Event Link: https://www.gizhiigin.org

FEE: FREE to attend gallery space.

Ceremony Blankets

An Exhibition by Rick Kagigebi
2024 McKnight Fiber Artist Fellowship Exhibition

February 21 – August 21, 2025
Opening Reception: March 18, 2025
Gizhiigin Arts Incubator
701 E Jefferson Ave
Mahnomen, MN 56557

Rick Kagigebi (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) is a blanket maker whose appliquéd mural blankets are created as ceremonial gifts. Every aspect of his process—from sketching to fabric selection, sewing, and tying—carries deep storytelling significance.

Event Link: https://www.prairiewetlands.org

FEE: NO FEE

The Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center are excited to again sponsor a prairie-themed photography contest! Thank you to all who participated in the previous years.

Nature photography is one of the many enriching activities available on our public lands. Photography is inexpensive, fun, and easy to do. In celebration of the plentiful opportunities to find and capture the beauty of the prairie, the contest is open to all amateur photographers.

Photos will be grouped into one of four categories: Prairie Wildlife, Prairie Plant Life, Prairie Scenic Views and Recreation, and Prairie Pollinators and Other Invertebrates. Individual photographers will be able to submit up to 5 prairie-themed photos taken on public lands in 2024/2025. The contest will accept submissions from September 14, 2024 through September 12, 2025. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a large metal print of their photo after it is displayed at the PWLC for one year! Other prizes will be available too, including gift certificates, award certificates, and more.

Please stay tuned for more announcements and visit our Facebook page for more information. We are anxious to see all the beautiful photographs captured on our region’s prairies!
Please visit our webpage for our entry form and contest rules, https://www.prairiewetlands.org/  Questions may be called in to our Friends phone line at (218) 998-4488 or email

Event Link: https://artofthelakes.wildapricot.org/store

FEE: Check link for all the fees and supplies options.

Open Ceramic Studio

 Wednesdays

May 14 - Aug. 27  5-8 pm

Every Wednesday, May 14-August 27, 5-8 pm
Purchase a Punch Card for studio access

Open Ceramic Studio is a series of dedicated sessions for the community and AOTL Members to use the ceramic studio in the Creative Arts Center. Open Ceramic Studio is for artists to work individually on personal ceramic projects. Participants will need prior ceramics background, as no formal instruction will be given. Kristi Everts and other ceramic artists will be available during the Open Ceramic Studio hours, for questions and assistance if needed.​

Equipment: Pottery wheels, bats, project boards are available. Tools are available for purchase or artists may bring their own tools. Limited tools are also available for use.
  
Supplies: 25# of clay are available for purchase for $35 which includes the cost of clay, firing and glaze.  No outside clay can be used unless approved prior to use with documentation of type and cone. We bisque at cone 06 and glaze at cone 6.  

• Commercial glazes are available for use. No outside glazes can be used without approval prior to use with documentation of cone from original container.

Event Link: https://www.artsidc.org

Event Link:  Project412mn.org/Charley-Harper.

FEE: FREE to attend the exhibition.

A vibrant new art exhibition featuring the work of iconic American artist Charley Harper has arrived in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota thanks to a unique international collaboration with the Muséum de Toulouse in France in partnership with the Charley Harper Art Studio. 

 

Muséum de Toulouse —the second largest museum in France—contacted Project 412 after learning about its recent work bringing artist Thomas Dambo and the world’s largest permanent troll exhibition to the area. Impressed by the organization's commitment to engaging the community through art and nature, the Muséum de Toulouse offered Detroit Lakes the first stop on the international tour of their “Colors & Shapes – Nature as Seen by Charley Harper” exhibit.

 

The indoor-outdoor exhibit features over 50 reproductions of Charley Harper’s art throughout Detroit Lakes in three locations: 

Zone 1: Who Was Charley Harper?  / See 12 Works of Art at Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park (28499 Randolph Rd)

 Zone 2: Charley Harper’s Unique Vision of Nature / See 27 Works of Art at the Becker County Museum (714 Summit Ave)

Zone 3: Charley Harper, Artist & Activist / See 13 Works of Art at the Washington Square Mall (808 Washington Ave)

 

The exhibits will remain open during each venue’s operating hours through September 15. This exhibition is free and open to the public - thanks to Project 412 Wave Makers.

