FEE: Free

Color Improvisations 3

Dates: March 28 – August 23, 2026
Location: William and Anna Jane Schlossman Gallery, Plains Art Museum

Color Improvisations 3 features 42 vibrant, large-scale quilts that explore the expressive possibilities of color in contemporary textile art. Curated by acclaimed artist Nancy Crow, the exhibition includes work by 38 artists from the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

Each piece was created specifically for this exhibition, highlighting a wide range of artistic voices united by innovation, bold composition, and masterful craftsmanship. Visitors will experience dynamic color palettes and inventive approaches that push the boundaries of quilt-making as an art form.

Following its international tour in Germany and North American debut in Nebraska, the exhibition continues its tour across the continent through 2029.

Exhibition Tour:
Thursday, April 9, 6:00–6:45 PM (Free)
Join a curatorial team-led tour exploring contemporary quilt-making and the ideas behind the exhibition.

FEE: Red Door members free to apply

Call for Art: Abstract/Impressionist Art Exhibition

Red Door Art Gallery – Wahpeton, ND

Submission Deadline: June 20, 2026
Deadline for Arrival of Artwork: June 27, 2026
Exhibition Dates: June 30 – August 1, 2026
Artists’ Reception: Thursday, July 10, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Artists are invited to submit work for the Abstract/Impressionist Art Exhibition. Open to artists residing in North Dakota, Minnesota, or South Dakota, as well as those with a connection to Wahpeton, ND or Breckenridge, MN.

This exhibition welcomes nonrepresentational and stylized work across a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, mixed media, wood carving, and textiles. Artists may submit 3–5 pieces(or up to 10 feet of wall space). All work must be for sale; a 30% gallery commission applies.

Submission Info:
Email images and artwork details (title, year, medium, dimensions, price, and description) to director@reddoorgallerywahpeton.com. First-time exhibitors must include an artist biography.

Additional Requirements:
Artists must be current members of Red Door Art Gallery, and all work must be ready to install and remain on view for the duration of the exhibition (unless sold).

Contact:
📞 701-591-1010
📧 director@reddoorgallerywahpeton.com

FEE: Free

Wiwahokichiyapi: They Promised Things to Each Other

April 25, 2026 – February 7, 2027 | Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND

Treaties are living documents that continue to serve as legally binding agreements shaping the political relationship between Native Nations and the United States government. These agreements established land boundaries, resource rights, and reservations; they determine Tribal Nation citizenship and outline mutual obligations. The influence of treaties, and the policies surrounding them, has had a profound impact on traditional and contemporary Indigenous life, art, and ways of making and knowing.

By pairing treaties with historical and contemporary images and art objects, this exhibition explores how treaties continue to impact Native people and reverberate through Native creativity and expression.

Wiwahokichiyapi: They Promised Things to Each Other provides an overview of treaties in the United States, with a focus on those connected to our region. The exhibition was developed in collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Plains Art Museum partnered with Lakȟóta Archeologist Tyrel Iron Eyes and the Giiwedinong Treaty Rights & Culture Museum team, including Logan Monroe, Don Wedll, and Winona LaDuke, whose research and expertise helped shape the exhibition. Students from Concordia College’s Digital Design class also contributed to the exhibition panel design.

This exhibition, and all exhibitions at Plains Art Museum, are free and open to the public.

FEE: Free to apply

Minnesota Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee – 2028 Call for Proposals

Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

Artists, organizations, and culture bearers are invited to apply for exhibition opportunities in the Minnesota State Capitol's 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery. Three exhibitions will be selected for display during the 2028 calendar year.

Exhibitions should tell Minnesota stories and engage visitors through themes such as:

• Minnesota history

• Government and civic engagement

• Contributions of Minnesota’s diverse communities

• Minnesota landscapes

• Community connection and public understanding

The application process includes two stages:

• Step 1: Initial proposal and 5–10 sample images

• Step 2: Invited applicants submit additional exhibition details and didactic materials

Selected exhibitions receive:

• A catered opening reception

• Marketing and promotional support

• Exhibition labels and event listings

• Installation assistance from Capitol staff

The gallery primarily accommodates two-dimensional artwork, with limited space available for three-dimensional pieces in display cases.

Important Dates

• June 15, 2026: Step 1 applications due

• By August 10, 2026: Selected applicants invited to Step 2

• September 14, 2026: Step 2 applications due

• January 2027: Final exhibitions announced

Virtual Information Sessions

• June 1, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 PM

• June 5, 2026 | Noon–1:00 PM

Artists are responsible for transportation of artwork. Artwork may not be sold while exhibited in the Capitol Gallery.

For complete guidelines and application information, contact Lindsey Rulon-Miller at the Minnesota Historical Society.

