BEMIDJI — Professor and artist Marlon Davidson passed away at age 88 last week. Marlon was born in Deer River, MN, but his family moved to Grand Rapids, where he graduated high school.
He attended BSU where he met his life partner Don Knudson. They moved to St Paul in 1959 but returned to Bemidji in 1987. Marlon taught as an adjunct and fixed term instructor in the visual arts department in Bemidji.
Marlon retired in 2006 and devoted his time to writing and making art, often with his partner Don. Their collaborations are in public and private collections across the US and in Europe.
After a 61-year partnership, Marlon and Don were united in marriage on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Marlon said, “I got what I wanted in life, someone to love, a safe and happy home, and the freedom to make art.”
"He was a lovely, sweet man, but he was no pushover. He was a serious artist and he knew what he wanted and he said what he wanted all his life and he told us what he wanted... he was a great personal kind of influence," Mitch Blessing said during the KAXE Morning Show.
Listen to our conversation with Mitch Blessing above along with Marlon's appearance with Don on "Call of the Wild."
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Contributed/Wildflower BookshopIn a new series, KAXE connects with independent bookstores in Northern Minnesota to talk about local business, what’s popular and book-related events in the region. -
Contributed/zAmya Theater ProjectEvents in Northern Minnesota this week include theater productions in Grand Rapids, Virginia and Puposky, plus a local growers and crafters market in Pine River. -
KAXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer provides his weekly assessment of nature in Northern Minnesota. This is the week of Oct. 1, 2024. -
Kari Hedlund/KAXEThis week, we want to know what album you would be your "must have" if stranded on a desert island. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzStudents and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders. -
Contributed/Bemidji Area Therapy and Reading Canines via facebookSpecially trained dogs (and their human handlers) are attentive listeners for young people learning to read with the Bemidji Area Reading Canines program.
