Art Beat

COVID-19 has affected all of us, but the performing arts industry has been impacted particularly hard. Every link in the arts chain has been weakened. Today on art beat we speak with Cynthia and Brian Knouft, siblings and co-owners of Ed's No Name bar. Ed's is one of the most revered venues in the Winona community and is struggling as COVID-19 impacts every aspect of their business. Original Air D...

COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives in some ways. But it has affected the arts massively. From performers to venues, to studios and publishers, the performing arts industry has been hurt at a time when we need art most. Today on Art Beat we speak with Dr. Melanie Brooks, director of the Winona State University band program and Jake Edwards of the WSU music education department. We discuss how t...

Today on Art Beat we’re discussing the first ever Minnesota Music Video Menagerie, an outdoor music video festival this Saturday, Aug. 29 at the History Center of Olmsted County. The festival will be a free drive-in style event featuring music videos on the big screen from artists right here in Minnesota and will also feature live music from Fires of Denmark and Jae Havoc. I’m Bill Stoneberg, stic...

The COVID-19 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on many industries and the performing arts is no exception. In fact, it is getting hit exceptionally hard. With show cancellations and stay at home orders there aren’t many opportunities for artists to perform, and that loss of performance means loss of livelihood for many. Today on Art Beat we finish our conversation with Rich MacDonald, local performing...

The COVID-19 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on many industries and the performing arts is no exception. In fact, it is getting hit exceptionally hard. With show cancellations and stay at home orders there aren’t many opportunities for artists to perform, and that loss of performance means loss of livelihood for many. Today on Art Beat we speak with Rich MacDonald, local performing musician and Prof...

Today on Art Beat we’re talking about the film John Latsch: The Man and His River, produced by Mary Farrell and written by Frances Edstrom, both from right here in Winona. The film made it’s original debut at the 2017 FRFF and is now being shown again as part of an online screening event from the festival. There will be a free online screening of the film this Saturday, July 25th at 7pm. Mary and...

Today on Art Beat we talk with local poet Pete Engen. Pete is a published poet, has written linear notes for local bands and also mc’d the 2019 Boats and Bluegrass festival here in Winona. We spoke to Pete as he is getting ready to publish his first full book of poetry titled, Flower House and Feral Sun. I’m Bill Stoneberg, with poet Pete Engen on today’s Art Beat. Original Air Date: 07/07/20. Art...

Today on Art Beat we talk “On the Fly” with Lanesboro Arts. On the Fly is the latest exhibit at the Lanesboro Art Gallery and is inspired by a popular local past time, fly fishing. Root River Rod company teamed up with Lanesboro Arts to put together this mixed media exhibit. Seven different regional artists are featured in the exhibit with work ranging from sculpture to painting and even features...

Today on Art Beat we visit with local artist Rebeca Van Acker. Van Acker, a painter and sketch artist opened a new exhibit at Gallery on the Lake in Lake City, MN earlier this year. KQAL’s Bill Stoneberg met up with her to discuss that new collection, her work with the Bloodtooth novel and game series and her other artistic pursuits. Now, here’s Bill Stoneberg with Rebecca Van Acker on Art Beat. O...

Today on Art Beat we take you to the 2020 FRFF. KQAL’s Matt Drewry talks to Brendan Harris about his film This Wild Land, which spotlights the northern Minnesota boundary waters and the legacy of Sigurd Olson. So stick around, as KQAL’s Matt Drewry takes us to the FRFF, on Art Beat. Original Air Date: 03/10/20. Art Beat is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund...

What does it mean to live driftless? How does the geography of an area shape a sense of place? Today on Art Beat we talk with filmmaker and Winona State University alumni Caleb Hammel. In his film, The Living Driftless Caleb explores the people and outdoor recreation that make the driftless region unique. Stick around as KQAL’s Matt Drewry discusses The Living Driftless with filmmaker Caleb Hammel...

On this episode of Art Beat, we hear from filmmaker Mary Farrell on her new documentary, Raising Hell. Raising Hell profiles the restoration of the Winona Masonic Temple's iconic theatrical backdrops. The century old paintings, which were once used in masonic rituals, are now featured in community events hosted at the temple's theatre. We talk with Mary about the history of the backdrops and the c...