This opportunity offers a unique platform to share Minnesota stories and artistic perspectives with visitors from across the state in one of Minnesota’s most significant public spaces.

FEE: Free

LRAC BIPOC Artists Cohort FY26 Exhibition & John Magnuson Solo Exhibition

May 4 – June 25, 2026
Lake Region Arts Council Galleries, Fergus Falls, MN

The Lake Region Arts Council is proud to present two exhibitions celebrating creativity, artistic growth, and diverse perspectives from across Minnesota.

The Main Gallery features the LRAC BIPOC Artists Cohort FY26 Exhibition, marking the ninth year of LRAC’s BIPOC Artist Cohort Program. This exhibition showcases work by cohort artists Cody Avalos, Victoria McWane-Creek, Lyssa Lovejoy, and Katie Louise Muzquiz, whose practices span photography, painting, spoken word, mixed media, and community-centered artmaking. Together, their work explores themes of identity, memory, healing, connection, and creative expression.

In the Office Gallery, visitors can experience the first solo exhibition by Fergus Falls artist John Magnuson. Working in acrylics, inks, and found materials, Magnuson creates mixed-media works that blend abstract and representational elements while giving new life to repurposed materials.

Visitors are invited to explore these compelling exhibitions and engage with the artists’ unique perspectives and creative journeys.

Gallery admission is free and open to the public.

FEE: Free

Restless Horizons by Eddie Hamilton

May 12 – June 20, 2026 | Charles Beck Gallery at Kaddatz Galleries, Fergus Falls, MN

Kaddatz Galleries presents Restless Horizons, a new exhibition by Minnesota painter Eddie Hamilton on view in the Charles Beck Gallery from May 12 through June 20.

Eddie Hamilton’s paintings are alive with bold color, joyful energy, and a deep sense of wonder. Influenced by Post-Impressionists such as Gauguin and Sérusier, alongside contemporary artists like Keith Haring and David Hockney, Hamilton’s work captures both the fragility of nature and the “joyful absurdity” of being part of it all. In Restless Horizons, he brings his signature gestural sensibility to landscapes and wildlife, inviting viewers into the peace, playfulness, and mystery he finds in the natural world.

A Shoreview, Minnesota-based artist and special education teacher, Hamilton has been featured in a TEDx Talk and on TPT’s MN Original television series. His work is held in permanent collections including Hamline University, the Mayo Clinic, and Anoka Technical College.

Kaddatz Galleries is open Tuesday–Saturday from 12:00–5:00 PM and Thursdays from 12:00–7:00 PM. Admission is always free and open to the public.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

FEE: Free

They Said Be a Lady: An Art Exhibition by Lyssa Lovejoy

May 15 – July 3, 2026 | Prairie Arts Center, Morris, MN

Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance presents They Said Be a Lady, a solo exhibition by Minnesota artist Lyssa Lovejoy exploring identity, expectation, femininity, and personal narrative through layered mixed-media artwork.

Known for her intuitive and emotionally resonant creative practice, Lovejoy’s work combines painting, collage, texture, and storytelling to examine the cultural pressures and lived experiences surrounding womanhood. Through expressive imagery and layered materials, the exhibition invites viewers into a conversation about identity, resilience, memory, and transformation.

An opening reception will take place Thursday, May 21 from 6:00–8:00 PM with an artist talk beginning at 6:30 PM. A Zoom link for the artist talk will be available through the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance website.

Prairie Arts Center is located at 630 Atlantic Ave., Morris, MN. Gallery hours are Wednesday–Friday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

This activity is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State Legislative Appropriation.

FEE: Free

“From the Cities of Europe to the Lakes of Minnesota” – The Art of Melissa Werpy

May 22 – June 21, 2026 | Ida Graves Distillery Tasting Room, Alexandria, MN

The Alexandria Art Guild, in collaboration with Ida Graves Distillery, presents From the Cities of Europe to the Lakes of Minnesota, an exhibition featuring the work of artist Melissa Werpy. Working in both painting and fine art ceramics, Werpy creates pieces that explore the relationship between form, function, and artistic expression. This unique exhibition highlights how her creative processes intersect, resulting in artwork that is both beautiful and functional.

Artist Talk:
Sunday, June 21 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Join Melissa Werpy for an artist talk at Ida Graves Distillery and hear firsthand about her artistic inspirations, creative journey, and the processes behind the works featured in the exhibition. Visitors are invited to enjoy the artwork while sampling handcrafted cocktails from the distillery.

FEE: Free

Before We Were Happy:
2026 Annual Adult Regional Show

May 26 – July 3, 2026 | New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center presents its 2026 Annual Adult Regional Show, Before We Were Happy. Inspired by this year’s Great American Think-Off question, the exhibition invites regional artists to explore complex ideas and personal perspectives through visual art.

