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A Conversation with Artist Leah Friesen on Economics of Public Art in Rural Minnesota

Image of a public art sculpture near KAXE studios in Grand Rapids Minn.
A public art sculpture near KAXE studios in Grand Rapids Minn.

Grand Rapids artist Leah Friesen and Chair of the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission Kari Hedlund (also known as KAXE/KBXE's Music Director), spoke with Heidi Holtan on the Morning show to learn about the importance of public art in rural areas in Minnesota. Click the player at the top of the page to hear the entire conversation.

In this conversation about the importance of public art in rural spaces, we hear about different art projects happening around the Grand Rapids area. Keep your eyes open for murals painted near storm drains in the downtown Grand Rapids area, a new sculpture along the Mississippi just across the river near the Blandin Foundation, and others.

To hear a different conversation about public art in northern Minnesota, check out this conversation with artist Aaron Squadroni that was featured earlier this summer on KAXE/KBXE.

This series is made possible by the arts and cultural heritage fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Heidi Holtan is Director of Content and Public Affairs. She manages producers/hosts and is the host of the KAXE Morning Show, including a variety of local content like Phenology, What's for Breakfast, Area Voices, The Sports Page and much more, alongside Morning Edition from NPR.
The Music Director at KAXE since 2014, Kari (pronounced Car-ee) Hedlund reviews music on the daily. She hosts Headwaters every Wednesday (9 a.m. and 10 p.m.) and some Mondays, and is co-host to Heidi Holtan on the Thursday Morning Show.