The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce an exhibition of painted portraits, stories and mixed media by Christine Foster and a jingle dress-inspired sculpture by Stephanie Olson. The art installation, Hope & Freedom: Mending the Soul, is now open through November 30 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland College and Technical School in Thief River Falls.
Christine Foster is an artist and teacher from Thief River Falls, MN. She received a $5,000 Artist Project Grant from NWMAC to create art in 2016 for her showcase, Hope & Freedom: Mending the Soul, which features paintings of women who have previously been abused and have since found help and redemption. The exhibit also features each woman’s story next to her painted portrait.
Thief River Falls Artist Stephanie Olson will display her jingle cone dress-inspired sculpture in this exhibit. Influenced by traditional indigenous skirts, this sculpture was made of jingle cone beads, metal wire, hand-dyed cotton twine, leather lacing, feathers, and red paint to raise awareness and support for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Each jingle cone bead was sponsored, meaning each bead represents an effort toward the cause of supporting funds and increased awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women. Each jingle cone bead also bears a name, either the name of the sponsor or a name they chose in honor or memory. This sculpture was able to raise over $500 for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center.
A disproportionate number of Native American women and girls are missing or murdered each year. This national epidemic has started to receive more attention. In Minnesota, the state recently launched a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Task Force to study the issue and make recommendations to address the problem. You can learn more about this issue at this powerful exhibit.
Christine and Stephanie will be available at the Artist Reception on Thursday, November 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B. Visitor parking is free in front of the business office. Visit our website to learn more at https://www.northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/2019/10/nwmac-art-exhibit-at-nctc-in-thief-river-falls/.