A special reception celebrating both the exhibiting artists and the Great American Think-Off finalists will take place on Friday, June 12, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. This free community event offers an opportunity to engage with thought-provoking artwork while enjoying conversation and connection with artists, thinkers, and community members.

The exhibition will be on view from May 26 through July 3, 2026.

FEE: Free to Apply

Call for Artists: Fall Into Art Festival Art Competition

Application Deadline: Monday, September 7, 2026 | Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance, Morris, MN

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) is seeking artists to participate in the Fall Into Art Festival Art Competition on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Side Park in Morris, Minnesota.

This year’s competition theme is “Celebrating the Prairie,” and artists are invited to submit original three-dimensional artwork inspired by prairie landscapes, nature, flora and fauna, regional history, or culture. Eligible works may include sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, woodworking, metalwork, mosaics, mixed media, furniture, garden art, planters, bird baths, rain barrel art, and other creative three-dimensional forms.

All submitted works must be original, viewable in three dimensions, and have a minimum value of $100. Contest entries will be considered donations to the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance and will be auctioned during a live auction following the competition, with proceeds supporting PRCA programming and community arts initiatives.

Cash prizes will be awarded through public voting during the festival:
• First Place — $300
• Second Place — $200
• Third Place — $100

Artists donating a contest piece will also receive a free vendor booth space during the festival to display or sell additional artwork.

The Fall Into Art Festival takes place from 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM and features live music, food trucks, art vendors, beverages, and free family-friendly art activities throughout the day.

To participate, artists should email prca@prairierenaissance.org by September 7 with their name, address, phone number, artwork value, and — if possible — a photo of the work. Artists should also indicate whether they would like a free vendor booth space.

For additional information, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262 or prca@prairierenaissance.org.

FEE: Free

Art Fusion

May 29 – June 27, 2026 | Evansville Art Center, Evansville, MN

Art Fusion is the newest exhibition at the Evansville ArtCenter Gallery, featuring a collaborative showcase by visual artists Olivia Hoppe and Beth Jacobson.

Bringing together two distinct artistic approaches, media, and techniques, the exhibition creates a dynamic visual experience celebrating contrast, creativity, and collaboration. Through their differing styles and materials, Hoppe and Jacobson offer viewers a vibrant and engaging collection of work that highlights the possibilities created when artistic perspectives intersect.

The Evansville ArtCenter is located at 111 Main Street in Evansville, Minnesota.

FEE: Free to attend.

Art for All, featuring art priced at $100 or less.  All pieces must be the original work of the artist, and artists must be current gallery members.  You can become a member at the Artist level for as little as $25 per year.  You can view the details here: https://www.reddoorgallerywahpeton.com/call-for-worksartists.html.  This event runs from June 2 – 27.

FEE: Free

Four Points of Light Studio Open House

June 19–20, 2026 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Evansville, MN

Evansville artists Calvin deRuyter, Lyssa Lovejoy, Jackie Henning, and Stephen Henning invite the public to the first Four Points of Light Studio Open House of the summer. Working from three studios located just minutes apart, these artists have joined together to create a unique destination for art lovers, offering visitors the opportunity to experience a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums in one self-guided tour.

Visitors can explore contemporary and abstract painting, impressionist landscapes, photography-based mixed media, and more while meeting the artists in their creative spaces and learning about their processes and inspirations.

Participating Artists:

• Calvin deRuyter – Award-winning painter known for his exploration of color, texture, and visual contrast.

• Lyssa Lovejoy – Contemporary artist creating thematic series that blend abstract, figurative, and narrative elements.

• Jackie Henning – Mixed-media artist incorporating photography, painting, found objects, and original textures.

• Stephen Henning – Contemporary impressionist landscape painter whose work is inspired by rural Minnesota and held in collections around the world.

Studio Locations:

• Calvin deRuyter: 18541 County Road 1 NW, Evansville, MN

• Jackie & Stephen Henning: 22399-A Oak Hill Road NW, Evansville, MN

• Lyssa Lovejoy: 508 N Gran Street, Evansville, MN

Enjoy a summer weekend of art, creativity, and conversation while discovering the vibrant artistic community of Evansville.

FEE: Free

Art DeTour Studio Tour 2026

June 19–20, 2026 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Daily | Various Locations Throughout the Alexandria Lakes Area

Explore the creativity of the region during the Art DeTour Studio Tour 2026, a free, self-guided tour featuring 21 artists at 11 studio and gallery locations throughout Alexandria, Miltona, Evansville, and Vining.

