NEW ULM — The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council announced that $52,500 in Artist Development Grants have been awarded to thirty-five local artists at $1,500 each, announces Brenda Byron, PLRAC Executive Director. The purpose of the PLRAC/McKnight Artist Grant Program is to provide financial support to artists committed to advancing their work and careers. Applications are accepted from artists in all art disciplines including: dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, and visual art. This program is made possible by funds provided by the McKnight Foundation of Minneapolis under a program designed and administered by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca.

Two Brown County artists were funded:

Andrea Gehrke, New Ulm, is a musician and will use the grant to continue refining songs and complete new songs. She will also create YouTube and Facebook Live videos to connect with audiences. Funds will be used for living expenses.

Pegeen Rozeske, New Ulm, is a shoemaker and will use the grant to create custom shoes for a child with physical challenges and create a website to grow her online presence. Funds will be used to create a 3D copy of the child s leg braces to incorporate into the shoes and for creative time.

Other grantees in the region include: Blue Earth County: Tom David Barna from Eagle Lake; David Hamlow from Good Thunder; and Robert Dickinson, Robert Foster, Beth Hamilton, Caitlin Heyer, Kaitlin Hohenstein, Sarah Houle, Gina Moorhead, Amber Rahe, Michelle Roche, Colin Scharf, Megan Schnitker, and Gregory Wilkins from Mankato. Faribault County: Yvonne Cory from Easton. LeSueur County: Elizabeth Breaker and Debra Evans-Paige from LeSueur, Ann Obernolte and Mary Walchuk from Elysian, and Patricia Salmon from Waterville. Nicollet County: Betsy Byers, Cheryl Casteen, Jill Hildegrandt, Deanna Larsen-Quinn, April Malphurs, and Dana Melius from St. Peter; and Justin Ek, Benji Inniger, and Dana Sikkila from North Mankato. Sibley County: Teresa Konechne from Henderson. Waseca County: Karen Krause from New Richland, and Joellen Preston and Robin Warburton from Janesville.