Region 2 Arts Council Awards $18,000 in Artist Support Grants

The Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors, with support from a community panel, 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 residing 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.

Kelli Lien of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to replenish supplies used to create watercolor paintings, provide for limited professional framing, and purchase supplies needed for a new focus on lettering arts.

Lowell Wolff of Park Rapids was awarded $2,000 to print and mount photographs relating to trees for a 16-piece exhibit including monochrome, color and infrared photos printed on rolled canvas with hand-made exotic hardwood stretchers.

John Henningsgaard of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to hire musicians and an audio engineer to produce an album of original music.

Iris Giard of Naytahwaush was awarded $1,468 to purchase beads, beading equipment, and supplies for community beading circles where participants can create culturally grounded regalia and beadwork in a traditional setting.

Hattie Peterson of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase silver materials for her upcoming jewelry show and spring and summer pop-ups in her downtown studio, Tumbled Heart Designs.

Fred McGregor of Akeley was awarded $1,393 to purchase essential equipment for the creation of traditional birch bark crafts, as well as photography of his work and software to facilitate online sales, inventory tracking, and outreach to educators and cultural partners.

Corey Medina of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to travel and present solo live performances of original music, supporting artistic development, audience connection, and expanded performance opportunities.

Susan Tomte of Park Rapids was awarded $1,285 to upgrade the display of her landscape paintings, to purchase equipment to create limited edition fine-art cards and display materials for public events, and improve online promotion of her work.

Michelle Bedford of Bemidji was awarded $1,854 to develop a professional website, secure high-quality artwork images, and prepare materials to approach galleries for an exhibition of ten paintings inspired by dreams she has received for humanity.

Jesse Westrum of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase materials and equipment to create, market, and display for a new body of work exploring contemporary use of rattan and willow in traditional weaving techniques.

Region 2 Arts Council Artist Support Grants are made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation