Arts News
Call for Art for Community Art Exhibit in East Grand Forks
The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their annual Community Art Exhibit. Send your name, your phone number, and information about the artwork you would like to exhibit to Andrea at alorenz@egflibrary.org or call the library at (218) 773-9121 for more information. Submissions will be accepted until June 7th.
Poetry Potluck with Brendan Steamer
This Poetry Potluck event, celebrating National Poetry Month, is on April 25 at 6:30 PM at the Campbell Library at 422 4th Street NW, East Grand Forks.
The event will open with a Poetry Potluck — an opportunity for anyone in attendance to share a poem that they love and say a bit about what it means to them. Participation is not mandatory and individuals with no knowledge of poetry are encouraged to attend and listen.
Local poet Brendan Sterner of East Grand Forks will be reading his poetry. Stermer is the author of “Forgotten Frequencies,” winner of the 2023 Poetry of the Plains and Prairie’s Award and published by North Dakota State University Press in December. He is also the host of Interesting People Reading Poetry — a podcast where well-known artists and cultural luminaries read a favorite poem and share what it means to them.
Sterner’s reading will include information on local literary history and the influence of Midwestern writers on different aspects of the collection.
This event is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the McKnight Foundation.
Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil on March 28
Watch our Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil here. This was live on Thursday, March 28 at 10:30 AM on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
NWMAC Staff Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling spoke with Artists Jeanne O'Neil and Erin O'Neil. They talked about their music and the current exhibit Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024. They even played some tunes for the broadcast. Again, watch the recording here.
Jeanne O’Neil explained, “The focus of this show is the celebration of Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed. We are both folk musicians and visual artists, and it is fitting to bring these forms of artistic expression together, as the tunes and art are both inspired by the rural landscapes we live in.”
The newest prints in this show come from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land. “Walking the fields and pathways every day, year after year, the colors, contrasts, textures and lines of trees, grasses, sky, river are impressed in my mind, creating an accumulated knowledge of these places. The making of each print creates a deeper knowing and a stronger connection to that knowing.”
Jeanne’s daughter Erin O’Neil created the Twenty of Plenty tune book. This was an effort with a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians. The descriptions and illustration throughout the book offer insight into the meaning of the compositions. The cultural influences for these tunes include French Canadian, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish traditional fiddle music, New England Contra Dance music, Old Time Appalachian music, and Metis fiddle tunes.
Erin also has Rag Folk pieces in this exhibit. The Rag Folk represent preservation of what has been used in everyday life and creating new lives out of old scraps and rags. Erin started creating these pieces with a passion for recycling and reducing waste and a desire to connect with others.
Jeanne and Erin both play in the O’Neil Family Band. Erin plays the fiddle and feet, while Jeanne plays the banjo and concertina. The band holds many community dances in our region.
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. The O'Neil Family Band will be performing and refreshments will be served. Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick up when the exhibit ends.Please join us for the conversation! Let us know if you have questions!
North Country Fiddle & Dance Spring Afternoon Dances April 6 and May 4
North Country Fiddle and Dance Spring Afternoon Dances
Saturday, April 6 from 2:00 to 4:30 PM (East Grand Forks)
O'Neil Family Band with visiting banjo player Jefferson Reynolds
East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr SE
Saturday, May 4 from 2:30 to 5 PM (Fosston)
Embassy Community Center, 603 3rd Street NE, Fosston
Music by The O'Neil Family Band with Caller: Robin Nelson of Minneapolis
All are welcome, all ages, all dances are taught and are easy to learn
American traditional folk dances- reels, squares, contras, circle mixers
Donations at the door
Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces
Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints
Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024
Artist Reception Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM — The O’Neil Family Band will perform
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil. This exhibit is open through April at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
East Grand Forks Artist Jeanne O’Neil explained, “The focus of this show is the celebration of Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed. We are both folk musicians and visual artists, and it is fitting to bring these forms of artistic expression together, as the tunes and art are both inspired by the rural landscapes we live in.”
The newest prints in this show come from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land. “Walking the fields and pathways every day, year after year, the colors, contrasts, textures and lines of trees, grasses, sky, river are impressed in my mind, creating an accumulated knowledge of these places. The making of each print creates a deeper knowing and a stronger connection to that knowing.”
Jeanne’s daughter Erin O’Neil learned to play the fiddle by the age of seven. Erin plays by ear and the Twenty of Plenty tune book project was an effort to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians who read music. With a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the McKnight Foundation, she collaborated with a folk musician originally from Norway. The descriptions and illustration throughout the book offer insight into the meaning of the compositions. The cultural influences for these tunes include French Canadian, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish traditional fiddle music, New England Contra Dance music, Old Time Appalachian music, and Metis fiddle tunes.
Erin also has Rag Folk pieces in this exhibit. The Rag Folk represent preservation of what has been used in everyday life and creating new lives out of old scraps and rags. The Rag Folk contain memories and essences of what has passed, and the joy of childhood carried forward and honored in adulthood. Erin started creating these pieces with a passion for recycling and reducing waste and a desire to connect with others.
Jeanne and Erin both play in the O’Neil Family Band. Erin plays the fiddle and feet, while Jeanne plays the banjo and concertina. The band holds many community dances in our region.
Watch this video featuring Erin’s music for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/8lZbCEPmtik.
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be refreshments and live music by the O’Neil Family Band.
Most of the pieces in the exhibit are for sale. You can purchase at any time and pick it when the exhibit is over.
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. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about this exhibit 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. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.
Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural
There is a Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural. The deadline is April 1. The Downtown Development Association (DDA) alongside the RiverWalk Center, City of East Grand Forks, and other partners are working together to beautify downtown and promote the exceptional people, places, and things that make up our thriving region through the creation of murals. The project should result in public artwork that lasts for years and create a landmark for those who live here and visitors alike.
This project will showcase the connection between East Grand Forks and the Red River. Mural must include imagery that weaves in fish that inhabit the river and compliments an Instagrammable canoe cut-out.
For more information and the RFP visit: https://downtownforks.com/murals?fbclid=IwAR354YziA1unNu4e2VbjE6oMnRk6JuEow2wlNl56nlTUpOprBs04Q74EtpY
Community Dance with North Country Fiddle & Dance March 2
Afternoon Community Dance with North Country Fiddle and Dance
Saturday, March 2nd
2 to 4:30 PM
All are welcome, all ages, all dances are taught and are easy to learn
American traditional folk dances- reels, squares, contras, circle mixers
East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
Music by O'Neil Family Band
Donations at the door
Traveling Exhibit Visits Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Campbell Library in East Grand Forks
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This 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 currently at the Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks until February 27. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“(Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls
July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau
August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock
October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren
November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile
January 16 to February 27, 2024, Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks
February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada
March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls
*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.
**Tentatively scheduled
For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.
Lovin’ Spoonful drummer Mike Arturi will facilitate a music workshop in East Grand Forks on Tues, Oct 24
COMPAS Teaching Artist and drummer for The Lovin’ Spoonful Mike Arturi shared his story of music, experiences that gave him the life skills that guided him through a lifelong career in music, and being a teaching artist. Mike will be facilitating a music workshop at the Campbell Public Library of East Grand Forks on Tuesday, October 24 @ 6 PM. The event, funded through a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, is free and open to all ages. No drumming experience is needed! You can listen to Mike’s conversation with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West.
Community Dance with North Country Fiddle & Dance Nov 18
North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance
Saturday, November 18th 7:30 to 10:00 pm
East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Drive,
East Grand Forks
Music by O'Neil Family Band
Caller - Robin Nelson, Minneapolis, MN
Everyone is invited to a Community Dance with North Country Fiddle and Dance
These events are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund.
Student Art Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork is Open Through July 31
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces a
Student Exhibit Featuring K-12 Artwork from NW MN
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through July 31, 2023
Artist Reception Tuesday, June 27 from 6-8PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of a Student Art Exhibit, featuring K-12 Artwork from throughout Northwest Minnesota. This exhibit is open through July 31 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
The exhibit features art by area students throughout northwest Minnesota, including the schools of Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Kittson Central in Hallock, Ada-Borup West, Fosston, Tri-County in Karlstad, and Roseau.
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett said, “We have a variety of collections in this gallery from "Art Inspired by Art," to Artist in Residence mask making, to written pieces that have been published, to artwork that was chosen by area art teachers. It is all quite fascinating and inspiring to walk through our gallery and just take in the quality, creativity, and talent packed into this exhibit. I am very proud of our regional students' artwork as well as art teachers, teachers, artists in residence, parents and others who help teach and inspire our students."
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/UQX4C4upQqg.
There are 105 total pieces in the gallery divided up into four sections:
Section 1. Mask Making High School and Fifth Grade, Tri-County Schools, Karlstad / Mask Making Residency with Artist Lisa Arnold, 2023 / Photos of mixed media masks. 23 pieces with 21 students.
Section 2: Write On Roseau Community School District, Roseau / Essays for the Roseau Times-Region Newspaper from Roseau Community School District Students, 2023 / Newspaper essays NFS. There are 17 entries in this section. All were published in the paper between January and May of 2023.
Select students from Roseau Community School wrote essays of 800-1,000 words. The essays were published weekly in the Roseau Times-Region Newspaper. This project has run for four years. English teacher Kelsey Didrickson’s 12th grade college English class has contributed to this project. Artist Julie Elick explained, “This project instills the arts into our community and public life, providing a weekly place for students to enhance their writing talents. Roseau County is growing stronger each year with its encouragement of literacy. “
Section 3: Art Inspired By Art.
3a High School. This section includes artwork that was inspired by famed, as well as obscure art pieces. Students drew inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, MARINA’s song “Are you Satisfied?”, and Michael Angelo’s The Creation of Adam. One student’s work Polybius drew inspiration from an urban legend Polybius and a song by Lemon Demon called Cabinet Man. Art in this section was created by NCTC student Wyatt Bring (cat image), Ada-Borup-West student Carlie Nerhus (ceramic art), and Sacred Heart’s Sophia Modeen (skeleton hands reaching out to each other), Aalliyah Griggs (digital art of purple and pink pieces of paper), Rhilynn Leroux Peters (red/orange swirl sky painting), and Mackenzie Gjerswold (video game painting). Total of 6 pieces.
