Mission Statement
The mission of the Nelson County Arts Council is to ensure the
presentation and preservation of the arts throughout Nelson County
by presenting programs and events that will enlighten, instruct and
entertain our citizens.
History Briefs

Executive
DIRECTOR
Brenda Bjorlie





BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Debra Hensrud, Pres.
Elizabeth Stromme, V Pres
Rita Loibl, Sec.
Susan Olson
Eileen Dezotell
Susan Bergquist
Sally Simonson
Josh Hagen
Michelle Lynch


STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS
Justine Simonson, Lakota
High School
Mason Beier, Dakota Prairie
High School

Additional Funds Received For Auditorium Phase 3 Renovation Project

Additional grant funds in the amount of $10,107 for the City of Pekin’s auditorium’s phase three
renovation project was announced by Sen. Kent Conrad, Sen. Byron Dorgan and Rep. Earl Pomeroy.  
The funds from the U.S. Department of Agricultural Rural Development Program will bring the total
federal funding to $116,509 for the project.  The Nelson County Arts Council recently received
required matching funds from Otter Tail Power Company’s Communities Connections grant program in
the amount of $1500 and $500 from North Dakota Telephone Company’s Dollars in Motion program.  In
addition, individual donors have contributed a total of  $36,837.  The required matching funds in the
amount of $38,837 has been met and the project will be advertised for bids the first of February 2009.

The Nelson County Arts Council and the City of Pekin Council would like to thank the USDA, Otter Tail
Power Company, North Dakota Telephone Company and each and every individual donor that has
made this project possible.

For more information please contact Brenda Bjorlie at 701-296-4515 or email bebjorlie@stellarnet.com
* Pekin Days Art Show committee was formed in 1994
* After repeated successful art exhibits during the annual Pekin Days celebration and a
growing interest from all Nelson County residents, the committee applied for and received a
501c3 non-profit status under the name of Nelson County Arts Council in 1999
* The ten member Board of Directors is composed of residents representing communities
throughout Nelson County
* Today the NCAC produces the largest judged art show and sales in North Dakota,
displaying artists' work from ND, SD, MN, WY, CO, MT and Canada; a Student Art Show
representing high school students' artwork from Dakota Prairie, Lakota, Larimore, Warwick
and Ft Totten schools; the Stump Lake Fine Arts Youth Camp offering both visual and
performing art classes; an annual Art Auction; and adult art workshops.
NELSON COUNTY
ARTS COUNCIL
PO Box 66    
Pekin  ND  58361           
701-296-4515
bebjorlie@stellarnet.com
Supported in part by a grant from
the North Dakota Council on the
Arts, which receives funding from
the state legislature and the
National Endowment for the Arts
Donations and Memorials
may be given to various
Nelson County Arts Council
funds including:

Building Fund       
Memorial Sculpture           
General Operating   
Youth Programs

NCAC Memberships:  
$15 Per Person
$25 Couple
Dakota Prairie and Larimore High Schools Participate in 2009 NCAC Dinner Theatre
Oil Painting Workshop
Tam Goodman of rural
Towner, ND was the instructor
for the Oil Painting Workshop
held at the Pekin Community
Center in January.  Tam has
been painting for over 20
years.  Everyone had a great
time at this workshop!
Mosiac Workshop
Sue Olson was the instructor for a
Mosaic workshop at the Pekin
Community Center in February.
Sue is standing by some of her own
projects.  Everyone had a great time at
this workshop and made some
stunning mosaic pieces!
2009 NCAC Annual Rummage Sale

NCAC Events 2010

Art For Life
January – June        McVille Care Center


Watercolor Workshop
February 19 – February 20   
 Community Center

Art Auction
March 7          Community Center
Dakota Prairie
Larimore
(Click photos to enlarge)
Soundfest 2010 Featured 5 Bands - Huge Success!

Soundfest 2010 can be likened to a gourmet’s five-course meal.  Any fastidious devotee to good music
and dancing wasl not disappointed during the afternoon and early evening of musical sounds featuring
bands from eastern North Dakota.  The festive event, presented by the Nelson County Arts Council and
sponsored by the Nelson County Farmers Union, was on Sunday, January 17 in the Pekin City
Auditorium and started at 2:00 p.m. and closed with the final note at 8:00 p.m.
While the music fed your soul, your palate was satisfied with pulled pork sandwiches, brats and all the
trimmings, beer and non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of popcorn.  The cost of admission, $15 adults,
$8 students and children six and under free,and included food, drinks and music.
Bands
Old Tyme Kings   
       AnOther Side              
Merrill Peipkorn and Loy Larson           
   The Diers           
North River Ramblers
For the first time, a small dance area was available!


Watercolor Workshop With Ellen Jean Diederich
(If you have pre-registered for this class, please contact Brenda.  File was accidentally deleted)
February 19,20,21
Pekin Community Center
Cost: $80 plus supplies
Deadline: Feb. 10
Registration and Supply List: 701-296-4515 or bebjorlie@stellarnet.com
Check must be received prior to deadline to insure seat.
Make payable to: NCAC, PO Box 66, Pekin ND 58361
Why is it that sometimes our colors go together beautifully and other times they clash or do nothing.   Be
it you are beginner or long time painter, you will be dealing with dipping into color and deciding how much
and where, and what value it will be.  This workshop is going to focus on color. By learning about color &
technique when painting, you make the selection process easier and more fun.  You can be a beginner
or advanced painter to take this class.
Friday Feb. 19: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Warm & Cool Dominance:  We are going to go for it big time and work with abandonment on a subject
that allows much freedom and experimentation.  Subject matter supplied- using cool dominant palette
Saturday, Feb. 20: 9:30-5:00
Painting Sunflowers (Warm)
Draw out 1-5 sunflowers.  Do a warm up painting of color on leaves and flowers…practice gradations.  
Critique of bricks. Did you draw out your leaves carefully? Paint light to dark.
Sunday: time to be announced during class   Developing the darks and background.  Finish paintings,
and critiques.   Lodging available in Pekin and McVille.
Student Art Show
April 11 – April 14       Auditorium

Pork Dinner
April 11        Community Center

Rummage Sale
May 15 – May 16         Community Center

Pekin Days Art Show
June 23 – June 27         Auditorium

Fine Arts Youth Camp
August 2 – August 7        
Stump Lake Park