ArtREACH Teachers & Students Exhibition May 13 - June 21, 2025

Kaddatz Galleries announces the ArtREACH: Teachers & Students Exhibition, running from May 13 through June 21, 2025. The community is invited to attend the free opening reception on Thursday, May 15th from 5-7pm, featuring light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the teaching artists. 

Founded by Amanda Callahan, ArtREACH is a program that provides professional artist-led classes to underserved populations in Fergus Falls at zero cost to participants. The exhibition showcases creative works from individuals at The Matthew House, Barbara's House, Productive Alternatives, A Place to Belong, Salvation Army After School Program, Fergus Falls Area Learning Center and Kennedy Secondary School REACH students.

The exhibition features works created under the guidance of teaching artists Michael Weatherly (printmaker) and Naomi RaMona Schliesman (interdisciplinary), Amanda Callahan (interdisciplinary), Jona Brown (painter), and Blayze Buseth of Creation Shop (ceramicist). Each artist facilitates programming specifically tailored to their student groups, resulting in a diverse collection that demonstrates the program's impact.

Coinciding with the exhibition, Kaddatz Galleries will host its 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser: "Fly Me To the Moon" on Saturday, June 7th. This special evening will raise critical funds for Kaddatz Galleries' Arts Education programming, including the ArtREACH initiative. Tickets are $75 per person, with only 100 tickets available. Purchases can be made online at https://givebutter.com/KG2025Gala or in person at the gallery.

Through ArtREACH, participants have discovered new coping mechanisms and creative outlets to overcome adversity, with some finding economic opportunities through newly acquired artistic skills. The exhibition invites visitors to experience these works as expressions of personal journeys, resilience, and growth—illuminating how creative expression enhances quality of life and builds a more inclusive community.

The ArtREACH program and exhibition are made possible by grants from Lake Region Arts Council through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, as well as support from the West Central Initiative's Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund and the Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund.