Here are some current and upcoming exhibits (including calls for art)!
Tag Archives: NWMAC Gallery
Call for Entries: Black Lives Matter Exhibit
Call for Entries
Deadline December 1
In Honor of MLK Day and Black History Month
Black Lives Matters Art Exhibit
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls
January 8 – February 28, 2021
Warren, Minnesota – The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce a call for entries for an exhibition of artwork that honors Black Lives Matter. Our country, and much of the world, is aware of Black Lives Matter. In honor of Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month, it is especially timely that we come together to create art that reflects the spirit of BLM.


Artists and creatives in NW Minnesota are invited to create artwork that reflects the theme Black Lives Matter. Artwork may consist of painting, drawings, mixed media, carvings, film, fiber, poems, songs, as well as a host of other mediums. We welcome a variety of art forms!
Artwork must be submitted for jury via photo in an email. It will only be accepted, if it supports the Black Lives Matter movement. Inquire beforehand if you have questions about this. Please email photo of artwork along with your name, contact information, title of artwork, size of artwork, and medium to Trey Everett at trey.crxpres@midconetwork.com by December 1. If selected, artists may drop off art work at their choice of three locations, Crookston on December 14, Warren on December 15, or Thief River Falls on December 17. Times and exact locations of drop-off will be given at a later date.
The art installation, Black Lives Matter will be open from January 8 through February 28, 2021 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland College and Technical School in Thief River Falls. Please visit our website for more information: www.NWArtsCouncil.org.
Bakken: The Artistry of Father and Son at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC
Bakken: The Artistry of Father and Son
An Art Exhibition Featuring Rock Bakken and Beau Bakken
at the
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
at NCTC in Thief River Falls
October 1- November 30, 2020
Artist Reception is Saturday, October 24 from 2 to 5 pm

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce an exhibition of artwork by father and son regional artists Rock and Beau Bakken. The art exhibit installation, Bakken: The Artistry of Father and Son will open October 1 and run through November 30 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

Mara Hanel, Director of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council comments, “We have had our Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit for twenty-one years now, and there is rarely a year that Rock or Beau Bakken of Hallock do not show their paintings. I’m proud to say that both father and son have won 1st prize in our annual exhibit. Rock also has won people’s choice so often, that we always anticipate that he will garner many votes! I am excited that we will feature their art in our gallery at NCTC this fall.”


Visitors to the gallery will see why Rock Bakken is well known in the area for his detailed drawings and paintings of animals and birds. He places them in landscapes that depict our area and forests of the north, in a style that is popular, especially with men who enjoy high quality wildlife art. Rock takes his originals and creates high quality prints and greeting cards that are available for purchase at his store Bakken Boots in Hallock and at arts and craft fairs throughout the valley. Our gallery will feature his originals for sale, so if you are a business looking to buy art, this showcase will interest you. Rock also has created portraits and is available for commission.


Mara goes on to say, “Then you have Rock’s son Beau, who is a talented artist also. Beau was selected to receive our prestigious Artist of the Year award. He is known for his large mural paintings in Hallock, Kennedy, Red Lake Falls and other towns in the Red River Valley. My husband owns six large movie posters created by Beau, that we are putting on display for this show only. Come see our private collection that features the movies of Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, My Fair Lady, Saving Private Ryan, Tommy Boy, and A Bug’s Life. His attention to detail while recreating the movie posters, for our private commission, is amazing.”


This show will feature several of Beau’s large acrylic paintings, with many for sale. They are different than his father’s — often depicting parks and street scenes from foreign locations, in a painting style that is expressive and loose.
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 A. Visitor parking is free and at this time in the large end lot.
Please join us for an Artists Reception on Saturday, October 24 from 2 to 5pm!

Rock and Beau have a number of pieces of art for sale.
Rock’s include:
The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep Winter Wolf Image 30 x 40 inches, original acrylic, $2,500.
Layers of Color Prairie Sunrise image, 11 x 14 inches, original acrylic, $235.
Red Sky in Morning Red sunrise image, 5 x 16 inches, original acrylic, $125.
Forty Shades of Green Coastal Ireland Image, 23 x 30 inches, original acrylic, $775.
Bison Skull, framed pencil drawing limited edition print, 19 x 20, $120.
Whitetail Deer, framed pencil drawing limited edition print, 16 x 20, $120.
Here are some pieces of Beau’s artwork for sale:
Barcelona, Spain People walking in city alley, original acrylic, $500.
Busy Market Vendor selling veggies, original acrylic, $750.
Duluth, MN Downtown Duluth, original acrylic, $400.
Pond Near Louve Ducks in pond with green chairs, original acrylic, $500
Toulouse, France City scene with people and woman on bike, original acrylic, no dimensions, $600.
For more information about our exhibits look to 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) 280-4917 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation. 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.