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Charles Beck
Woodcuts and Watercolors January 20 - February 28, 2026 | Studio K Gallery |
Exhibition Details
This exhibition presents a selection of works by renowned artist Charles Beck, featuring woodcut prints, a medium for which he is widely known, alongside a group of intimate watercolor paintings. Also included is Green Tree, an acrylic painting created between 2015 and 2017 during Beck’s residency at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Together, these works offer a glimpse into Beck’s diverse practice and enduring artistic vision.
Artist Bio: Charles Beck
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
(1923 – 2017)
Charles Beck was born in Fergus Falls in 1923. He began drawing in grade school where he would trade his work for candy and marbles. In the 1940’s Beck attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he studied art under Cyrus Running. While at Concordia Sports Director Jake Christiansen convinced him to play football, which was another important aspect of his college career. Beck credits Running and the Christiansen brothers (Jake and Paul) at Concordia as being great influences in his life. Beck graduated from Concordia in 1948 after taking time off to serve as a pilot in the Naval Air Force. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1950, and then returned to Fergus Falls where he worked as a sign painter.
In 1953 Beck enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he studied under Cameron Booth, Walter Quirt, and Malcolm Myers. It was at the University where Beck was first introduced to woodblock prints, and he completed his first print, The Holy Family. Beck joined the faculty at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 1960 where he taught for 27 years. Concordia granted Beck an Honorary Doctorate in 1980, and in 2006 the College honored Beck by naming the new gallery after him.
Charles Beck was influenced by the landscape of Otter Tail County and made it the predominant subject matter of his artwork, choosing to create an interpretation of his own experiences and vision rather than exact representations within his work. Charles Beck continued to create art until his death in September of 2017 at the age of 94. Beck remains one of the most recognizable artists in Minnesota.
(1923 – 2017)
Charles Beck was born in Fergus Falls in 1923. He began drawing in grade school where he would trade his work for candy and marbles. In the 1940’s Beck attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he studied art under Cyrus Running. While at Concordia Sports Director Jake Christiansen convinced him to play football, which was another important aspect of his college career. Beck credits Running and the Christiansen brothers (Jake and Paul) at Concordia as being great influences in his life. Beck graduated from Concordia in 1948 after taking time off to serve as a pilot in the Naval Air Force. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1950, and then returned to Fergus Falls where he worked as a sign painter.
In 1953 Beck enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he studied under Cameron Booth, Walter Quirt, and Malcolm Myers. It was at the University where Beck was first introduced to woodblock prints, and he completed his first print, The Holy Family. Beck joined the faculty at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 1960 where he taught for 27 years. Concordia granted Beck an Honorary Doctorate in 1980, and in 2006 the College honored Beck by naming the new gallery after him.
Charles Beck was influenced by the landscape of Otter Tail County and made it the predominant subject matter of his artwork, choosing to create an interpretation of his own experiences and vision rather than exact representations within his work. Charles Beck continued to create art until his death in September of 2017 at the age of 94. Beck remains one of the most recognizable artists in Minnesota.
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FLOURISH
The Third Annual Group Exhibition January 20 - February 28, 2026 | Charles Beck Gallery |
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Statement: Flourish is Kaddatz Galleries’ third annual open call exhibition, celebrating resilience, growth, and the sustaining power of hope. Like plants that bloom after enduring changing seasons, the works in this exhibition reflect the beauty of adapting, healing, and thriving amid transformation. Together, the artists explore what it means to embrace new circumstances and find strength, joy, and possibility in moments of change.
Featuring work across a wide range of media, Flourish brings together artwork by 28 regional artists who respond to themes of renewal, optimism, and inner strength. Throughout the exhibition, ideas of transformation, connection, and restoration emerge, illuminating the many ways art can foster reflection and inspire a hopeful outlook toward the future.
The artists included in Flourish live in or have strong ties to West Central Minnesota’s nine-county region, highlighting the depth, diversity, and creative vitality of our regional arts community.
Featuring work across a wide range of media, Flourish brings together artwork by 28 regional artists who respond to themes of renewal, optimism, and inner strength. Throughout the exhibition, ideas of transformation, connection, and restoration emerge, illuminating the many ways art can foster reflection and inspire a hopeful outlook toward the future.
The artists included in Flourish live in or have strong ties to West Central Minnesota’s nine-county region, highlighting the depth, diversity, and creative vitality of our regional arts community.
Exhibition Details
On View In Our Charles Beck Gallery
September 2 - October 18, 2025
Opening Reception
5-7PM Thursday, September 18, 2025
About the Artist:
Charles “Chuck” Allen Christianson was born in 1958 in Fergus Falls Minnesota. As a child he could often be found drawing or making objects out of wood scraps. He sometimes sold these creations to his grandmother for a quarter. After graduating from high school he continued his education at what was then called Fergus Falls Community College. It was there he begin studying with Charles Beck who would become a major influence on him.
He continued his studies with John Stuart Ingle, Lois Hodgel, Fred Peterson, and others at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where he earned his B.S. with a double major in Art History and Studio Art in 1981. After graduating he set up a painting studio and also began working construction. There he learned how to tape drywall, becoming proficient in using taping knives, knock down trowels, and darbys. In 1982 he began using these non-traditional tools to create abstract paintings. Around this time he also began making his own paint: oil, egg tempera, casein, acrylic, and glue size.
His art has explored both representational and abstract work. He is very interested in process.
September 2 - October 18, 2025
Opening Reception
5-7PM Thursday, September 18, 2025
About the Artist:
Charles “Chuck” Allen Christianson was born in 1958 in Fergus Falls Minnesota. As a child he could often be found drawing or making objects out of wood scraps. He sometimes sold these creations to his grandmother for a quarter. After graduating from high school he continued his education at what was then called Fergus Falls Community College. It was there he begin studying with Charles Beck who would become a major influence on him.
He continued his studies with John Stuart Ingle, Lois Hodgel, Fred Peterson, and others at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where he earned his B.S. with a double major in Art History and Studio Art in 1981. After graduating he set up a painting studio and also began working construction. There he learned how to tape drywall, becoming proficient in using taping knives, knock down trowels, and darbys. In 1982 he began using these non-traditional tools to create abstract paintings. Around this time he also began making his own paint: oil, egg tempera, casein, acrylic, and glue size.
His art has explored both representational and abstract work. He is very interested in process.
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Artreach teachers & students
May 13 - June 21, 2025 | Main Gallery
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charvis harrell
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Kate Swenson
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Whimsy & Wonder
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Emergent forms:
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kaddatz galleries' permanent collection: selected worksJuly 9 - August 17, 2024, Studio K
Exhibition Sponsored by: Design Intent Architects, P.A. |
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Evolving forms: new & known works by public sculptor jon kamrath |
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C. Beck: Rarities & MasterworksOctober 12 - December 23, 2023, Studio K
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C. Beck: MUrals & Public WorksMay 4 - June 17, 2023, Studio K
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C. Beck: BEGINNINGSJanuary 12 - April 1, Studio K
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PETE DRIESSEN: MIGRATORY WING/PRAIRIE WILDFLOWER BEDMarch 14 - 2, 2023, Community Room
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KIMBERLY KENYON: FROM THE MEADOWOctober 13 - December 23, 2022, Studio K
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W. SCOTT OLSEN: A MEMORY OF STEELAugust 11 – October 1, 2022, Studio K
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Syrian RefugePhotography by David Waage
June 9 – July 30, 2022, Main Gallery |
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NAM: Now a MemoryArtwork by Jim Fletcher
March 24 – May 28, 2022, Main Gallery |
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Textures of RemembranceVietnamese Artists and Writers Reflect on the Vietnamese Diaspora
January 22 – March 12, 2022 |
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KADDATZ RESIDENT ARTISTSNovember 26, 2021 – January 6, 2022, Main Gallery
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2021 LRAC ARTIST COHORTNovember 26, 2021 – January 6, 2022, Studio K
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LISA BERGH: DEAR DIARYOctober 6 - November 18, 2021, Main Gallery
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STEVE GUTTORMSON: ALL THAT CHROMEOctober 5 - November 18, 2021, Studio K
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JON KAMRATH: STRUCTURES & IMAGININGSAugust 11 - September 30, 2021, Main Gallery
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DIane SCully: Borders & BoundariesAugust 11 - September 30, 2021, Studio K
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KIMBLE BROMLEY: POND PAINTINGSJuly 2021
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JODI REEB: EARTH + SKYMay 6 - July 31, 2021, Main Gallery
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KERRI SANDVE: The LONG MEANWHILEMay 6 - July 31, 2021, Studio K
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MICHAEL WEATHERLY: BEHIND THE DOORMarch 13 - May 1, 2021, Main Gallery
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KIM EMBRETSON: OTTER TAIL RIVER PROJECTMarch 13 - May 1, 2021, Studio K
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JON OFFUTT: Capturing the prairie in glassNovember 4 - December 31, 2020, Main Gallery
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CHANDRA KRAFT: LAKE CARLOS STATE PARK: SUMMER OF 2020November 4 - December 31. 2020, Studio K
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Charles (Chuck) Christianson: SMALL PAINTINGSSeptember 15 - October 31, 2020, Main Gallery
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TERRY l WILLIAMS: THE Evolution of artistSeptember 17 - October 31, 2020, Studio K
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JIM Fletcher: ReactionsAugust 2020, Main Gallery
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PATRICIA ANN WAHL: the good flowers clubAugust 2020, Studio K
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Blayze buseth: Tom's AdventureJuly 2020, Main Gallery
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Carmen McCullough: mixed Media MedleyJuly 2020, Studio K
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QUILT NOT QUILT: THE AFTERLIFEFebruary 18 - March 20, 2020, Main Gallery
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Pieper Fleck Bloomquist
January - February, 2020, Main Gallery
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BLACK ARTS TAROT: MAJOR ARCANA
October 2019