Kaddatz Galleries Opens Two New Exhibitions and a ‘Whimsical and Wonderful’ Opportunity for Regional Artists

 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