Artist Initiative
Artist Initiative
Benda will develop and exhibit new work combining sculptural wood carving, print, and narrative.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Philip McKenzie, Oboe and English horn player; adjunct oboe faculty, NDSU; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Kjellgren Alkire: Artist and researcher; executive director, Oakstreet Projects; Guillermo Cuellar: Potter and teacher from Venezuela; John Fleischer: Artist; Arts Board grantee; Karen Goulet: Artist; program director of the Miikanan Gallery at Watermark Art Center, Bemidji; Mathew Ollig: Oil painter, Arts Board grantee; Juliane Shibata: Installation artist; arts instructor; Arts Board grantee
ACHF Arts Access
To exhibit new work which engages audience members in, and illuminates, the interwoven history of plant and human migration. Exhibiting the work in solo and group exhibitions and through audience feedback.
Exhibited three large-scale wood carvings that engaged audience in the interwoven history of plants, landscape and human ancestory. Exhibited new carving work in solo & group shows: "Plants, Process, and Regeneration" at the American Swedish Institute and "Family, Genus Species" at Nicolet College. Both included carving demonstrations and audience participation during openings.