 

“We’re thrilled to bring this visually striking display to Detroit Lakes and to continue showcasing internationally renowned art in our community,” said Amy Stearns, Executive Director for Project 412. “Charley Harper’s distinctive style and joyful celebration of nature align beautifully with our mission and our community’s creative spirit.”

 

For more information about the exhibition visit Project412mn.org/Charley-Harper.

Event Link: https://www.therourke.org

FEE: FREE to attend the Gallery.

Catherine Esmond Mulligan: Earth Pattern

Fri May 30th - Sun Aug 10th

Katherine-Kilbourne-Burgum/Gustavian-Gallery-Exhibit

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, 521 Main Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560, USA  

This exhibit is presented in part by the generous sponsorship support of Ene & Nick Vogel.

Event Link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?class=fmct&term=33701

FEE: Tuition Varies please look at event link fro details.

Join us for an adventurous theatre class and make new friends this summer with Summer Youth F/M Community Theatre. So many different programs to choose from and new adventures to take!

Event Link: https://www.henninglandmark.org

Landmark is open Tuesday & Thursday 1-4pm, Saturday 10-2pm, or any time by appointment. Our second floor retreat center has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths with space for 10 overnight guests. Our facility is available for public or private meetings, receptions, reunions, workshops or retreats.

Please call 218-548-5760 for more info.

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/clay-studio.html

FEE: $60/person / $48/person

Wednesday: June 4, July 2, or August 6
​6:30-9 pm
​Creative Arts Center

$60/person / $48/person
Early Bird offer ends 2 weeks before class date

For a unique and creative date night in Battle Lake, MN, consider a "Clay Date" where you and your partner or friend/s can learn to throw pottery on a wheel or engage in a hands-on clay sculpting experience. Fee includes clay, firing and glazing. No experience needed. Bring your favorite drink and a positive vibe for a memorable night! Work will be finished with your choice of glaze and ready for you to pick up in approximately 2 weeks. 18+

Things you need to know:
This is messy work, so wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty. We have aprons and towels available for use. Short nails are best for beginners working with clay on the wheel. We have nail clippers if you need to chop your claws. 

Event Link: https://plainsart.org

FEE: Free and open to the public.

Plains Art Museum is pleased
to announce the opening of Floating Beauty: Women in the Art of Ukiyo-e. The exhibition will be on view from June 7 to September 28, 2025, in The Museum’s Jane L. Stern Gallery.

Floating Beauty examines historical
perspectives on women and their depiction
in art in Edo Period Japan (1603 – 1867).
Made up entirely of woodblock prints created
in the ukiyo-e style, this exhibition highlights
female characters in literature, kabuki theatre,
and poetry; the courtesans and geisha of the
Yoshiwara district; and wives and mothers from
different social classes performing the duties
of their station, in order to gain some insight
into the lives of women in pre-modern Japan.
Through a Washitsu display, and the Usuki
Family objects, you will learn about historical Japan and gain insight into the lives of women during this period.

In the tradition of ukiyo-e, women are most commonly represented in the bijinga (“pictures of beautiful women”) genre. Featured in these prints are beautifully depicted courtesans with elaborate hairstyles, heavy make-up, and highly decorative clothing. These beauties were considered the ‘ideal woman,’ and aside from their physical radiance, they were passive, attentive, and well trained in the entertainment of their male companions.

Looking beyond the bijinga, this exhibition shows that women in Edo society were hard working and industrious individuals. Society scorned idleness in women of all ages, and even high-ranking females were required to perform a litany of tasks. Women were expected to be subservient but not weak; weakness would not run a demanding household or manage business affairs. For those outside of a traditional household role such as the courtesans
and geisha of the Yoshiwara, life was even more harsh. Similarly, female literary characters were well-defined and robust, but often did not fare well, eventually falling victim to the devices of men.

