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Kaddatz Galleries is excited to announce the opening of two new exhibitions on November 4, 2024 by artists Carla Benjamin and Blazye Buseth that will be on view through December 21, 2024. The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, November 7, from noon - 2:00 pm, featuring artist remarks at 1:00 pm.
In the Main Gallery - Carla Benjamin: Veneration - Honoring the Space That Surrounds Us Carla Benjamin, a long-time resident of rural Pillager Minnesota, brings the simple splendor of the Northwoods to life through her innovative use of encaustic painting. Her work is deeply influenced by the textures and tactile qualities of bark, lichens, stones, and leaves. Through her art, she explores themes of awareness, healing, growth, and renewal, inviting viewers to see the familiar natural world from a new perspective. In Studio K - Blayze Buseth: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Pottery In this exhibition, Fergus Falls artist and co-owner of Creation Shop Blayze Buseth explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the creative process of pottery. Viewing AI as a collaborator rather than a threat, Buseth uses AI to expand the boundaries of design exploration. His work demonstrates how AI can assist in generating new visual ideas while maintaining the essential role of the artist’s hand in the creation of each piece. Buseth’s artist statement states: “AI opens a vast playground for design exploration. With a few simple text prompts, I can unlock thousands of new design possibilities, each one slightly or dramatically different from the last. Every word acts as a key, unlocking variations in medium, form, and decoration. The vessel’s form—whether tall and elegant, short and sturdy, or curved and abstract—can be reshaped and reimagined in ways that would take far longer through traditional sketching or modeling.” Regional artists interested in exhibition possibilities at Kaddatz Galleries will have their opportunity to submit their artwork for consideration in the upcoming “Whimsy & Wonder” multi-artist exhibition taking place in January - March 2025. Kaddatz Galleries invites artists to submit artworks that embody the essence of joy through Whimsy and Wonder—capturing moments of boundless elation or the quiet contentment found in everyday life. This Call for Artists is currently open and accepting applications now through November 15th, 2024 at 11:59pm CST. For full details, visit: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org/whimsyandwonder.html
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The Kaddatz Galleries is thrilled to announce "Evolving Forms: New & Known Works by Public Sculptor Jon Kamrath," an engaging exhibition that runs from July 9 to August 17, 2024. This exhibit offers a unique opportunity to explore Jon Kamrath's creative journey through a diverse collection of his sculptures, both familiar and new. The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 5pm - 7pm with artist remarks scheduled for 6pm.
Jon Kamrath, a dedicated public sculptor, has spent the past decade installing 7-15 rotating sculptures each season throughout the Upper Midwest. His work ranges from large outdoor installations to smaller indoor sculptures, each piece encouraging viewers to explore and interact with the space around them. Based in Mahtomedi, MN, Kamrath creates from his home studio, where his process is deeply influenced by his surroundings and daily life. Sponsored by Design Intent Architects, P.A., the exhibition "Evolving Forms" showcases Kamrath's transition from large-scale public pieces to more intimate, accessible works. Historically, his work has required distinct materials and techniques for outdoor and indoor sculptures, resulting in two different styles. However, he is now focusing on scaling down his larger public pieces to create smaller works that can serve both as prototypes for larger concepts and as finished sculptures suitable for home or garden display, or along a public rotating sculpture trail. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the evolution of Kamrath's artistic approach, from initial concept sketches and maquettes to pedestal-sized prototypes and full-scale public sculptures. This shift in his creative process reflects a new direction in both form and scale, making his art more accessible to individual viewers. Also on view this July and August will be “Kaddatz Galleries’ Permanent Collection: Selected Works” exhibited in Studio K. This exhibition will feature a curated selection of both 2D and 3D artworks acquired by the Kaddatz Galleries from 2009 - present. Kaddatz Galleries welcomes visitors from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 12 pm - 5 pm, and extends its hours on Thursdays until 7 pm. There is never a charge to enter Kaddatz Galleries to see the exhibitions on view. To learn more about these exhibitions visit www.kaddatzgalleries.org; to learn more about Jon Kamrath's creative process, you can watch his TEDx talk "Imagination is a Muscle," or visit his social media pages @kamrathsculpture and his website www.kamrathsculpture.com. Fergus Falls, MN - May 9, 2024 - Kaddatz Galleries is thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibitions, "Artful Women & Friends: After the Classroom," and “NEXT GEN: Kaddatz Galleries’ First Annual Regional Student Exhibition.” Artful Women & Friends showcases the talents of a group of lifelong artists and retired K-12 Minnesota educators. Next Gen showcases artwork from students in their final years of studying art in higher education. The exhibitions will run from May 14 to June 22, 2024, with a joint opening reception on May 16th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
