EVENT LINK: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org/current-exhibitions.html
FEE: Free & open to the public
Charles Beck | Woodcuts & Watercolors
On View In Our Studio K Gallery
January 20th - February 28th, 2026
Opening Reception
Opening reception: Tuesday, January 27th, 4:30-6:30pm
Exhibition Statement: This exhibition presents a selection of works by renowned artist Charles Beck, featuring woodcut prints, a medium for which he is widely known, alongside a group of intimate watercolor paintings. Also included is Green Tree, an acrylic painting created between 2015 and 2017 during Beck’s residency at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Together, these works offer a glimpse into Beck’s diverse practice and enduring artistic vision.
Charles Beck
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
(1923 – 2017)
Charles Beck was born in Fergus Falls in 1923. He began drawing in grade school where he would trade his work for candy and marbles. In the 1940’s Beck attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he studied art under Cyrus Running. While at Concordia Sports Director Jake Christiansen convinced him to play football, which was another important aspect of his college career. Beck credits Running and the Christiansen brothers (Jake and Paul) at Concordia as being great influences in his life. Beck graduated from Concordia in 1948 after taking time off to serve as a pilot in the Naval Air Force. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1950, and then returned to Fergus Falls where he worked as a sign painter.
In 1953 Beck enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he studied under Cameron Booth, Walter Quirt, and Malcolm Myers. It was at the University where Beck was first introduced to woodblock prints, and he completed his first print, The Holy Family. Beck joined the faculty at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 1960 where he taught for 27 years. Concordia granted Beck an Honorary Doctorate in 1980, and in 2006 the College honored Beck by naming the new gallery after him.
Charles Beck was influenced by the landscape of Otter Tail County and made it the predominant subject matter of his artwork, choosing to create an interpretation of his own experiences and vision rather than exact representations within his work. Charles Beck continued to create art until his death in September of 2017 at the age of 94. Beck remains one of the most recognizable artists in Minnesota.
