A craftsperson works at a large drafting table in a workshop filled with tools and equipment in black and white.
A series of black and white photos showing someone in a plaid shirt at a piano in different contemplative poses.
Black and white portrait of a person in a Led Zeppelin shirt standing next to a wooden post with tribal art carving.
A black and white photograph showing someone in a "Make it happen" t-shirt standing next to rustic wooden shelving with decor.

The Heartland Portraits

By Jeremy Simonson


With the support of the Creative Individuals grant, Simonson intends to undertake a comprehensive photographic project titled "The Heartland Portraits." This endeavor will involve documenting the lives and creative spaces of culture bearers and artisans within 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.



Heartland Lakes Region: Osage to Akeley and Itasca State Park to Menahga, including Park Rapids, and everywhere in between.


"Every portrait is a record of presence, a quiet acknowledgement of being seen. To photograph a person is to bear witness, to honor their vulnerability, their story, at that moment in time. Whether composed with intention or made spontaneously, each image holds an invisible thread of connection - proof that for an instant, two lives intersected, and some artifact of it was preserved." - Elizabeth Flinsch




“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.”



Black and white portrait of a person wearing glasses and casual attire standing against a dark background.
A black and white photo sequence shows someone working at a desk near a window in a creative workspace.

Dawn Rossbach


Dawn Rossbach is based in the “Heartland of Minnesota,” known for its abundance of lakes, pine trees, and wildlife. A former art educator, she now co-owns, a tiny, salon-style art gallery with two friends in Park Rapids, MN, known as Studio 176. The artwork she creates ranges from oil and acrylic painting, printmaking and mixed media, to stained-glass.

EDUCATION: BS Degree in Art Education from Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, BFA from Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, MAEd from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.

EXPERIENCE: Taught art in Menahga, MN for 24 years, active in community organizations including the Nemeth Art Center, Armory Arts & Event Center, Park Rapids Arts, and the HCDAC. 

Bickey Bender


Bickey was a member of Gallery 4 in Fargo for 21 years, co-founded the Blank Canvas Gallery in Park Rapids, and is now a member of Studio 176. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Bickey for over ten years, and her generosity, knowledge, and encouragement have made a lasting impact on me personally and on so many others in our community.

“My work reflects my fascination with the simple pleasures of everyday life. A bird, an old building, a texture — all conjure for me the joy inherent in the basic things of our world. And while exotic locales may appear in my canvases from time to time, it’s the richness of my modest childhood in rural North Dakota that ultimately informs my work.”

Her rural North Dakota upbringing sparked a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of the prairie and the need to create. While watercolor and handmade paper remain central to her practice, Bickey also explores acrylics, photography, and mixed media — even painting buildings with her own handmade paper incorporated.

Tiffany Besonen


Artist, educator, and three-time recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Creative Individuals grant. Tiffany is one of the many talented makers who call the Heartland Lakes home.

“Whether I am working alone or in collaboration with others, my work examines our environmental, social, psychological, and bodily connections and disconnections.”

Her assemblage work is thoughtful, layered, and deeply rooted in place — just like this region.

Assemblage is a three-dimensional art form that brings together found objects and unconventional materials to create new works. Much like collage in two dimensions, assemblage transforms scraps of wood, metal, textiles, or discarded objects into unified compositions. The resulting pieces often carry layered meanings—reflecting both personal experiences and broader social contexts—while also embracing sustainability by repurposing materials that might otherwise be overlooked.


Paul Albright


Paul’s sculptures range in scale from delicate to monumental. While he feels most relaxed working on large sculptures, his true passion lies in relief carving—figures and patterns carved into flat wood surfaces. His tools include everything from chainsaws, chisels, mallets, sanders, and grinders, to pneumatic tools. Though he enjoys hand carving, he admits it takes a toll on the body. A lifelong maker, Paul even fabricates some of his own tools, a skill rooted in his upbringing on the family farm.

Beyond tools, the wood itself is essential. Paul recommends white cedar for outdoor works, thanks to its natural resistance to insects and rot, but his favorite to carve is butternut, a softer cousin to black walnut.

You can find Paul’s sculptures featured in outdoor exhibitions and sculpture walks in Bemidji, Delano, and Park Rapids. He also shares his knowledge by teaching carving classes at Cedar Swan in Nevis, a new wood shop that showcases products from local artisans.

