2010 Northwest Minnesota Artist of the Year

Jean Ranstrom is both a talented artist and an arts inspiration for our area.  Jean’s resume is filled with award recognitions and a host of exhibitions.  The first part of her artist career was spent operating a traveling art workshop business.  Then she owned and operated an art teaching studio and gallery in White Bear Lake, Minnesota from 1991-2003.  She moved to Arizona and taught private classes and workshops at the Los Reyes Gallery before returning to northwest Minnesota three years ago. 

“Jean offers an opportunity for people in the region to let go of their busy lives for a few moments, to enjoy the unique satisfaction that comes with producing art.  She helps people take the time to learn about art and be creative.” Nancy Mattson writes in her nomination letter.  Nancy candidly says, “Not being familiar with pastel painting (as I mistakenly thought all painting was done with a brush), Jean patiently demonstrated her pastel medium to me.”  Jean said in her interview with Nancy for the newspaper that every artist has an affinity for a medium and hers is painting with pastels.  Jean has taught numerous classes on pastel painting for 40 years and is beginning to teach other artists from her expanded home studio in Alvarado.

Donilyn Bergman, director of Heartland Academy school in Alvarado writes that, “The enthusiasm Jean brings to her work and her instruction is contagious.  Jean expressed a desire to keep teaching students and Heartland Academy was more than eager to have her instruction. She teaches a one-hour art class to students grades 2-8 on a bi-weekly basis.  Her lessons are varied and age/ability appropriate.  Jean’s professionalism is not missed by the students.  They know they have a wonderful opportunity to be taught by a master and eagerly await her classes.” 

“Jean’s tireless energy is exciting and contagious.  Watching Jean work in front of a class of painters is a true inspiration.  Her contribution to the arts in our region is profound,” states Alice Beaudry proudly.  

Congratulations to Jean Ranstrom, Northwest Artist of the Year!

2010 Northwest Minnesota Artist of the Year

Frances Karlsson was chosen in memory of her lifelong contributions as an artist, mentor, and instructor in our region.  Frances dedicated her life to promoting the arts and encouraging others to be creative.  Her resume was filled with exhibitions and awards for her paintings and graphic designs.  Frances even designed our logo for our Arts Council over 20 years ago.  In the early 50’s she did individual Christmas scenes for each lamp post in downtown Roseau, about 24.  She did a stage mural for the County Fair, many booklets, and book covers, program folders, and spot illustrations.  She also did many, many chalk talks in churches and was a founder of Roseau Area Arts Association and a very active member of Artist’s Unlimited visual art group.   

“As an artist, I hope to make the viewer take a second look, arouse a memory or feel an emotion.  I strive for transparency and light, the feeling of distance in prairies, the glint of a church steeple, the pattern of tree branches... looking for the beauty of shape, color and contrast.”  Frances says in her artist statement, “I believe that I have bloomed where I was planted and now wish to give that blossom wings.”

Frances was an artist through and through.  From the time she, at age 20, moved to Roseau County until her death in December 2009, she found ways to practice her art and share her talents.  Annette Hermansen writes, “In the early years, Frances secured free lance commercial art jobs and sent them off to distant publishers.  However, she did not concentrate selfishly on developing only her own career.  Whenever, she found small solitary sprouts of creative talent here and there on our flat prairie, she began to nurture that emerging talent in children and adults.  I am one of them.  Her influence has been immeasurable.”

Ann Novacek, an artist friend of Frances from Greenbush writes, “She was my first drawing instructor 30 years ago!  Frances has shared her art skills in sketching, watercolor, oils, and pastels.  Artist’s Unlimited is very fortunate to have had her as a member.  She has held office, been our mentor, inspiration, and our friend for many years.  Many residents of northwestern Minnesota have greatly increased their appreciation of art during her 60+ years in the northland!”

2009 Northwest Minnesota Artist of the Year

Gary Stegman was chosen as artist of the year to honor his contributions to public art throughout Crookston, his visual art talent, and his ability to inspire the art of his students.  “Gary is a bright, energetic, organized and creative person.” Jim Kent writes of his colleague Gary Stegman.  “He is a practicing artist with several pieces of community art in the city of Crookston.” Gary’s public art pieces throughout Crookston include a steel sculpture of a pirate ship at the high school, a wooden relief donor tree at the Crookston Library, a mural painting on the wall of the Grand Theater, and a ceramic wall relief in RiverView Hospital. 

Dale and Mary Ann Knotek write that, “Gary Stegman’s art room showcases the creativity he has stimulated in many students who have had the opportunity to participate in his classes.  Gary’s undergraduate degree was in music.  He knows that all forms of fine arts contribute to the total personality and well-being of his students.  He encourages them to participate in musical organizations whenever possible.”

Gary is currently developing a series of original pieces of art that combine music lyrics with visual illustrations.

“Mr. Stegman is a wonderful role model for his students. He has inspired many of them to pursue art projects and compete in art competitions.  Many of his students spend every moment they can spare, working on projects in the art room.   His calm, cheerful personality always welcomes students to his classroom.” writes Alvern Wentzel. 

