Imagine Martin's Mission!
Imagine Martin mission is to be a beacon for artistic endeavors in Martin County. By assisting individuals, groups and fellow nonprofits in the creation and promotion of visual & performing arts. We are dedicated to developing new points of interest, creating unique events and promoting artists and entertainers coming to or from within our community.
Why IMAGINE MARTIN was formed!
A group of Fairmont citizens formed a committee for a idea called “Going Hog Wild in Martin County”. The goal was to spotlight local businesses & organizations, feature local artists and honor the success of the Martin County pork industry by placing hog statues throughout his county. With the success of Going Hog Wild it became apparent forming a non-profit would enable the group take on additional community projects! It was decided the name Imagine Martin best represented their goal to work with artists, visionaries and other nonprofits in the creation and promotion of visual & performing arts. A board of directors was selected and the non-profit Imagine Martin was formed.
Contact Us
If you have questions or idea for a project you would like to see become a reality contact us at: info@imaginemartin.com
Board of Directors
Ashley Jensen Haake
Ashley is a K-6 Art Teacher at Fairmont Elementary. She is sharing her love of art with 900 kids a week. She loves doodling, painting and crafting. She has four children at home that love to create art too. Ashley also freelances as a paper craft designer, stamp designer and digital artist. She grew up in Fairmont and loves painting our hogs as a way to give back to her community. She has painted 13 of our hogs - some including Giddy Up Boutique, 12 Baskets, Hugoson Pork, Taco Johns, Graffiti Corner and more. Look for her glass tiled Miss Piggy at the Five Lake Center in Fmt. Ashley also sits on our Imagine Martin Non Profit Board.
Sara Pierce
Sara Pierce is owner of Pierce Accounting & Tax Services, which has been in Fairmont 45 years. She was born and raised in Fairmont and after living in Mankato for several years returned to her hometown to run her business. Returning to Martin County reminded her of the many amazing features here and is passionate about sharing these with everyone. She is excited to be a part of the Imagine Martin board to help with this mission and build more community relationships.
Jeff Rouse
Jeff and his wife have own several businesses in Fairmont since the late 1980's. Most recently (2007) producing television programs that spotlights the small towns of the Midwest. Jeff is excited to be part of Imagine Martin and believes together they can make a difference in how Martin County is seen and sees itself.
Jeff Sauer
Jeff and his family relocated to Minnesota in 2012 and settled in Fairmont by 2015. Hailing from an entrepreneurial and artistic family in NM, they valued art and artists as essential components of education and cultural exposure. Jeff is eager to embed this philosophy of community engagement in Martin County through Imagine mARTin. His commitment to facilitating home ownership is exemplified in his role as a mortgage lender at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Fairmont. Outside of work, Jeff generously volunteers at Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault Counties, Fairmont Christian School, Martin County Historical Society, and Life Family Church in Blue Earth. Actively participating in Chamber of Commerce initiatives like Young Professionals, Ambassadors, and Martin County Leadership, Jeff is steadfast in his dedication to the community's growth and prosperity.
A staunch advocate for art education, Jeff delights in sharing the local art scene's richness with his family and visitors. While they treasure art during their travels, its significance is magnified within Martin County. Jeff eagerly looks forward to contributing to Imagine mARTin's endeavors to promote our culture and foster connections, enriching our vibrant community even further.
Alexandra Hurney
Alexandra is originally from Brandon SD and received a BA in Fine Art from Augustana University in Sioux Falls SD. She relocated to Fairmont in 2015, bringing her love and art knowledge to the community. You can see some of her work around town. She has murals at the Martin County Historical Society Museum, The Marina Lodge, Fairmont Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, and Indulge Salon & Spa, to name a few. She's also done many of the hog statues! When not painting walls or pigs, she's busy with commissioned art, including portraits, landscapes, paintings, and drawings. She is also a Co-owner of Fairmont Brewing Company. She designs and manages social media marketing and advertising. She is eager to bring more color into our community and get people excited about art!
Stephanie Busiahn
Stephanie serves as the Fairmont Community Education and Recreation Director. She had spent the previous fifteen years in tourism and enjoys promoting the community. She looks forward to being apart of Imagine Martin and the partnerships that will be formed by working together in Martin County.
Ned Koppen
Ned serves as the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Fairmont. Previously he led the local Chamber of Commerce for 4 years and worked with local businesses as a sales representative for over 30 years. He has a passion for Martin County and appreciates the arts and everything they do to enrich our community. Ned is excited to be included on the Imagine Martin board of directors and looks forward to working with all of our partners in the art and business community.
Danielle Moeller
Danielle grew up in Fairmont and has loved art from a early age. She considers herself a hobbyist artist who is currently focused on digital art, leatherwork, and soft paste;s, but she also enjoys trying all sorts of media and classes (from stained glass to welding). You can see some of her work at Graham Tire, and entiers into both the Martin County Fair and the Red Rock show for local artists! Danielle is eager to help develop the arts and art opportunities for those within Martin County.
Committee Members & Media hosts
To learn more about out television show
To learn more about this segment
To learn more about our mural committee CLICK HERE
To learn more about Going Hog Wild CLICK HERE