Over fifty woodblock prints will be featured in the exhibition, including works by ukiyo-e masters Suzuki Harunobu, Kitagawa Utamaro, Katsushika Hokusai (The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa), Utagawa Kunisada, Kikugawa Eizan, and Utagawa Hiroshige. The entire exhibition is taken from the permanent collection of the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, who organized the exhibition.

Event Link: https://www.therourke.org

FEE: Tickets required for Opening Reception for June 18th and other museums day free to public.

Wednesday 18 June 2025

The 66th Midwestern Preview
at The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Tickets | Members $15, Non-Members $30
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-PURCHASE AT THE MUSEUM and AT DOORS

Preview | Doors Open 5 p.m.

Celebration in the
M. Dorian Clemedtson Sculpture Court
with music from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Awards Ceremony 6:30 p.m.

The 65th Anniversary Dinner
at Rustica Eatery & Tavern
Limited Seating: Reservations Required
​Social 7 p.m.
Dinner Served 7:30 p.m.

$57.50 per person plus beverages
paid at Rustica Eatery & Tavern

DINNER MENU & RESERVATION FORM

Thursday 19 June 2025

The Midwestern Luncheon with Emily Dickinson
at The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Very Limited Seating: Reservations Required
Social Hour 11 a.m.
Luncheon Served 11:30 a.m.

$47.50 per person pre-paid within Reservation Form

LUNCHEON MENU & RESERVATION FORM

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/prairie-lakes-plein-air-2025.html

FEE: Go to link for various fees

The Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series is a festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to professional and non-professional artists of all skill levels. Enjoy your summer painting in the idyllic setting of Otter Tail County, situated in West-Central Minnesota lakes country. Delve into the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams for an inspirational painting experience. Attend Plein Air demos & workshops (artists to be announced soon). 

Artists and collectors will enjoy many activities including the Opening Reception, Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork.

Schedule of Events
Opening Day for Artists June 21, 2025 10 am - 12 pm
Artists meet at the Creative Arts Center, 112 Main St W, Battle Lake, MN​

• Pick up your welcome packets. 

• Mark Windahl will present on plein air concepts and history. 

• Shanna Cramer will cover some of what to expect with PLPA 25.

• Bring your questions! 

We'll paint out following the presentations. Bring your supplies and paint along! 

Plein Air Competition June 21- August 28, 2025
Throughout the summer, artists will be painting Plein Air in and around our Battle Lake community and Otter Tail County. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe as the artists seek to represent the shifting light, extraordinary colors and textures of our varied rural landscape. We ask that participants and observers do not block entrances/traffic ways to businesses. Free to the public; artists must register.

ARTIST REGISTRATION

Demonstrations/Workshops
To explore a variety of en Plein Air styles and techniques, artists and community members will have the opportunity to attend a range of art classes and artist talks with our featured artists.

CLASSES

Classes and Workshops will be announced soon

​Weekend Festivities August 29 & 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes Plein Air art series will be capped off with a full weekend of enjoyable events all happening in or near Battle Lake.

Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony 
​Friday evening, 6-8 pm, August 29, 2025 TICKETED
The Collector's Preview and Award Ceremony will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest. This exhibition of works by the competition participants will be held in the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake. Grand Prize winners will be announced in a special award ceremony by oil and pastel painter and this year's judge, Cheryl LeClair-Sommer. Come and be inspired! 
Tickets purchased in advance: $8 AOTL members, $10 non-members 
Tickets purchased at the door: $20

TICKETS

Tickets will be available soon

Quick Paint Saturday, 9:30 - 11:30 am, August 30, 2025
Participating artists will be found painting throughout Battle Lake within earshot of the CAC. Vote for your favorite from 12pm to 2:45 pm. People's Choice and Artists' Choice awards are announced at 3 pm. 

Plein Air Demonstration with Cheryl LeClair-Sommer
Saturday, 1 - 3 pm, August 30, 2025
To inspire those who want to know more about Plein Air painting, join judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer in or near the CAC as she provides a demonstration and shares tips and answers your questions. 

