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Darrell Tangen
Savage, MN
Merit
Award: Photography
Darrell Tangen has had a passion for photography since he was in elementary school. Not only a passion to take photographs, and not only to share them with others, but to share the knowledge and skills it takes to become a photographer. He realized that a lot of his passion came from helping others to imagine, capture and print photographs. And his teaching career began.
For the next ten years he taught photography and photofinishing in the corporate environment, helping new photo studio and lab owners from around the world learn how to run a successful photography business. Then he applied his skills to helping Proex Photo Systems based here in Minneapolis by training lab and studio personnel on how to help customers get the best photos possible. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is a licensed photographic instructor in the state of Minnesota.
In 1999, Darrell and his wife, Gayle started the photo business known as Backroad Images. He has been selling his Home Décor and fine art photos at regional art fairs and private exhibits around the twin cities.
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Nick Devries
Minneapolis, MN
Merit
Award: Ceramics
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Christy Skuban
Eau Claire, WI
Merit
Award: Jewelry
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Steve Uren
Laurium, WI
Merit
Award: Wood
“Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.” –Cicero
As a young child, I watched my grandfather craft wonderful pieces of artwork out of simple blocks of wood. I noticed the care that went into selecting a piece of wood and the love he put into each product. I shared the joy he found in simply walking through the woods and admiring the natural world. From this I drew my inspiration to become an artist, using wood to express my artistic self, as well as a love and respect of the natural world around me.
Nature, landscapes and the beauty of wood have shaped my work. A piece of art, dresser or table will grow out of, and be built around, a single piece of inspirational wood. The variety, uniqueness, depth and beauty of wood continue to be my driving force. I find just working with wood to be soothing and refreshing for my soul. It allows my artistic self to play and it serves as an endless source of inspiration for me.
I strive to create artwork out of the functional, beauty out of the mundane and something unique out of the common. My goal is to have each piece express great originality and absolute unmatched quality.
My love of the nature that surrounds me, the very woods that I grew up exploring with my grandfather, is what I hope comes flowing out of each piece of artwork I create.
I have been creating wood art for nearly twenty years. During that time it has evolved and grown. It is only in the past ten that I have started to show and sell my work. I now participate in various art shows throughout the United States and create custom pieces by request throughout the year.
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Ann Shallman
Ely, MN
Merit
Award: Sculpture
I grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota and have made my home in Ely, Minnesota.
I love the lakes, trees and rocks of northern Minnesota and the bright colors of the southwest. The landscapes of these two areas dwell equally inside of me so taking a shape from the north woods and covering it with brightly colored beads is a perfect mix for me. The possibilities of objects and colors to work with are endless, and I plan on trying as many combinations as I possibly can.
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Jean Haeffle
Chaska, MN
Merit
Award: Painting
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Karen Monson-Thompsom
Merit
Award: Fiber
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Ron Benson
Duluth, MN
Merit
Award: Glass
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Richard Gruchalla & Carin Rosetti
Best of Show
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