A panoramic view of a photography studio interior showing lighting equipment, props and workstations.
A series of black and white photographs showing different interior workshop spaces with tools and workbenches.
Black and white photo showing a person working at a desk with papers and documents scattered across the surface.
A person's hand writing or drawing on paper with a pen in black and white.
A woodworker crafts detailed pieces in a rustic workshop with various tools and equipment visible on the workbench.
A series of black and white photographs shows someone working at a desk in what appears to be a studio or office space.
A person works at a printing press in a dimly lit workshop environment with various tools and equipment visible.
A black and white photo montage shows a person working at a desk in what appears to be a home office setting.
A black and white montage of vintage workshop scenes showing tools, machinery, and hands at work.
A series of black and white photographs showing someone working at a desk with papers and art materials.
A row of vintage train cars and buildings line a historic railroad track in a wooded area on a cloudy day.
A black and white collage of garden scenes showing a path, barn structures, and natural landscaping elements.
A series of black and white photographs arranged in a horizontal filmstrip layout showing artistic portrait scenes.
Black and white interior shots show a dimly lit workspace with computers, equipment and industrial lighting fixtures.
Black and white photographs of hands performing various actions and gestures against dark backgrounds.
A series of black and white photographs showing an artist's workspace with sketches and drawing materials on a desk.
Artist works in dark studio with dramatic black and white mural artwork covering walls in moody lighting.
Wide angle black and white view of a creative workspace with records and equipment.
Close-up panoramic shot of vinyl records and audio equipment in monochrome.
A person in a plaid shirt works at a desk in moody black and white lighting.
A person in a plaid shirt works at a desk by a window with art supplies and tools scattered around in black and white.
A black and white photo sequence shows someone playing a guitar and adjusting recording equipment in a studio setting.
An artist stands in their workspace with tools and supplies on a desk in a black and white photograph.
Black and white panoramic view of a workspace with scattered objects and photos on the walls.
A black and white photography studio banner showing professional camera equipment and lighting setup.
A craftsman in a baseball cap carefully shapes a wooden surfboard with hand tools in black and white photography.
Black and white photograph showing a person resting in a hammock surrounded by trees and dappled sunlight.
Vintage black and white photo of someone lounging in a hammock with a book on a sunny afternoon.
Hands use a mallet and chisel to carve details into a weathered piece of wood in black and white.
A series of vintage black and white photographs showing workers in a factory or industrial setting.
Black and white photograph of a wooden trail post with trail markers and signs in a forest setting.
A sequence of black and white forest scenes shows a fallen tree trunk leading to a small wooden structure in the woods.
Black and white photo of a rustic cabin nestled among trees in a wooded forest setting.
Black and white photograph of a flying seagull in motion against a dark background.
A series of abandoned wooden cabins and structures in a wooded area create an eerie atmosphere in black and white.
A series of black and white photos showing someone working in what appears to be a darkroom or photography studio.
A black and white portrait of an artist wearing glasses and a dark t-shirt, standing in front of a decorated wall.
Black and white photo series showing hands interacting with metal chains in a dark atmospheric setting.
A black and white photo series shows someone sitting in a car, looking out the window in different poses and angles.
A black and white photo collage shows four different poses of a person against a dark background.
Three vintage wooden bird cages mounted on stands display exotic parrots in a black and white photograph.
A series of black and white photographs showing a person in various poses against a wall with artwork.
A series of black and white photos showing a medical examination room with equipment and patient bed.
A black and white photo series showing a person walking up steps to a house entrance.
Black and white photo of a messy workspace with art supplies, papers, and drawing materials scattered across a desk.
A black and white photograph of a deer standing alert in tall grass at the edge of a dark forest.
A modern dining room with mounted deer heads on white walls and large windows providing natural light.
Black and white photo of a rustic log cabin with a white door, wooden steps, and a potted plant on the porch.
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Artists - Heartland Portraits - Blog Posts

Video - Artist Talk - Heartland Portraits

Heartland Portraits

By Jeremy Simonson


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.



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.



Logo for Minnesota State Arts Board and Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment with musical notes and colorful panels.