Quick Paint Awards Saturday, 3 pm, August 30, 2025
Our Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival concludes at the CAC where Quick Paint Awards will be presented and competition paintings will be on display. 

Competition Exhibition August 30 - September 27, 2025
The Art of the Lakes Gallery will be open for the general public to view paintings from this event and make purchases.

Competition Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer

Competition Class
$1000 - Best in Show
$500 - 2nd Place Award
$250 - 3rd Place Award
$150 - People's Choice Award
$50 - 3 Honorable Mentions

Quick Paint (Must be painted at the August 30 event)
$75 - People's Choice
$75 - Artists' Choice

Open Class
​Recognition Award and Judge's Feedback

About Our Judge
Cheryl LeClair-Sommer is a Minnesota based representational painter working mainly in oils, featuring works that highlight the natural world. Her main focus, painting landscapes directly outside, originates from her spiritual connection to the land and reverence for nature's raw beauty. Studio paintings feature the natural world as observed through the human imprint. 

Event Link: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org/summerartsacademy2025.html

FEE: See Class Fees in post descriptions

Unleash Your Child's Creativity This Summer!

 We're excited to announce our 2025 Summer Arts Academy, featuring two sessions of engaging, hands-on art classes for students going into grades K-4 + 5-8. Our carefully designed programs blend creative exploration with skill-building in a supportive environment led by accomplished local artists.

 SESSION 1: June 23-27, 2025

 Fluids & Fibers with Amanda Callahan

 Going into Grades K-4 | 10:00am-12:00pm | $125 | Kaddatz Galleries Classroom

 Young artists will begin by exploring the unpredictable nature of fluid mediums like acrylic paint, watercolor, and inks. As the week progresses, they'll transition to structured creations using felt, foam, fibers, and fabric to craft unique 2D and 3D artworks. This dynamic class perfectly balances spontaneity with intentional creation!

Register Now

A Brief History of Clay – Brought to Life with Blayze Buseth

 Going into Grades 5-8 | 1:00-4:00pm | $150 | Creation Shop

 This exciting workshop takes students on a journey through clay's transformative role in human history. Over five days, participants will travel through time, learning prehistoric pinch pots, Neolithic coil-building, Mesopotamian slab techniques, wheel-throwing, and modern clay innovations. Each session blends hands-on technique with reflection on how clay has shaped civilizations and what it teaches us about creativity and community.

 Register Now

SESSION 2: July 28 - August 1, 2025

A Brief History of Clay – Brought to Life with Blayze Buseth

 Going into Grades K-4 | 10:00am-12:00pm | $125 | Creation Shop

 The popular clay workshop returns for our younger artists! This hands-on experience explores clay's important role throughout human history—from ancient survival tools to modern self-expression. Students will learn prehistoric pinch pots, Neolithic coil-building, Mesopotamian slab techniques, and more, while reflecting on clay's impact on civilizations and our creative potential.

 Register Now

Explore Creativity with Artist Naomi RaMona Schliesman

 Going into Grades 5-8 | 1:00-4:00pm | $150 | Kaddatz Galleries Classroom

 Join interdisciplinary artist Naomi RaMona Schliesman from Fergus Falls for an engaging art class experience! Students will explore 2D and 3D design elements, develop technical skills, and experiment with various materials while learning creative problem-solving. The class covers techniques in acrylic & watercolor painting, clay relief, printmaking, colored pencils, and mixed media, while providing insights into art movements through creating Surrealist self-portraits, abstract paintings, watercolors, and sculptures.

 No prior experience needed—just a willingness to explore and create! Students should wear clothes that can get messy and may bring a drink and snack if desired. Lemonade and a small treat will be provided.

 Register Now

Event Link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?class_id=fmct~123482

FEE: Tuition: $450

Peter Pan (5th-9th Grade)

June 30-August 10

Enrollment level is the grade most recently completed.