"Artful Women & Friends" celebrates the creative journeys of twelve life-long artists, united by their shared passion for art and education. The featured artists include members of "The Artfuls" - Roberta Farrell, Kathy Grundei, Stephanie Nowak, Karen Rossbach, Diane Scully, Pam Teorey, and the late Barb Yandt - along with their esteemed friends: Deb Aune, Judy Christofferson, Fern Keniston, JoAnne Reske Kirkman, and Crystal Thorson. About Artful Women & Friends: In 2002, the founding members of The Artfuls embarked on a journey of camaraderie and creativity during a summer retreat on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Bonded by their shared experiences as educators and artists, they formed a decades long connection rooted in mutual support and inspiration. Despite the challenges of time and distance, their friendship endures through weekly Zoom visits, keeping alive the spirit of creativity and community. The artists featured in "Artful Women & Friends" have been instrumental in advocating for arts education and leadership since the 1970s. Through their diverse leadership roles and collaborative efforts, they have helped shape the landscape of arts education in Minnesota, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. "Artful Women & Friends" offers a glimpse into the multifaceted artistic styles and creative journeys of these inspiring women. From vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, each artwork reflects the unique perspectives and experiences of its creator, inviting viewers to explore the rich tapestry of Minnesota's artistic heritage. About NEXT GEN: An exhibition spotlighting emerging talent from Fargo, ND, to St. Cloud. This show supports early career artists, providing a platform for these young artists to share their unique perspectives and creative visions with the community. From captivating paintings to interesting sculptures, NEXT GEN offers a diverse array of artistic expressions that reflect the passion and dedication of the next generation of artists. Don't miss the opportunity to experience "Artful Women & Friends: After the Classroom" at Kaddatz Galleries. Kaddatz Galleries, a vibrant nonprofit art space in downtown Fergus Falls, invites you to immerse yourself in three captivating exhibitions featuring the works of Laura Youngbird, Erika Frikken & Jess Torgerson, and Katy J. Olson. With their distinct voices and compelling narratives, these artists bring forth thought-provoking reflections on identity, environmental consciousness, and societal challenges.
On view in the Main Gallery - Laura Youngbird, a seasoned mixed media artist and former Director of Native American Art Programs at Plains Art Museum, invites viewers into the intricate layers of her world with "Inde’Wiisagendam (My Heart Hurts)." Through multilayered monotypes using the dress as a metaphor, Youngbird addresses social issues, injustices, and biases. Drawing inspiration from her personal journey and family history, Youngbird explores the powerful symbolism of the dress, weaving together threads of identity, assimilation, love, and illusion. On view in Studio K - Erika Frikken and Jess Torgerson collaborate in "For the Birds: A means to create, not waste," an installation born out of the Springboard for the Arts’ Guaranteed Minimum Income for Artists pilot. Using recycled materials and supported by guaranteed income, the installation ingeniously transforms discarded materials into a captivating installation, echoing themes of resourcefulness, community, and the potential for renewal. Frikken and Torgerson's creation serves as a tangible response to the need for income support in the artistic community, offering a visual exploration of sustainability, creativity, and the transformative power of guaranteed income. On view in the Community Room - Katy J. Olson's "The Weight of Woman" challenges perceptions of femininity, environmental stewardship, and the complexities of modern existence. Through mixed media pieces, Olson leverages the Lakes Area Plastic lab as a resource to create embellishments to adorn her plaster torso portraits. Each torso tells a unique story, exploring the intersectionality of environmental crisis, gender inequality, and the objectification of women. Olson's work serves as a call to action, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own connections to these pressing issues. All three exhibitions open Tuesday, March 19th and will be on view through April 27, 2024. A joint opening reception will take place on Thursday, March 21st from 5-7 pm with artist remarks scheduled to take place at 6 pm; this event is free and open to the public of all ages with light refreshments provided. The Kaddatz Galleries is pleased to announce they have been awarded an Arts Education grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) to support a newly launched fine arts education program for adults ages 16 and up.
