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: 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.facebook.com/share/16j2gDJfkj/

FEE: FREE and Open to the Public

Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Guest Juror Exhibition, juried by esteemed artist and cultural organizer Nancy Ariza. The exhibition will be on view at the LRAC Main Gallery from July 14 through September 16, 2025, with a closing reception on Tuesday, September 16, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

This annual exhibition is a highlight of LRAC’s gallery season, showcasing the creative breadth and talent of regional artists. Each year, a guest juror is invited to review submissions from artists working in all disciplines. For the 2025 exhibition, Ariza selected 28 works from a competitive pool of 102 entries, resulting in a vibrant and compelling mixed media show that includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, as well as bold explorations of color, texture, and form.

Naomi RaMona Schliesman, LRAC Gallery Curator, shares:

“The Guest Juror Exhibition is always very popular with regional artists, and we receive over 100 submissions each year. Every Guest Juror brings their own talent, aesthetic, and professional eye when jurying the work. It transforms our gallery space and creates a buzz with our visitors. We invite established artists to select the very best from our regional talent, and it’s consistently one of the strongest mixed media exhibitions we present.”

About the Guest Juror – Nancy Ariza

Nancy Ariza is a printmaker, educator, and arts and cultural organizer with over a decade of experience designing and leading arts programming in museums and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. In 2024, she founded Amilado Press, a collaborative print studio based in Richfield, MN, focused on publishing, artist residencies, and arts education.

In addition to her work at Amilado Press, Ariza serves on the Leadership Council of Serpentina Arts, supporting Latinx artists across Minnesota, and is a board member of the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. She holds an MA in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, specializing in culturally responsive teaching, and earned a BA in Art History and a BFA in Printmaking from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Exhibiting Artists:

Katie Muzquiz (Detroit Lakes, MN), Thom Tammaro (Moorhead, MN), Marie Merten (Alexandria, MN), Mary Erickson (Menahga, MN), Loretta Cantieri (Moorhead, MN), Kim Baird (Moorhead, MN), Tricia Coulson (Rochert, MN), Annette DuBord (Moorhead, MN), Laura VonBank (Moorhead, MN), Linda Beilke (Detroit Lakes, MN), Alyssa Christoffers (Moorhead, MN), John Shaw (Battle Lake, MN), Carmen Bruhn (Detroit Lakes, MN), Lrez (Perham, MN), John Beaudine (Moorhead, MN), Nancy X. Valentine (Battle Lake, MN), Katy J. Olson (Underwood, MN), Dennis Krull (Moorhead, MN), Torri Hanna (Fergus Falls, MN), and Maggie Peterson (Detroit Lakes, MN).

Gallery Hours:
Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed Friday – Sunday
Please call or email in advance to ensure the gallery is open on the day of your visit.
Contact: 1-800-262-2787 or 218-739-5780 | Email: LRAC4@LRACgrants.org

“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, with additional support from the McKnight Foundation.”

Event Link: https://www.hcscconline.org/njals-saga-tapestry.html

FEE: Regular admission applies, Free Tuesday Evening from 5 to 8pm

The HCSCC is excited to display a small section of the Njal's Saga Tapestry from Iceland. The exhibition of this remarkable work of the hands will be in the Viking ship gallery of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN, Aug. 6-13, 2025. Njal’s Saga is the most popular and famous of the Viking-era Icelandic sagas and a source of enormous cultural pride in Iceland and among Icelandic Americans.

Inspired by the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry in France, a small community in southern Iceland set out to create its own hand-embroidered illustration of its most famous tale. Begun on Feb. 2, 2013, and completed on Sept. 15, 2020, the 50-centimetre-wide tapestry was hand-embroidered on 100% linen with Icelandic wool yarn used for the stitching. The yarn was dyed with Icelandic herbs by ancient Viking methods. The two stitches used are based on those in the Bayeux Tapestry which are now thought to have originated in Iceland. Due to unprecedented interest and many volunteer embroiderers stopping in to work on it, the tapestry was completed more quickly than originally planned.​

Alongside this display will be a series of events hosted by  Claudia Pétursson , an Icelandic-American with a strong passion for the project. Events include:

 A Presentation on the Project by Claudia Pétursson - August 7 at 6pm in the Oak Room of the Hjemkomst Center, Free

A Workshop on the Stitches used in the Tapestry directed by Claudia Pétursson - August 9 & 10 from 1 to 3pm in the Oak Room of the Hjemkomst Center, Free
​
A Book Club Discussion of Njal's Saga led by Claudia Pétursson - August 12 at 6pm in the Oak Room of the Hjemkomst Center, Free

Copies of Njal's Saga and embroidery kits will be available for purchase at the Heritage Gift Shop in the Hjemkomst Center. 

 This 5-metre exhibit will also be shared at the following places and dates:
                                    Jul. 31 – Aug 3     Mountain, ND                               The Deuce-ICA of ND
                                    Aug. 4-5              Gimli, Manitoba                             Icelandic Festival of Manitoba
                                    Aug. 14-21           Nome, ND                                      Nome Schoolhouse
                                    Aug. 22-29         Minneapolis, MN                           Norway House              


This event is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State Legislative appropriation; The Arts Partnership with support from the Cities of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo; the Alex Stern Family Foundation, the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, the F-M Icelandic Klub, and Maureen Kelly Jonason.