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm

Location: Hjemkomst Center

This summer, embark on a whimsical journey to Neverland with our enchanting production of Peter Pan! Watch as Peter, the boy who never grows up, leads Wendy, John, and Michael Darling on an unforgettable adventure filled with pirates, fairies, and lost boys. Help us bring this timeless tale to life with stunning sets, vibrant costumes, and captivating performances that will delight audiences of all ages.

This full-day camp will be held at Studio 13, located at Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead. 

Event Link: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org/current-exhibitions.html

FEE: Free to Attend the Gallery and reception on July 10th.

NAOMI RAMONA SCHLIESMAN:
HEILUNG SAAÁM (HEALING MEDICINE)

On View at in the Charles Beck Gallery July 8 - August 16, 2025

Opening Reception: 5-7PM Thursday, July 10, 2025
This event is free to attend and open to the public.

​Exhibition Statement (in her own words):This new body of work reflects a deeply personal journey—one of healing, connection, and transformation through art. It tells the story of how I have used creative practice as a tool for personal healing, both for myself and in relationship with my child. Rooted in the belief that healing is multi-sensory and multifaceted, these works explore how we can use our senses—touch, sound, vibration, color, and spatial awareness—to reestablish a connection with ourselves, our bodies, and our environments.
Drawing from both Western and Eastern understandings of medicine, this installation considers the role of art as a form of care and restoration. I am interested in how we nurture the body—not only through what we consume physically, but through the environments we create and inhabit. In this work, healing becomes a sensory conversation between the self and the space: art is the medium, and the body is both the receiver and the responder.
I create immersive installations that explore the interplay of material, scale, and perception. Using a vibrant palette and a diverse mix of materials—wood, plaster, fiber, and paint—I build tactile environments that play with contrast and contradiction: hard and soft, domestic and institutional, playful and contemplative. These material tensions become metaphors for emotional and physical states, inviting the viewer into a space where meaning shifts depending on perspective and experience.
My goal is to create a space that is both nurturing and provocative—a place where viewers feel compelled to touch, to feel, to pause. Color becomes a bridge between the aesthetic and the emotional; texture becomes a point of entry into deeper contemplation. Through these works, I invite others to consider how they care for their own bodies, how they create spaces of healing in their lives, and how art can act as both a mirror and a balm.
This body of work is not just an installation—it is an offering. A space for curiosity, comfort, reflection, and ultimately, connection.


About the Artist:
Naomi RaMona Schliesman is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist with over 20 years of experience of exhibiting her work in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Seattle, and throughout the Midwest. With a deep-rooted passion for sculpture, mixed media, and community engagement, she holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009) and a BFA with an emphasis in sculpture from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Schliesman has been recognized with prestigious fellowships from Ragdale and Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the Arts and was awarded 2nd place in the Miami University Young Sculptors Competition for the William and Dorothy Yeck Award. She was also a LEAP finalist for the Society of Contemporary Craft Award. Her commitment to art as a catalyst for community engagement led to her selection by Smart Growth America, Forecast Public Art, and West Central Initiative to develop a reusable community engagement kit, integrating both virtual and physical tools to benefit West Central Minnesota.

A passionate advocate for mentorship and storytelling through art, Schliesman was one of two Artist Organizers leading a youth mentorship project in Otter Tail County. This initiative resulted in Return to Normal? COVID Diaries from Local Youth, a multimedia exhibition funded by the CDC Foundation in partnership with Springboard for the Arts, Otter Tail County Historical Society, and Otter Tail County Public Health Department.

Her artistic journey extends internationally, having traveled to Italy, Scotland, Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belize to study art movements and participate in prestigious residencies, including Vermont Studio Center, Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the Arts, Ragdale, The Traveling Museum, and Hospitalfield Arts.
In addition to her own practice, Schliesman is deeply committed to arts education and professional development. She taught 2D and 3D Design and served as Gallery Director for the School of Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead (2011–2013). From 2013 to 2020, she was the Artist Development Director for rural programming at Springboard for the Arts in Fergus Falls, MN, where she managed the Hinge Arts at the Kirkbride residency program, led Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workshops, facilitated artist development panels, and provided career consultations for artists across the United States.