Support from this MSAB grant enables Kaddatz Galleries to offer educational courses aimed to expand adult students’ skills, bolster confidence in their creative abilities, and foster community connections. This series will consist of six diverse courses varying in length from 4-8 weeks, with classes occurring on a weekly basis. Courses will include: Foundation Drawing 1 & 2, Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil Painting, and Mixed-Media Color Theory. All classes will be led by area artists established in each specific medium and will take place at Kaddatz Galleries in the ADA accessible classrooms located in the lower level of the historic Kaddatz Hotel Building (111 W. Lincoln Avenue). Registration for each course is offered at a sliding scale fee to allow individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds access to creative education, fostering inclusivity and equitable opportunity for artistic expression. To learn more about Kaddatz Galleries art classes or to register, please visit: www.kaddatzgalleries.org and click on the “Classes” tab. 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. 
Kaddatz’s new Art Reach program is an outreach program designed to enrich the lives of underserved populations within our community with vibrant arts experiences. Currently, programming serves a youth support group, The Matthew House (a transitional home for men) and Productive Alternatives (an organization serving adults with disabilities). Artwork created through each of these Kaddatz Art Reach programs is included in Art Reach: Exposed.
Relationships between participants, artists and Kaddatz staff have been fostered through recurring classes as well as private gallery tours and artist talks. Creating connections between participants and community members through the arts is at the heart of Art Reach programming. Not only has the program enriched the lives of the participants, it has deeply impacted the lives of the artists and staff involved as well. The exhibit, Art Reach: Exposed, aims to expose the broader community to the incredible individuals and organizations served through this program, raise awareness about the existence, impact and need for these organizations and services and foster connections between participants and community members. This programming was made possible thanks in part to funds from the Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund as established with West Central Initiative for the benefit of the Fergus Falls area & grant funding from the Frank W. Veden Charitable Trust. June 28, 2019 -- Minneapolis-based artist, basket maker and nurse Martha Bird. Alumni Hinge Artist, announces a joint exhibition of new and retrospective work at Kaddatz Galleries and Otter Tail County Historical Society in Fergus Falls, Minnesota from Wednesday, September 11 through Friday November 1, 2019!
The Northern Salon of the Society of Minnesota Sculptors is hosted this year by the Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls, MN. The exhibition runs from Wednesday, July 24 to Friday, September 6, with a closing reception that evening.
The 2019 Northern Salon is an effort to tap into the rich sculpture scene in the Northern half of the state, promote exposure to new artists, and celebrate quality work from all over the state. This show is a mix of local artists from Fergus Falls as well as many pieces brought up from the Twin Cities metro area, or down from several cities further north. “In 1943, the Minnesota Sculptors Group (as it was originally called) was organized to stimulate public interest in creative sculpture. Since its formation, the Group has grown under the leadership of many prominent Minnesota artists and educators. For generations, indigenous voices have been stifled. One artist residency is working to change that.
| Ms. Red Star, an Apsaalooke (Crow) artist who has done the residency twice, said the institute dismantles the “othering” of Native art. “They have the right mission of really promoting Native artists as contemporary artists and not as this silo.” https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/arts/crows-shadow-institute-native-american-art.html?fbclid=IwAR13H0AlzkFXRY-YYCNkB4-Gtf4qOBAuCuXO9MIs7pTU1q2_EnF63xsMz6g The Kaddatz Galleries is located in Fergus Falls, a town of just under 14,000 people in rural MN. Fergus Falls has seen first-hand that the arts are a huge economic player, despite popular narratives to the contrary.
From The National Governors Association (NGA), the collective voice of the nation's governors, on Medium.com: https://medium.com/nga-economic-opportunity/a-proven-economic-catalyst-for-rural-america-the-creative-sector-94135e9bfa15 |
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