3b: Kindergarten Students. Kittson Central School, Hallock Pigeons, 2023. Kwik Stix tempera paint pens on paper 12 x 18 inches.19 pieces. Pigeons Kindergarten students at Kittson Central in Hallock created pigeons as a directed drawing of the character from Mo Willems’ books that follow the adventures of pigeon and his friends. (For example, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus). They learned to use shapes to create the character and then added a colorful background.
Section 4: General Student art chosen by art teachers. This section has artwork from Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fosston, Ada-Borup-West, and Warren Alvarado-Oslo. It features pen and ink, pencil, acrylic on canvas, mixed media, pottery, glass casting jewelry, Styrofoam prints, woodblock prints, watercolor pencils, watercolor, chalk, linoleum block print, oil pastels, aluminum metal embossing, and digital artwork. There are a total of 40 pieces in this section.
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at the end of June in conjunction with the 101 Dalmatians play at Northland Community and Technical College. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. Stay tuned for details.
The exhibit will be open on Thursday, July 27 during the Art & Wine Walk and the musical at NCTC.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours in the summer are Monday-Thursday from 8:00-4:30 PM, Fridays from 8:00 AM to Noon, and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about our exhibits please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.
North Country Fiddle & Dance presents lynx lynx June 19
North Country Fiddle and Dance and EGF Campbell Library presents
lynx lynx
Monday, June 19th 20237 to 9 pm
East Grand Forks Campbell Library
422 4th Street N.W.
Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian- Swedish folk music duo – lynx lynx. The variety of strings includes fiddles, Hardanger fiddles, guitars, and even a mandolin. The mix of tunes is put together by both their original and traditional Nordic fiddle tunes.This is what music sounds like between two Scandinavian transplants in the Midwest coming together to share their fiddle tunes
Admission is free will donation at the door
North Country Fiddle & Dance Spring Dance April 29
North Country Fiddle and Dance
Spring Dance
Saturday, April 29
7:30 to 10:00 pm
Live music with Tickwoods String Band of Fergus Falls
Caller : Jeanne O'Neil
East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
East Grand Forks
All ages -singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...
all dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door. Find them online at northcountrydance.org.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the MN State Legislature with money from the State general fund.
North Country Fiddle & Dance Events Feb 26 and March 18
North Country Fiddle & Dance has 2 upcoming events in February and March. Both are free to attend!
February 26 from 1 to 3 PM in Warren
Marshall County Historical Society , in collaboration with North Country Fiddle and Dance, is hosting an afternoon Community Dance at Settler's Square, 808 E. Johnson Ave. in. Warren. This community dance is from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It features live music by O'Neil Family Band.
Donations at the door
All are welcome!
Saturday, March 18 from 7:30 to 10 pm in East Grand Forks
North Country Fiddle and Dance will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Dance from 7:30 to 10:00 pm.
Live music with O'Neil Family Band
Caller: Shawn Glidden of St.Paul MN
East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
East Grand Forks
All ages -singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...
All dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door
To learn more find them online at northcountrydance.org.
North Country Fiddle and Dance New Year Dance January 28 Open to Everyone!
North Country Fiddle and Dance
“New Year Dance”
Saturday, January 28
7:30 to 10:00 pm
live music with Four Mile Portage of Duluth
Callers: Tom Maloney, Brandy Forsman and Jeanne O'Neil
East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
East Grand Forks
All ages -singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...
all dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers arts programming
The Campbell Library in East Grand Forks regularly offers new and exciting programming. January programming includes:
The library will be starting a new Sensory Storytime with Miss Andrea on January 11th @ 10am. This activity helps engage the 5 senses while the group reads stories and sings songs.
UND Chemistry Club will be hosting a Children's Chemistry Day on January 22nd @ 2p, exploring the science of polymerization and creating a bowl of gelatinous worms'.
A photo & video workshop will be held on Thursday, January 26th from 5:30p-6:30p with special guest speaker Robert Benda, videographer from the UND Marketing & Creative Services Department. Learn basic techniques--camera settings, lighting, photo and video editing--and how you can apply them in your work, hobbies, and social media. Q&A session will tackle specific questions you have about your camera or projects.
These are just a few of the events and activities that will be coming to the library this month. If you have any questions about an upcoming event or program, feel free to contact Robyn Johnson Benda at the library or call the library front desk at 218-773-9121.
North Country Fiddle & Dance Saturday, Nov 12 Live Music and Dance
North Country Fiddle and Dance “Harvest Dance”
Saturday, November 12 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm
live music with the O'Neil Family Band
Caller: Jeanne O'Neil
East Grand Forks Senior Center 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E. East Grand Forks, MN
All ages -singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...all dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door. For more info visit northcountrydance.org.
Siama’s Congo Roots Oct 17 in East Grand Forks
Siama’s Congo Roots Oct 17 in East Grand Forks at the Campbell Library showcase music and storytelling.
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers Art Workshop for Adults with Disabilities
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers art workshop for adults with disabilities on October 14 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.