Hosted by the Alexandria Art Guild, this annual event invites visitors to meet artists in their creative spaces, enjoy artist demonstrations, and shop for original artwork in a wide variety of mediums including painting, ceramics, woodturning, photography, jewelry, fiber art, found-object sculpture, and more.

Featured artists include Becky Albright, Matt Bakke, Jewett Benson, Dallas Bordson, Calvin deRuyter, Julie Gish, Kathy Grundei, Ruth Hanson, Jacqueline and Stephen Henning, Barbara Johnson, Lyssa Lovejoy, Lyn Mack, Bill and Merodie Seykora, Amy and David Sunderland, Kate and Phil Smith, Todd Ninman, Tom Weaver, and others.

Visitors may tour at their own pace and create a personalized route through the lakes area while discovering local art, meeting artists, and experiencing the region’s vibrant creative community.

No admission fee. All are welcome.

FEE: Free

Threads of Offering | Thương Hoài Trần

June 27, 2026 – January 24, 2027 | The Ruth and Seymour Landfield Atrium & Xcel Energy Gallery at Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND

Threads of Offering presents the work of interdisciplinary Vietnamese American artist Thương Hoài Trần, whose creative practice explores identity, family history, displacement, memory, and diasporic connection through processes of weaving and unweaving.

Bringing together two major bodies of work — Ông Bà and Made in Vietnam — the exhibition examines the emotional and cultural complexities of immigration, generational disconnect, and labor. In Ông Bà, Vietnamese for “grandparents,” Hoài Trần creates monumental woven portraits honoring their family members. Each strand of yarn is hand dyed before being woven into large-scale portraits and partially unraveled, symbolizing fragmented memories, unspoken histories, and complicated familial relationships. Standing between seven and eight feet tall, the works evoke the presence of ancestors towering over viewers in the Ruth and Seymour Landfield Atrium.

Displayed in the Xcel Energy Gallery, Made in Vietnam features garments labeled “Made in Vietnam” that the artist collected, altered, and investigated through various material interventions. One featured work documents Hoài Trần painstakingly disassembling garments thread by thread over more than 24 hours, condensed into a one-minute video critiquing the hidden labor and exploitation embedded within fast fashion production. The work also functions as a self-portrait reflecting on diasporic identity and cultural inheritance.

Born in Tây Ninh, Vietnam and raised in Emporia, Kansas, Thương Hoài Trần holds degrees from Emporia State University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Their work has been exhibited nationally at institutions including the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, The Center for Craft, and the Studios at MASS MoCA.

Gallery admission is free every day of the week.

Generous support is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program; the North Dakota Council on the Arts; the Arts Partnership; the McKnight Foundation; The FUNd at Plains Art Museum; Giving Hearts Day donors; Spring Gala sponsors; and Plains Art Museum members.

FEE: $5 Admission | Free for Ages 11 & Under

Phelps Mill Festival

Saturday, July 11 – Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Phelps Mill County Park, Underwood, MN

Celebrate summer at the annual Phelps Mill Festival, one of the region’s largest and longest-running art and craft festivals. Held at historic Phelps Mill County Park, this two-day event features art, entertainment, food vendors, and hands-on art activities in a scenic outdoor setting.

Visitors can explore work by artists and makers from across the region while enjoying live entertainment, local food, family-friendly activities, and the historic atmosphere surrounding Phelps Mill.

Phelps Mill County Park is located at 29035 County Highway 45, Underwood, MN.

FEE: Free

Clear as Mud | Annie Lee-Zimerle and Brian Zimerle

August 1 – November 29, 2026 | Starion Bank Gallery at Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND

Clear as Mud brings together the work of Annie Lee-Zimerle and Brian Zimerle, two artists whose practices explore memory, materiality, and the quiet complexities of everyday life while reconsidering the promises and contradictions of the American Dream.

Drawing from backgrounds in printmaking, book arts, painting, drawing, and ceramics, the artists create works that reflect on domesticity, cultural mundanity, memory, and transformation. Annie Lee-Zimerle’s narrative-driven pieces examine her experiences growing up between South Korea and the American Midwest, while Brian Zimerle’s sculptural ceramics investigate the fragility of meaning through replicated objects shaped by history and material change. Together, their work invites viewers to consider what is preserved, altered, or lost over time, offering a layered meditation on belonging, cultural inheritance, and collective identity.

Annie Lee-Zimerle received her BFA and MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in numerous public and private collections. Brian Zimerle holds an MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art and has exhibited nationally while collaborating with archaeologists and institutions on historically informed ceramic recreations.

Gallery admission is free every day of the week.

Generous support is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program; the North Dakota Council on the Arts; the Arts Partnership; the McKnight Foundation; The FUNd at Plains Art Museum; Giving Hearts Day donors; Spring Gala sponsors; and Plains Art Museum members.