Currently, Schliesman resides in rural Minnesota, where she maintains an active studio practice and continues her freelance work. She is a contracted Artist Career Consultant and Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists facilitator for Springboard for the Arts, a teaching artist for Kaddatz Galleries, and the Gallery Curator at Lake Region Legion Arts Council.

Through her extensive collaborations with artists and organizations nationwide, Schliesman remains dedicated to fostering creative storytelling, community engagement, and producing her work in her studio practice.

Naomi RaMona Schliesman 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.​​

Event Link: https://www.emceramics.studio/art-project-605-main

FEE: FREE to attend.

Art Project 605, in downtown Detroit Lakes, presents Shared Visions, an exhibition of recent paintings and works on paper by three lakes-area artists, Kent Estey, Jennifer Paulsrud, and Jennie Ward.

Event Link: https://www.chalkinsauk.org

FEE: Event is free. There is a booth fee for artists ($125 single/$250 double)

Sauk Centre Festival of the Arts combines a chalk festival, "Chalk in Sauk" with an art fair, "Art on the Avenue" and also includes a free concert with Robbie Vee in the Sauk Centre Bandshell on Saturday night. The event will be held at Sinclair Lewis Park in Sauk Centre, where Main Street meets Sauk Lake. Last year's event attracted approximately 2,000 people. We are looking for artists in any of the following areas: painting, drawing, pottery, wood, fabric, glass, jewelry, and mixed media. Cost for a 10x10 booth is $125 after that. Double booths are available for $250. No electricity. Link to apply directly is: https://form.jotform.com/250276299668170.

Event Link: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

FEE: FREE to Apply!

“ART of Toys”

Exhibition Dates: Monday, October 7th – Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Call for artists Monday, July 21st - Monday, August 18, 2025

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists to apply

Reception Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - 5:30-7pm – Artist Talk 6pm

Toys are a part of our lives at a very young age and help us to use our imagination! You can build with toys, create with toys, play with others and be inspired by toys. We ask artists, “how toys have inspired you, and how they “played” a role in your life?

Eligibility & Guidelines

This Call for Art is open to all artists living in the nine counties served by the Lake Region Arts Council:
Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota.

• Artists may submit 1 to 3 works of art for consideration.

• All mediums, styles, and themes are welcome!

• 2D artwork must be framed and/or ready to hang.

• Pedestals will be provided for 3D artwork.

How to Apply

The online application portal opens on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Apply here: LRAC Online Application

• New applicants will need to create an account.

• Returning applicants should log in using their previous credentials.

Important Dates

Call Opens: Monday, July 21, 2025
Application Deadline: Monday, August 18th, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Artist Notification: Friday, August 29th, 2025
Exhibition Dates: October 6th – December16th, 2025
Opening Reception: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM

For more information, please visit the LRAC Gallery website or contact:
Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Gallery Curator: gallerycurator4@gmail.com

All Artwork needs to be framed and/or ready to hang for 2D pieces with hanging wire. We have pedestals for 3D artwork. Please fill out the online application located on the LRAC Gallery website page.

Call for Art Information: 888-735-9622

https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

***New applicants will need to create an account, and returning applicants should use their previous credentials to log on.

https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=lakeregion

 “These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.”

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/education.html

FEE: $70./$75. Member/Non-Member
 $65./$70. Member/Non-Member Early Bird (by July 10)

Ceramic Birdhouse Wind Chimes with Brad Wegscheid
July 24 & 31, 5-8 pm

​Sculpt and build a ceramic bird house style wind chime. Every garden needs one! No previous skills needed or use skills you already have to make more elaborate projects. Cost covers firing and all materials. Ages adults and youth 16+.

Event Link: https://www.kulcher.org/2025-kalevala-puppet-pageant/
FEE: $5/adult gate donation (children under 16 free) to get into Finn Creek Festival. Freewill donations will be collected at both performances to help cover the costs of this enriching community experience.

