Artist: Dawn Rossbach

Step One — Video Interview

July 6th


I first sat down with Dawn Rossbach in early July for a video interview that marked the beginning of her Heartland Portraits journey. These conversations are the foundation of the project. They create space for artists to reflect on their practice, their influences, and the place they call home—before a camera is ever raised.

I first met Dawn in 2015 when I joined the board of the Nemeth Art Center, and we have been friends, volunteers, and entrepreneurs ever since. She was the perfect candidate for this project.

Dawn is based in the Heartland of Minnesota, a landscape defined by lakes, pine forests, and wildlife. This environment is not just a backdrop to her life, but an active presence in her work—particularly in her various renditions of the “Spirit Tree.” During our conversation, Dawn spoke openly about her path as an artist and educator, and about how her work continues to evolve across disciplines, including painting, printmaking, mixed media, and stained-glass.

A former art educator with 24 years of classroom experience, Dawn holds degrees in Art Education and Fine Art from Bemidji State University, as well as a Master’s in Education from Hamline University. She is deeply engaged in the regional arts community and is a co-owner of Studio 176 in Park Rapids. This initial interview offered insight not only into Dawn’s work, but into the values that guide her practice—curiosity, commitment, and a belief in the importance of community.

The Studio Visits

September & October


The studio visits took place over several sessions in September and October, allowing time to observe Dawn’s process as it naturally unfolded. These visits are less about documentation and more about attentiveness—watching how an artist moves through their space, how decisions are made, and how materials are handled when no explanation is required.

Dawn’s studio reflects the breadth of her practice. Tools and materials from multiple disciplines coexist, evidence of a creative life that resists being confined to a single medium. In one room, she has everything she needs for her stained-glass practice; at the top of the stairs, the landing holds everything she needs to paint or work in printmaking. Her background as an educator is present here as well—not as instruction, but as intention. She works clearly and efficiently, always keeping the necessary tools close at hand.

Over several visits, I observed Dawn as she installed her exhibition, taught a drawing class, and worked in both paint and stained-glass. Although I have not yet seen her printmaking practice—something I hope to do soon—each experience has contributed to a richer understanding of her as an artist. These visits have given me a deeper understanding of Dawn beyond her finished work and will inform my approach to the final portrait session.



A black and white montage of windows and interior scenes showing different perspectives of a home.
Black and white photo sequence showing hands preparing coffee using a pour-over setup on a counter.
A black and white photo montage showing multiple interior office or workspace scenes with desks and equipment.
A black and white photo sequence shows a person in plaid moving across a workspace with a desk lamp and papers.
A series of photos showing someone working at a desk with various materials and tools spread out in a crafting workspace.
Black and white photo showing hands working on a turntable or record player with various equipment on a desk.
A collection of black and white photographs showing various interior workspaces and studio environments.
Black and white photo showing someone in a plaid shirt working at a desk under a hanging pendant lamp.
Black and white image showing hands working at a desk with various tools and a small lamp.
A black and white photo sequence shows someone working at a desk with drawings and illustrations on the wall.
Black and white panoramic sequence showing someone in plaid shirt sitting at piano in dimly lit room.
Black and white panoramic sequence showing an artist's workspace with drawing materials and equipment on a desk.
A black and white photograph shows an artist in a plaid shirt standing in a studio workspace with artwork and supplies.
Artist in plaid flannel shirt works on a vibrant painting while holding a palette in a black and white photograph.
A dramatic black and white photograph shows a person's hand grasping at a dark, textured surface.

The Portrait Session

December 20th


The studio portrait session in December marked the final step in Dawn’s Heartland Portraits process. By this point, the groundwork had already been laid—through conversation, observation, and shared time. The portrait session becomes less about introduction and more about recognition.

In the controlled environment of the studio, distractions fall away. What remains is presence. Dawn brought with her a calm, steady energy shaped by decades of teaching, creating, and contributing to the arts community. My goal in this session was not to stylize or elevate, but to listen visually—to respond to the subject, the light she carries and the way she occupies space.

These portraits are not meant to summarize a career or explain a body of work. Instead, they offer a moment of stillness. A chance to see the artist apart from the process yet deeply informed by it. In this final step, the portrait becomes a quiet acknowledgment of a life devoted to making, mentoring, and sustaining creative culture in the Heartland.

Dramatic black and white portrait series showing emotional expressions against dark background.
A dramatic black and white portrait series with dark background and moody lighting.
Black and white portrait series showing moody dramatic lighting and cigarette smoke in dark studio setting.
A dramatic black and white portrait series showing a figure in dark clothing holding test tubes against a shadowy background.
A dramatic black and white portrait of an elderly woman in dark clothing with closed eyes against a dark background.
A dramatic black and white photo sequence shows a figure in dark clothing gesturing expressively against a stark background.
A dramatic black and white portrait series shows a figure in dark clothing gesturing expressively against a moody background.
Black and white artistic portrait sequence featuring dark clothing and moody lighting.
A series of black and white portraits showing a person making different playful expressions against a dark background.
Black and white portrait of someone laughing expressively while wearing a dark sweater against a dark background.

Heartland Portraits by Jeremy Simonson


Jeremy Simonson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.



With the support of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, I’m launching Heartland Portraits—a photographic project that documents the lives, stories, and creative spaces of culture bearers and artisans in the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota.

Through interviews, documentary photography, and portraiture, this project celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our community while challenging me to grow as both photographer and storyteller. Having been shaped by the creative spirit of this region myself, I’m excited to shine a light on the artists who make this place truly special.



A row of colorful logos and text including arts board, water, land, and legacy amendment branding elements.