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4.23.25 Rena Zapata Bouchard
This week Rena Zapata Bouchard spoke with Phil. Rena will be receiving the Arts Advocate of the Year Award on Sunday, April 27 in Crookston at our Awards Reception and Program.
Rena spoke about how she got involved in Studio 110, what they offer, and being a make-up artist and a photographer. She coordinates all the activities there now.
A certified freelance makeup artist and portrait photographer, Rena is passionate about empowering others and using the arts as a tool for social change. In 2019, she spearheaded the creation of Studio 110, a permanent space dedicated to digital storytelling for youth and adults in Crookston and the surrounding area and has continued in an active leadership role with the organization.
A satellite site since 1996 for Minneapolis organization In Progress, Studio 110 first offered summer programs called Fresh Voices in Crookston. In high school, Rena participated in one of their sessions. Later in 2018, she enrolled her kids, and she joined them to chaperone and never left. There she learned portraiture and has continued to hone her craft.
Studio 110 has become a space for media arts creativity with themes related to breaking stereotypes and acceptance. It is open to everyone. Media arts is art made looking through a lens like photography and video. Rena helps students who identify as persons of color find a welcoming home base at Studio 110. She coordinates media arts workshops, bringing in talented professional artists from across the nation to teach and empower those who come to the downtown Crookston location. She also podcasts and utilizes her makeup artistry in creative projects with the students and offers free family portraits during themed holiday events at Studio 110.
This award will be presented on Sunday, April 27 in Crookston at the University of Minnesota. Everyone is welcome to attend. 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.
4.16.25 Glen Henry
Our featured guest this week was Glen Henry, the juror of our NW Art Exhibit in Crookston this year. The exhibit features 128 pieces of art by student and adult artists residing in a seven-county region including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau and Red Lake. The winners will be recognized at the Northwest Minnesota Artist Reception in Crookston on April 27.
Glen Henry is a versatile and accomplished Indigenous artist whose creative journey spans a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, and graphic design. He is the Director of Exhibitions at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
He received his BA and MFA from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Throughout his career, Glen has built a distinctive artistic voice, blending traditional techniques with modern digital approaches. His artwork often explores themes of identity, culture, and the complex intersections of the past and present, while using bold, expressive color palettes and innovative design methods. As an Indigenous artist, he incorporates aspects of his culture into his work, allowing for a unique narrative that resonates with both personal and universal experiences.
Glen spoke about what he looks for when he jurors an exhibition, including subject matter, potential, original thought, style, creativity, and skill level. He noticed that this exhibit included a lot of plein air imagery, landscapes, the outdoors, forestry, and animal life. which makes sense given our location. He reads the inspiration for or interpretation of the piece as he judges.
When asked what advice he would give to artists who are considering submitting their work for exhibits, he said “Be confident that you will be finished in time. Be courageous and have perseverance. It takes courage to show your work.”
Currently, MSUM has a BFA exhibition up at the Diederich Art Gallery. Glen spoke about the art program at the school and upcoming exhibits.
The NW Art Exhibit is open until Sunday, April 27.
4.9.25 Trey Everett and Ross Hier
Crookston Artists Trey Everett and Ross Hier spoke about their background and road to becoming artists. Last summer they painted a mural together in East Grand Forks that featured over 30 species of fish. Trey has also painted a number of murals elsewhere, including some at the Golden Link Senior Center. There’s one in Crookston on the Ace Hardware exterior wall that Ross helped him with. They will be painting a mural in Fosston together this summer.
Trey also spoke about being the Showcase Specialist for the Arts Council and NWMAC exhibits, including the NW Art Exhibit in Crookston at the University of Minnesota and Welcome the Whimsical (there is a call for art right now for 3rd grade on up through adult).
4.2.25 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke about many current opportunities and activities related to the arts in our region. This include upcoming grant deadlines (for organizations and individuals), the annual NW Art Exhibit at UMC open right now until April 27, Of the Year awards (NW Star Award Darcy Reese of Thief River Falls, Artist of the Year Loreen Hanson of Thief River Falls, and Arts Advocate of the Year Rena Zapata Bouchard of Crookston), the Awards Reception and Program on Sunday, April 27, and Welcome the Whimsical Exhibit Call for Art. Listen for all the details!
3.26.25 Samantha Buckley
Thief River Falls native Samantha Buckley is this week’s featured podcast guest. Samantha was active in TRFACT during her time in Thief River. After high school, she attended college and graduated from Mankato State with a BFA. Afterwards, she moved to the Twin Cities and acted in a variety of shows, including being an understudy in a performance at the Minnesota Children’s Theater. Samantha now lives and acts in Chicago. Listen to hear her advice for aspiring performers and about her experiences as an actor, singer, and voice artist.
3.19.25 Brayden Drevlow Part 2
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. This is the second part of their conversation. Brayden is a talented pianist. In the first part of the conversation he shared the challenges of practices his instrument when he travels. They spoke about how few pianos he finds internationally and the overuse of these pianos. Because of this, he has learned how to fix pianos. He fixes the pianos before his concerts. Now, when he returns to Minnesota for 3 to 4 months a year, he tunes and works on about 1,000 pianos. He also searches out pianos when he travels, fixes them, and performs.
Brayden has an upcoming concert in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Listen to hear their conversation.
