Region 2 Arts Council Awards $18,000 in Artist Support Grants
On February 20, 2025 the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors, with support from a community panel review on February 11th, awarded $18,000 to artists from within our five-county region. These grants provide financial assistance to artists/creators/artisans/craftspeople (painters, writers, musicians, dancers, woodcarvers, knitters, filmmakers, sculptors, jewelry makers, poets, potters, basket makers, etc.) or culture bearers in any stage, beginning to expert, of their creative development, that reside in the Minnesota counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen.
The Artist Support Grant program is supported by the McKnight Foundation through a grant to fund costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of creative work, purchase of materials or equipment to create works of art, educational opportunities in the arts, and other opportunities to enhance an artist’s development such as working with a mentor artist, attending a national conference, taking part in an artist residency program, or marketing themselves or their work.
Keila McCracken of Turtle River was awarded $2,000 to explore woven pattern structures, natural hues, and fiber treatments using black and cream sheep's wool for textile development on a Hattersley loom to highlight wool's natural organic texture.
Joseph Holt of Bemidji was awarded $1,458 to purchase a used recording studio "channel strip" to help facilitate better quality in his audio recordings for his work as a singer/songwriter.
Kristina Hamilton of Williams was awarded $2,000 to purchase supplies to create and package her hand-made wire wrapped crystals and stone jewelry.
Brian Dow of Bemidji was awarded $1,145 to purchase leather and tools to create hand crafted regalia belts hand-painted in the Woodland style.
Tawnnee Corning of Bagley was awarded $2,000 to purchase supplies to create a new series of oil paintings incorporating elements foraged from nature.
Ann Gorman of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase metal photography prints and supplemental supplies for two exhibits, and supplies for two corresponding mindfulness community workshops.
Ryann Wallin of Puposky was awarded $1,454 to pay for private violin lessons with Dr. Eric Olson and to attend the Summer String Institute in Bemidji.
Lera Hephner of Mahnomen was awarded $1,943 to purchase a computer to aid in graphic design, promotional videos, and photos to showcase her beadwork, quilling, birch bark biting, regalia making, and digital art.
Jon Heller of Solway was awarded $2,000 to purchase camera stabilizing tools to help him elevate his storytelling abilities and produce compelling film projects.
Tami Montgomery-Henriksen of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase professional color pencils, paper, and storage for her studio and framing of her drawings for gallery shows.
Image description: From left to Right is Patrick Calder-Carriere (executive director for R2Arts) next to Brian Dow, a receiver of an Artist Support Grant. Both stand in front of an orange wall, holding brightly painted floral leather belts in a traditional ojibwe floral pattern. Created by Brian Dow. Region 2 Arts Council Artist Support Grants are made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation