The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce our exhibit -- Nature’s Offerings: An Art Exhibit Featuring Works by Debbie Dahl Aune and Other NW Minnesota Artists. The exhibit is open from May 25 to August 1 Mondays through Fridays at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Nature’s Offerings is a broad concept. Everything we need as human beings has been provided by Nature -- food, water, shelter, medicine, and every material object we have ever created or will ever create as human beings. Nature delivers natural cycles of the year, warmth and coolness, fire and water, oceans and rivers, and the air we breathe. Besides all the tangible offerings, Nature also provides intangible qualities of healing, rejuvenation, and inspiration. When we spend time by a river, take a walk in the snow, look at a sunset, catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights we receive healing. Nature helps lower blood pressure, calm our anxious minds, cause us to stare in wonder and awe, and brings connection and consolation when we feel alone and distant.
Aune explained that her pieces in this exhibit “consist mostly of watercolor paintings about berry picking in the Beltrami Forest with family and friends.”
A workshop for the public was held to help create pieces for the exhibit. Trey Everett shared, "I loved watching participants in the workshop create using objects found in nature. From rocks to branches. leaves to roots, antlers to leather, clay to shells... some fun and powerful pieces of artwork emerged."
Artists in addition to Aune include CL Nelson of Hallock, Mara Hanel of Warren, Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla, Sherri Kukowski of Badger, Mary Ann Laxen of East Grand Forks, Cindy Kolling of Gully, Kristin Eggerling of Hallock, Ross Hier of Crookston, and Badger students Noah G, Kaitlyn Gust, Cale Lindland, and Peyton Lee.
You won’t want to miss this exhibit! Please join us for a free Artist Reception with Debbie and others on Wednesday, June 22 from 4 to 6 pm at the gallery. Refreshments will be served.
Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick up when the exhibit ends.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door A. Visitor parking is free.
Please join us for an online discussion with Debbie Dahl Aune on Tuesday, June 21 at 4 pm. You can watch this Artist Spotlight on Facebook Live or YouTube Live. Visit the NWMAC Facebook page or YouTube page for more information. The Artist Spotlight will also be available to view at any time after the live broadcast. Reach out to us with questions.