2025 Kalevala Puppet Pageant

16th Annual Community Theater for All Ages
Workshops begin Mon, Aug 4, 2025!
TWO Public Performances:
Friday 8/15/25 @ NYM Corn Feed
Saturday 8/16/25 @ Finn Creek Fest

The Puppet Pageant is an original large-scale street theater play based on stories from the Finnish national epic poem, the Kalevala, written and narrated by Creative Director Anne Sawyer, and performed by youth and community members from the New York Mills region.

This annual community theater program brings people together to learn a wide variety of artistic skills including acting and stilt-walking, plus learn about Finnish culture and heritage, and make connections with fellow community members and artists.

Daily workshops for participants begin on Monday, August 4, 2025; details below.  In 2025, there will be two public performances of the Kalevala Puppet Pageant:

• Friday, August 15 @ 7pm @ NYM VFW Post 3289 during NYM Civic & Commerce Corn Feed

• Saturday, August 16 @ 12pm @ Finn Creek Open Air Museum during Finn Creek Festival

Performances are open to all! Friday’s performance at VFW is free to attend. For the Saturday performance, there is a $5/adult gate donation (children under 16 free) to get into Finn Creek Festival. Freewill donations will be collected at both performances to help cover the costs of this enriching community experience.

Be Part of the Show!

Adults and youth ages 5 & up (children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling) are invited to participate. There are two weeks of workshops beginning August 4, 2025, leading up to the culminating performances on Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16, 2025.

Dance, music, acting, costume design, performance skills, and stilt walking are all taught by Anne Sawyer, Creative Director, along with Assistant Director Lisa Winter of Wadena, and Tara Fahey of Minneapolis.

During the two weeks of workshops, participants will create and build puppets and props of all sizes in addition to learning the story and performance of the narrated play. Stilt walking will be included again this year as an added element to the performance (optional for youth ages 8 & older and adult participants).

The cost to participate in these two weeks of workshops and two performances is $50/child with a $100 max per family. Scholarships are available; no one will be turned away based on inability to pay. Parent volunteerism is always appreciated! Teens and adults participate for FREE! Grants, donors, and sponsorship support make this possible.

Click below to register (and pay) online, or complete the registration link below and stop by the Cultural Center to pay in person if you prefer. If meeting the family max ($100) or for scholarship participants, complete the form online and stop by to pay. Open House: Wednesdays & Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm. Contact us to make other arrangements or with questions at 218-385-3339 or info@kulcher.org.

Event Link: https://www.artofthelakes.org/education.html

FEE: $35/$40 Member/Non-Member
$30/$35 Early Bird Member/Non-Member (by July 25) 

Slow Stitching: The Relaxing World of Hand Sewing with Kim Graff
August 8 & 15, 10-12 noon

Yearning for a break from the fast-paced, digital world we live in? In a world where everything seems to be rushing by, there's a charming and therapeutic escape waiting for you in the form of slow stitching. 

Why Slow Stitching?
1.    Mindful Relaxation: Slow stitching is a form of mindfulness. When you're engaged in this gentle activity, your mind calms down, and you become fully immersed in the present moment. It's like a mini vacation for your brain!
2.    Creativity Unleashed: With slow stitching, you have the freedom to let your creativity flow. You can design your projects, choose fabrics, and experiment with different stitches to create unique and personalized items.
3.    Connection to Tradition: Slow stitching has a rich history. It connects you to generations of crafters who used hand sewing to mend, embellish, and create. It's a beautiful way to carry forward a timeless tradition.
4.    Sustainability: In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, slow stitching promotes sustainability. By repairing and upcycling textiles, you can reduce waste and contribute to an eco-friendlier lifestyle.

Attendees should bring fabric scraps of interest, sewing needles & scissors. 

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/LegacyoftheLakes/

FEE: $25 at the gate

A trip down nostalgia lane for those who have fond memories of spending summer at the lake.  Stories and songs presented by talented musicians and storytellers that will engage your imagination and your fond memories of summers spent on a Minnesota lake.  Anyone who loves stories and music will love this show!
In the Gardens at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum - Alexandria, MN