FY 2012 Legacy Funded Artist Mentor Grants Awarded

The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008, has made it possible for the Region 2 Arts Council to award $6,599 in Artist Mentor Grants to young artists in our region for the third year in a row.

This spring, eleven Region 2 Arts Council Artist Mentor grants were awarded to eleven 9th -12th grade student artists to mentor with a professional artist or attend a workshop in their arts discipline.

Kailey Babcock, Trek North student from Bemidji, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Malisa VanMaasdam, also of Bemidji, to refine her drawing skills, expand her subject matter, and broaden her skills in painting.

Kylie Bamberger, Blackduck High School student, was awarded $600 to mentor with professional photographer Joe Rossi, also of Blackduck.

Brea Blankenfeld, Trek North student of Bemidji, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Nicholas Jackson, also of Bemidji, to improve her skills in watercolor.

Gwenfrewi Burger, Trek North student of Bemidji, was awarded $600 to mentor with Karen Bradley, also of Bemidji, to improve her technique, expand her range of expressivity, and build her repertoire in voice.

Justice Deeter, Trek North student of Bemidji, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Nina Lubarski, also of Bemidji, to explore new drawing techniques, learn to show positive and negative space, and experiment with a variety of surfaces and materials.

Rebecca Eckdahl, Trek North student from Blackduck, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Terry Honstead of Bemidji, to improve her technical skills and increase her ability to express emotion in her drawing and painting.

Shyanne Kaml, Bemidji High School student, was awarded $600 to mentor with Pat Surface of Ely, MN increase her audience reach and expand her range in songwriting.

Rebekah Kjolhaug, Clearbrook/Gonvick HS student from Clearbrook, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Pamela Edevold of Bagley, to explore chalk pastels, colored pencil, and learn to express light and shadow.

Kailee Martens, Bemidji High School student, was awarded $599 to attend 2 workshops for young writers at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Lynn S. Masino, Blackduck High School senior, was awarded $600 to mentor with professional photographer Joe Rossi, also of Blackduck, in photography.

Annikka Roy, Trek North student of Solway, was awarded $600 to mentor with visual artist Maureen O’Brien, also of Solway, to expand her range in the use of tools, surfaces, and media in her artwork.

It's never too early to begin to consider applying for a 2013 Region 2 Arts Council Artist Mentor Grant. The next Artist Mentor Grant application deadline is April 4, 2013. Region 2 Arts Council staff is always happy to talk about this grants program to 8th-12th grade student artists, their parents, teachers, and professional artists interested in mentoring. Please contact Region 2 Arts Council at 218 751-5447 / 1800 275-5447 or email us at staff@r2arts.org for more information. All updated R2AC grant application forms will be available in July at the Region 2 Arts Council office, 426 Bemidji Ave N. Bemidji, MN 56601, or on our website at r2arts.org.