3.12.25 Brayden Drevlow
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. They spoke about some of Brayden’s upcoming concerts — March 15 and 16 with the Bismark Symphony and one in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Besides being a world traveler, Brayden is a talented pianist. He attended Concordia for piano performance. He’s performed quite a bit internationally, including Siberia and Africa. He shared the challenges of practicing his instrument when he travels. Listen to hear the first part of their conversation.
3.5.25 Kat Allen
Warroad Artist Kat Allen spoke about working on the NWMAC Artists of NW Minnesota booklet as the graphic designer. Kat is a children’s author and visual artist, as well as a graphic designer. This resource is available on the NWMAC website here and in hard copy throughout the region (at libraries and other spots). The booklet highlights regional artists, arts businesses, and organizations that serve artists or offer arts programming. Each listing includes a photo of the artist and what they create or offer. The booklet also lists performing artists like musicians and bands. Kat also spoke about her books and one that will be published soon. Listen to the conversation to learn more!
2.26.25 Leslie LeCuyer Part 2
This week’s podcast continues the conversation with Leslie LeCuyer, Executive Director of Central Minnesota’s Art Council. Leslie spoke about projects that the Central Minnesota Arts Board provided funding for and the impacts of those projects. She also spoke about legislators and how important their support for the arts is. (hence the importance of Arts Advocacy Day) Leslie explained that art can build community and develop relationships. “The arts allow us to escape and address our emotions… The arts are an essential need.” Arts Advocacy is March 4 and you can see Leslie there. Listen to hear all the details of the conversation.
2.19.25 Leslie LeCuyer
Central Minnesota Regional Arts Director Leslie LeCuyer spoke with Phil this week. Leslie has a long history in the arts in Minnesota. She has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, as a county board member, on the board of the Perpich Center for the Arts, and she’s a visual artist. Leslie spoke about her background, the importance of Arts Advocacy Day, the Legacy Amendment, and more. Listen to Part 1 of 2 of this conversation.
2.12.25 Isaiah Burkel
Isaiah Burkel is a classically trained singer (a tenor) from Thief River Falls. He acted in the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater as he grew up in northwest Minnesota. He has sung with the Minnesota Opera in the chorus. Listen to his conversation with Phil about his career, experience, the impact of participating in theater in his youth, how the Minnesota Opera works, his advice, and more!
2.5.25 Beau Bakken
Hallock Artist Beau Bakken spoke about his art, the background of and his work in the current exhibit Around the Farm, his artistic influences, painting murals, and more. He continues to think about what his high school art teacher Kay Rosengren told him,“Paint what you see and not what you think you see.” He is the featured artist in the current NWMAC Gallery exhibit Around the Farm. Listen to hear more.
1.29.25 Dane Froiland
Thief River Falls Public Schools Choir Director Dane Froiland spoke with Phil McKenzie about his teaching career, returning to Thief River to teach, the music that he teaches, his goals for the program, and upcoming concerts. He studied under former teacher Darcy Reese. Listen to learn about Dane and the choral program in Thief River Falls schools.
1.22.25 Sarah Fossen
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) Executive Director Sarah Fossen spoke with Phil McKenzie this week. MCA recently turned 50 years old. Sarah shared information about what MCA is and what they do, arts funding including the Legacy Amendment, Creative Minnesota, the research they do, MCA’s PAC, the benefits of the arts, her own arts background, and the upcoming Arts Advocacy Day on March 4 (register at artsmn.org). Listen for all the details!
1.15.25 Christina Woods (part 2)
Christina Woods, Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute, continued her conversation with Phil McKenzie. They spoke of her roles serving on the State of Minnesota CAAPB Task force on Monuments and Statues and on the State of Minnesota Capitol Arts Exhibitions Committee, bringing her unique viewpoint and background, and more. Woods also serves on the Minnesota Arts Board. Listen to hear part 2 of the conversation.
1.8.25 Christina Woods
Christina Woods, Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute, spoke about being the first Anishinaabe leader of the Duluth Art Institute, the organization, and her focus on decolonization. Christina serves on the Minnesota Arts Board, as well as a number of other arts boards. Listen to hear part 1 of her conversation with Phil McKenzie!
12.18.24 Sue Gens
Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens explained the arts systems in Minnesota, specifically the state Arts Board, the regional arts councils, funding for artists, and much more. Sue shares her extensive knowledge about grant programs, resources, opportunities, and how best to utilize the system. Listen to the podcast for details!
12.11.24 Aaron Espe
Roseau native and Nashville singer Aaron Espe plays the guitar and writes music. He is playing in Thief River Falls (at Our Saviours Lutheran Church on Dec 14), Roseau (at the Covenant church on Dec15), and Lancaster (at the Covenant church on Dec 16). He spoke about his path to his musical career and offered advice and thoughts for aspiring musicians. Many of his songs have northern Minnesota themes. Listen to learn more and hear a song by Aaron.
12.4.24 John Davis
Warroad RiverPlace Executive Director John Davis spoke with Phil McKenzie about his arts background and the new Warroad arts facility RiverPlace. The space is a multi-purpose facility with an arts classroom, gallery, theater, events center, video wall, exhibit space, and more. Visit warroadriverplace.org to see the schedule of events. Listen to hear all about it!
11.27.24 Anne Johnson
Perpich Arts High School Admissions Director Anne Johnson spoke about the creation of the Perpich Center for the Arts, the resources they offer, the school itself, and admissions (everyone is eligible to apply; the application deadline is Feb 1). The school focuses on arts including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater and musical theater, and visual art. Students are taught to think creatively. Visit their website at perpich.gov. Listen to learn more about this resource in our state!