Individual Artist Project Grant FY21

This project takes a deep look at five common tree species of our region, explores how they are important to people and the entire ecological community in many different ways, and asks questions about what will be lost if these species can no longer flourish here. It is increasingly important that all people who call this place home understand how the species native to our region are being affected by climate change, and how that in turn is affecting and will continue to affect the many uses of trees. This project creates space for that learning to take place and for conversations to occur across different sectors of the community. For centuries, the trees of what is now northern Minnesota have been used in many ways. As industrialization spread following European colonization and new methods were found that replaced the need for using trees, many of those traditional uses were obscured. The forest industry has been focused mainly on the commercial tree species like aspen and pine. However, thanks to a growing understanding of the importance of biodiversity in a forest, revitalization of traditional knowledge and culture, and the development of folk schools across the region, some of the "old" ways of knowing, using, and valuing forest trees are returning. Through the exhibit, workshops, demonstrations and field trips focused on traditional art from the forest, our community will have opportunities to know and value trees in new ways. The main goal of this project is to create an engaging and multidimensional experience of forest folk arts in order to raise the awareness of the way these trees grow and cultivate an appreciation for the many uses and values of trees beyond their commercial uses. While the goal is broad, the method is more focused. The arts are unique in their ability to build connections between different sectors of our community, and that is what we aim to do with this exhibit. In northern Minnesota forests are important to the timber industry, to people who work in science and natural resources, and to people who enjoy them for recreation. Rather than seeing a forest for a single purpose, we need to understand the ways the trees and other inhabitants are interdependent. This goal of tis project is to showcase that visually and through hands-on experiences. I have decades of experience in project management from both my time as a research forester with the U.S. Forest Service and my time as an artist. It's also important to note that I will not be undertaking this project alone. The world of traditional art and craft is very collaborative -- we learn from and with each other on an on-going basis -- and I fully expect this to be a project with a lot of input and inspiration from that community. I was only comfortable moving forward with the project knowing that I would have the cooperation and support of my fellow birch bark enthusiasts and artisans Emily, Nate, and Beth as well as the expertise of the MacRostie Art Center staff. We will also be sharing work by a number of other artisans including Ken Wagner (Bigfork, MN), John Manthei (Fairbanks, AK), Phil Marshal (Fairbanks, AK) Laurie Jacobi (Minneapolis, MN) Lee Zeike (Iowa) and Vladimir Yarish (Russia). While measuring outcomes in forest research is fairly straightforward, measuring arts outcomes is not -- particularly those that emphasize changes in a mindset and understanding. We will assess the project upon completion with the knowledge that many outcomes many not be apparent until much later. MacRostie Art Center will be of help in creating and implementing an evaluation plan for this project. The gallery will include an opportunity for visitors to share their impressions of the exhibit, new knowledge gained, questions raised, and other feedback. This may be a comment book or board, or a similar tool that is more integrated with the layout of the exhibit itself. Quantitative measurements of attendance and participation will be tracked, and the exhibit