Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,472
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Jay K. McEvers
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
May 2014
End Date
April 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Becker
Douglas
Grant
Otter Tail
Pope
Becker
Douglas
Grant
Otter Tail
Pope
Project Overview

Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage

Project Details

To publish Folk Art Fish Decoys, a Photo History documenting 17 years of folk art and stories.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Eric Abrahamson: Business owner/painter, stage manager, actor; Pagyn Harding: literary artist, publisher/author; Mark Ryan: Plains Art Museum Director of Collections and Operations; Nancy Berns: Radio voice actor, costumer, vocal director, choral singer; Carolyn Aarsvold: Retired elementary music educator, violinist; Tim Ray: actor, director, technical director, musician-performer; Michael Eble: professor, gallery curator at University of Minnesota-Morris; Kari Adams: graphic designer, printmaker; Stan Goldade: High school math instructor, photographer, sculptor; Jim Arvidson; Susan Anderson: Art Advocate, Theatre and Art background.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Don Clark: Minnesota State University-Moorhead Professor, photography; Eric Abrahamson: Business owner/painter, stage manager, actor; Mark Ryan: Plain Art Museum Director of Collections and Operations; Pagyn Harding: literary artist, publisher/author; Nancy Berns: Radio voice actor, costumer, vocal director, choral singer; Carolyn Aarsvold: Retired elementary music educator, violinist; Tim Ray: actor, director, technical director, musician-performer; Kari Kjesbo: former gallery manager, catering business owner; Gary Henrickson: former professor of literature; Michael Eble: professor, gallery curator, University of Minnesota-Morris; Kari Adams: graphic designer, printmaker; Carolyn Flieder: fiber artist, former quilt shop owner; Amy Schmidt: literary artist, visual artist, bookstore owner; Randy Peterson Pope: Chiropractor, Arts Advocate; Jim Arvidson: Retired businessman, fundraiser, art advocate.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access ACHF Cultural Heritage

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,472
Other Funds Leveraged
$160
Direct expenses
$5,472
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

My goals for this cultural heritage project are to have a published work, a permanent archive of the fish decoys I've created during a very important time in the history of contemporary fish decoy carvers. My goal is to bring together digital photographs, graphic artist, and the printer. To help complete a published book called ''Folk Art Fish Decoys'' by Jay McEvers ''A Photo History''. To use personal photographs, put them in well arranged digital files, and deliver them to the layout artist in digital folders according to category and chapters. To write my story, write good descriptions, and to work with the graphic designer and be helpful with the tone and direction of the layout. To make the best book possible using the resources available to me.Bringing my personal photographs together and presenting them in a reference book is a new experience for me. I like carving and I like being recognized for my craftsmanship and for my works. I have the many photos, and having the greater community see what I have carved over the years is the greatest reward for me. To know how well the book is received by others, I’ll put an insert in each of the two hundred books. The insert will state that This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. With permission, I will include the LRAC logo. In the insert, I’ll ask my readers, What do you think? I’ll provide my email address and personal address and encourage their responses.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Because I usually sell the books one at a time, I learn some of the reactions to the book firsthand, so the best assessment tool is using comments made about the book. The feedback given on the book through verbal, or written comments has been positive. People like the book. “It’s a very inspiring book.” Several people were happy to spot their decoys in the book. The photographs were meant to show my style, craftsmanship, experience, and dedication and I believe I succeeded: Comment by postcards: “It’s an honor to get a grant like this.” “Just wish the book was longer! Loved it!” “Please have the Troll send me another copy.” Comment made by email: “got the book a few days ago and love it! It was a great idea and I am very glad to have it, just wanted you to know. It came with a postcard to mail back. I am a collector so naturally I want to keep it with the book. BUT if you want me to send it in I can for sure do that for you. Good luck with it!!”

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Jay
Last Name
McEvers
Organization Name
Jay K. McEvers
State
MN
Phone
(218) 342-2837
Email
jdecoys@arvig.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency
Location

133 Mill Street South
Fergus Falls, MN 56537-2574 

Phone
Project Manager: Timothy Wollenzien
218-739-5780