Today on Art Beat, we speak to filmmaker Brenda Piekarski about her new adevnture documentary, Ode to Minnesota. Ode to Minnesota follows the experience of two outdoor enthusiasts as they embark on a 1,300 mile journey around northern Minnesota. The participants made the two month long trip on bike, paddle and foot. We'll also speak to Steve Schreader, one of the film's subjects, about the challen...

On this episode of Art Beat, we hear from filmmaker Matthew Bluhm on his new documentary, Mystery in the Wetlands. The film traces efforts to combat an increased rate of frog deformities that occured in the mid-1990s, and may still be going on today. That's this Tuesday on Art Beat, right here on 89.5 KQAL, online at KQAL.org or streaming live on the KQAL app. Art Beat is made possible by a grant...

Motherhood is a tough topic for young people, how does and eighth grader handle it?  Today on the Art Beat we interview WSU film student Brynn Artley on her film, Maternity for a Weekend.  The film explores Artley’s sister’s experience with an infant simulator for her home ec class. , Brynn joins KQAL’s MCMD us to discuss her artistic process and Frozen River Film Fest. I’m Matthew Drewry with Bry...

When you break a leg, you go to the doctor and they put a cast on it. Everyone can see that you have a cast on and they know that you have a broken leg. It is obvious that you have been hurt and are now healing. Sometimes people can have mental or emotional injuries or issues that they are dealing with as well but that isn’t so obvious. In addition, there can often be a negative stigma surrounding...

This week on Art Beat, we hear from Lois Peterson on her new exhibit, Listening for Evidence. Listening for Evidence explores Lois' fascination with spacious, quiet scenes and their artistic qualities. I'm Willard Huyck, and this is Art Beat. here on 89.5 KQAL. Original Air Date: 01/28/20. Art Beat is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Rochester has a crow problem. And a new documentary film titled The Crows by Tyler Aug highlights the issue with humor mixed in with facts about crows to ask a serious question, how can Rochester live together with the crows? The film The Crows will be shown at the Gray Duck Theater and Coffeehouse in Rochester this Thursday, Dec 5th 2019. The film takes a humorous look at the crow situation, exam...

Do you like to write? Do you have an interest in weird things? How about getting paid? That’s good right? Today on Art Beat Minnesota author Frank Bures discusses How to Write About Weird Stuff and Make a Living At It. Frank recently held a writers workshop at the Winona Public Library. I sat down with Frank to discuss his writing career and how he got into writing about weird things. Frank also t...

Today on Art Beat we talk to Winona based artist Jamie Harper who also goes by the name Salvaged Medium. Jamie not only uses reclaimed materials to paint on, but he also uses salvaged paint. His work often incorporates the wildlife and the landscape of the Mississippi river valley combined with splashes of color that gives his work an unmistakable look. I sat down with Jamie at Ed’s No Name Bar wh...

Art can be very powerful. It can transmit emotions or ideas… It can be cathartic for the artist to create and can also help the person experiencing the art work through things they are dealing with in their own life. Much like feeling better after listening to a sad song, art can help you to realize that you are not alone and that others before you have dealt with the same pain and made it through...

What does “home” mean to you? Does the word home conjure up a certain place or time or feeling? Today on Art Beat we talk to Cecillia Cornejo, artist in residence at Lanesboro Arts in Lanesboro, MN. Cecillia is a Chilean-born documentary filmmaker, artist and teacher who lives in Northfield, MN. Her new project that she has brought to Lanesboro is called the Wandering House. The Wandering House is...

Today on Art Beat we go to Public Launch in downtown Winona for the opening of a photo exhibit by local photographer Ed Hoffman. The exhibit, titled La Gomera: The Island Lost in Time is an attempt to tell the story of La Gomera which is an island in the Spanish Canary Islands. The island has faced the impact of mass emigration, modernization, fascism, and climate change all of which come through...

Today on Art Beat we talk to local historian and stereo photography buff, Bob Taunt. Bob recently gave a presentation about the history of stereo photography at the Winona County History Center. The presentation was a compliment to an exhibit titled Victorian Winona: Through the Lens of Charles Tenney. Charles Tenney was a photographer in the Winona area in the late 1800s and produced many stereo...

Today on Art Beat, we talk to local artist Lyon Smith about his latest work, Driftless Sanctuary. The piece has been on display at Public Launch in downtown Winona. We talk to Lyon about how beavers and the way they build were part of the inspiration for the piece. We also talk about where the piece might end up next. I’m Bill Stoneberg, with Lyon Smith, on Art Beat. Original Air Date: 09/03/19. A...