Minot Arts Podcast: a MAP to the Arts in Small Town America

In the season one finale of the Minot Arts Podcast, Justin and Chandell sit down to answer the questions that they’ve been asking podcast guests all season. They walk us through their personal arts backgrounds, reflect on the role that perspective plays in creating, sharing, and interpreting art, and chat about what’s coming up this fall for the Minot Area Council of the Arts. 

Local photographer and artist, Aaron Michels, sits down with Justin and Chandell to discuss how he got started in art and photography, the challenges of being a photographer in the digital age, and the importance of not selling yourself short.

Minot artist and Artists on Main Street grant recipient, Mackenzie Ploof, joins Justin and Chandell to talk about her affinity towards creation as a foundation to her personal storytelling, the collaborative atmosphere of Minot’s art community, and shares some info about her upcoming Troll Stroll project in Downtown Minot and her solo exhibit at the Taube Museum of Art.

Local musician, Erik M. Anderson, joins Justin and Chandell to discuss his musical influences, the fluidity between musical genres, and how he enjoys allowing his work to transcend the expected. Erik discusses his experience of bringing his Electric Cello Concerto to ND students as a MACA ARP grantee, and gives his advice to young musicians.

Local sing-songwriting Chloe Marie joins Justin and Chandell to discuss the origins of her passion and her pursuit of music. She talks about how a shift in her educational path made her a better artist, and gives us a sneak peak at some new, upcoming work.

High school teacher and Artistic Director of MSU Summer Theatre, Chad Gifford, joins Justin and Chandell to talk about the theatre's deep roots in Minot and its legacy of providing a uniquely comprehensive experience for its cast and crew. He discusses the importance of Arts exposure in education for students of all ages, and gives us the scoop on what we can look forward to in the upcoming summer season of performances. 

Artist and Director of the Northwest Arts Center, Greg Vettel, joins Justin and Chandell to discuss the arts as a process of “Making Something Mean Something”, the reflective nature of art and the creator’s environment, our relationship with technology in our understanding and expression of place and community, the impact of the arts on rural reinvestment trends, the history of the Northwest Arts Center, and it’s pivotal role in stewarding Minot State University’s art collection and bringing art and artists from across the globe to Minot.

Local Artist and Executive Director of the Minot chapter of Together With Veterans, Randy McDonald, joins Justin and Chandell to discuss the therapeutic benefits of creative activity, his history with using art to “come out of the hole” of mental illness, and how he is working to help others reestablish connection with themselves and their communities through the arts. 

Katie Ortman, Program Manager at Arts Midwest, sits down with Justin and Chandell to talk about her work with the World Fest program, the benefits of cultural exchange, particularly in rural communities, and the importance of showing up.

Local artist Arvin K. Davis Jr. joins Justin and Chandell to discuss creativity’s inherently compulsive nature, finding inspiration and renewed artistic freedom in the seemingly absurd, confronting the vulnerability of pursuing art as a profession, his perspective on the evolution of Minot’s arts ecosystem, and the hard work and collaboration that goes into building a sustainable arts hub in a growing rural community. Arvin reflects on the debut of the Candy Clown experience, shares an update on his on-going DOOM Banana project, and encourages us to look for art in unexpected places!

Mixed media fiber artist and Executive Director of the Taube Museum of Art, Rachel Alfaro, joins Justin and Chandell to discuss finding and following her passion for art, and how that journey led this native-Floridian to discovering her place in Minot’s art world. She discusses her philosophy of giving ALL artists a platform to share their works and gives us the run-down of upcoming exhibits at the Taube, their arts education programming, and shares her excitement about part of an international collection that will soon be calling Minot home!

Episode 1: In the Minot Arts Podcast premier, Justin and Chandell chat with local artist, community organizer, and co-owner of Prairie Sky Breads, Jazmine Schultz. Jazmine discusses her experience growing up as a creative in a rural environment, her passion for cultivating community, the benefits and challenges presented to artists in smaller communities and leaves us all with some inspiration and advice on how to be better champions of the arts in our local art scenes.