06-04-2025
Region 2 Arts Council awards $18,000 in Artist Support Grants
Apr. 6—BEMIDJI — With the support of a community panel review, the Region 2 Arts Council recently awarded $18,000 to individual artists from within its five-county region.
According to a release, these grants provide financial assistance to artists in any artistic discipline and at any stage of their career residing in the counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen.
"The Artist Support Grant program is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation to fund costs associated with the exhibition, performance or production of creative work, purchase of equipment or materials 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," the release said.
The following artists received grants:
* 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 handmade 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.