Congratulations to Gary Stegman, Northwest Artist of the Year!

2009 Northwest Minnesota Arts Advocate of the Year

Honey Olson was chosen as arts advocate of the year for her dedication and commitment in visual, design, and theater arts.  Honey is known as a great asset and voice for the arts within her small, rural community of Ada. 

“I believe Honey represents the arts and is a great advocate for the arts in every aspect of her life.  Her support of the arts in our community can be seen in many places and felt in the hearts of many people.  She truly lives an artistic life,” writes Mindy Kinkade in her nomination letter.  “What I feel is the most admirable aspect of Honey’s impact on the arts is how her support spans the generations.”  She has been instrumental in set decoration and drama coaching at the high school, in Missoula children’s theater productions for youth, and weekly art class at the nursing homes. 

“Honey enjoys being engaged in our community activities involving the arts,” writes Joyce Schlagel.  She volunteers and spearheads design projects involving church windows and park landscapes.  Her home and garden are a welcoming artistic retreat area in the town of Ada.  Cammie Sorenson writes, “Many senior citizens have been encouraged by Honey to find and express their artistic talent.  In addition, she has put on many artistic programs and displays for them - always with a touch of nostalgia.” 

Honey served as a board member on the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council for six years.  She was a dedicated council woman, very conscientious, and took her position seriously.  Mindy Kinkade writes, “I was motivated to attend several Northwest Minnesota Arts events because of her encouragement.  She is most certainly a voice for the arts regionally.” Honey is an active visual artist creating abstract paintings, stain glass designs, jewelry, and yard decor. 

 “I can not think of anyone more deserving of this award.  She has impacted the arts by her contributions large and small.  Where there is art in our community and region, chances are, so will be Honey.”

2008 Northwest Minnesota Artists of the Year

Bernie Wilebski, Kennedy

Bernie is pictured on the left accepting her award from Arts Council Chair Cindy Tsukichi (right). 

Ann Novacek, a fellow artist from Greenbush writes, "Bernie has been involved for many years giving painting lessons to adults and students, in community education and schools in North Dakota and Minnesota. Usually, her only pay for teaching students has been for mileage, only because she feels it is so important for the students to learn the art of painting and drawing."

Shirley Pederson wrote glowingly about Bernie’s mural paintings in the area. Loreen Hanson’s letter specifically mentioned murals at the Lake Bronson Museum, the Hallock Community Center, and the Greenbush Swimming Pool building that Bernie helped paint. Loreen also mentions that Bernie is always interested in increasing her own knowledge of Art. She is an active member of Artists Unlimited and has just been elected as their President for the next three years.

"Bernie or Mrs. W comes to Adams Elementary once a month," writes Karla Schock a 3rd grade teacher. "The lessons she teaches our students are unforgettable and ongoing. Bernie uses the correct terminology and does specific activities that match our ND state standards. She brings in armloads of materials, including art samples, magazines, paintings, and supplies every month. She often buys supplies for schools using her own money. The paintings and projects that she has done personally and with our students are amazing. Her patience with the students is remarkable. She also gets our students involved in various projects locally and nationally. This month the students are entering a duck stamp competition. Bernie thoroughly enjoys art! I firmly believe Bernie Wilebski deserves this award."

2008 Northwest Minnesota Arts Advocate of the Year

Annette Hermansen, Roseau

Annette is pictured here helping hang our Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit!  Volunteering in the arts is her passion. 

"To push for something" was one of the definitions of advocate that appeared in an online dictionary. Annette Hermansen certainly fits that description," writes Leanne Johnson in her nomination letter. "She has pushed for recognition of the arts since she and her family moved to Roseau in 1976. Her tireless efforts to recognize visual artists in a monthly art show at the library have drawn many visitors to both the old building and the new facility. Artists from many parts of northwestern Minnesota have had their pieces shown, admired, and purchased."

Leanne continues to write that, "Annette is very good at getting people in northwestern Minnesota to write, to enjoy writing, and to submit their pieces for publication. A brief look at the 12 annual issues of Regional Ramblings will testify to the number of writers and artists who have gained confidence through Annette’s discussions to have their creative efforts published for everyone to see and read." Regional Ramblings is a 40 page publication of prose, poetry, and illustrations. In 2004, Annette was co-editor and marketing chairman for Iggam’s Dreams, a collection of short stories and illustrations by local journalist and author Maggi Adams who died at the time of the Roseau flood in 2002. Proceeds from the book are used to develop the Children’s area in the new library.

Annette is an encourager and a promoter. She has written countless news releases about area functions and the people connected with them from many different towns and even states. She is an arts patron having purchased many local paintings to hang in the local library. She is an educator and a painter and a writer herself. Many people wrote about Annette’s abilities to lead, organize, and participate. Many wrote about her being a charter member in Roseau Area Arts Association and Roseau Friends of the Library. It was hard to condense the many decades, of often nationally recognized, successful projects that have filled Annette’s life in Roseau onto this one sheet of paper. She is an outstanding advocate and we are pleased to recognize her with our award.