonnie Stewart, Cathy Erickson, and Debbie Aune