Art Be At Minnesota’s tiniest art gallery welcomes new artist members

What might be the tiniest art gallery in Minnesota, Studio 176 in downtown Park Rapids, has been wowing visitors since opening in 2019 with its large selection of art exhibited salon-style.

It showcases a wide variety of mediums, from original, oil, acrylic, mixed media and fine art photography to stained glass, fine art prints, cards and gifts.

“We have come a long way in three years and want to become a fixture in Park

Rapids, and the Heartland art scene. We’re always changing it up, thinking outside the box, trying our best to keep it fresh and exciting,” co-owner Jeremy Simonson said.

In past seasons the gallery featured a monthly guest artist, May through August, exhibited alongside the works of co-owners Simonson, Dawn Rossbach, Laura Grisamore, and in 2019-2020, with co-founder Tiffany Besonen and artist members Elisa

Jean in 2021 and Kent Estey in 2022.

The owners report they will be adding three artist members to the gallery for the 2023 season; names will be announced in early March.

“We wanted to respond to the need of artists looking for space to exhibit and sell their work, so this year instead of monthly exhibits through the summer, we decided to add more artist members to the gallery. This provides a longer timeframe for

Check out more than books at the library

The Park Rapids Area Library has become a hub for arts and culture activities. Book some time to check out what’s happening.

Noon Thursday, March 2 –

Hotdish Mystery Mayhem with author Jeanne Cooney

We are wrapping up February’s Hotdish Mystery Mayhem activities with a hotdish sampler, fun games and a special visit from always entertaining Jeanne Cooney, author of the Hot Dish Heaven series. Space is limited; please RSVP by calling 218-732-4966.

6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7

– Mary Schwartz: ‘Finding Your Female Ancestors’

Join Mary to learn about researching your family tree. She will lead you through where to start your search, how to organize your family history research and introduce you to ancestry.com and Family Search websites. Mary has tips and tricks for finding the answers on your family’s female lineage. Participation is limited, please register ahead.

11 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 11 – 2nd Saturday

STEM with Mary Schwartz

We’re celebrating Pi Day a couple days early and in style by weaving in the round! Weave a circle that can be used as a coaster or a table top decoration. All materials will be supplied and all ages are welcome. For participants ages 8 and younger, please have an accompanying adult or older sibling to help. Join Mary Saturday, April 8 and May 13 for even more science fun!

10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16 – Craft Supply Swap

The Park Rapids Area Library is having a free craft supply swap. We will be collecting donated craft supplies at the library March 13-15.

Bring in yarn, paint, brushes, fabric, floral, buttons, knitting needles, crochet hooks, markers, ink, stamps, scrapbooking supplies, jewelry supplies and sewing notions. If you can create with it and it’s in usable condition, it will be welcome. If you donate items, you will receive an early bird ticket to the morning session “ticketed event.” The afternoon session is open to everyone.

5-6 p.m. Monday, March 20 – Photographer Lowell Wolff “Reflections of Northern Minnesota”

On display inside the library now! Come listen to Lowell speak about his inspiration, his craft and his love of the boreal forest biome of northern Minnesota. This is a great opportunity for photographers of all skill levels to talk to the artist.

Lowell was raised on the prairies of south-central North Dakota and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, majoring in music.

“While the north shore of Lake Superior has many beautiful spots, so does Park Rapids,” he says. “Nearly half of the images in the collection are based in the Park Rapids, Dorset and Nevis areas. It seems only fitting that 19 of these images ‘come home’ to the beautiful place we live in.”

For a fuller appreciation of his talk, make sure to visit the library to see these beautiful works in person.

7 p.m. Thursday, March 30

– Kevin Kling at the Armory Arts & Events Center

Humorist, playwright and author, Kevin Kling is hailed as a Minnesota state treasure. His writing weaves his sense of humor and unique per- spective together with the life challenges he has surmounted. Best known for his commentaries on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and occasional appearances on Minnesota Public Television’s “Almanac,” he has performed his inspiring stories and plays in libraries, school gymnasiums, The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, regional theaters and storytelling festivals around the U.S.

Spend time with Kevin at this free event as he shares new stories and reads from his very popular books, “The Dog Says How,” “Holiday Inn,” “Big Little Brother” and “Big Little Mother.” This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

6 p.m. Thursday, April 13

– Terri Smith author talk, ‘CODE 4: True stories from a 37-year police veteran’ Terri has been an organized crime investigator, a narcotics supervisor, a SWAT team member and a homicide investigator. In 1986 Smith was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Bemidji Regional Office. He supervised all of the agency’s work in northern Minnesota, including approximately 450 death investigations. He’s an accomplished public speaker and enjoys sharing stories about his days “on the job.”

10 a.m. Saturday, April 15

– Ron Jensen: Bluebirds in our Backyard Ron Jensen, Hubbard County Coordinator for the Bluebird Recovery Program, will be here to discuss ways to attract and increase bluebird numbers in our area. He will share his knowledge of the special requirements including the best bluebird house designs, how to pick a site for a new house for optimal results, plus cover issues like predators and disease. Be ready to welcome bluebirds into your backyard this spring and summer! artists to showcase and sell their work, giving our community and visitors the opportunity to get to know the artists and their work better,” Grisamore said.

Studio 176 is an artist-run gallery, where visitors are able to meet and talk to the artists about their work and creative processes.

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HCLL gears up for spring season

Does winter have you feeling down? Got a bit of cabin fever? Well, relief is on the way.

The Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL) will open its spring series Feb. 28 with author and forensic psychologist Frank Weber speaking about some of the newest forensic tools used by law enforcement. It’s rumored he might even administer a lie detector test to an audience member.

Hear first-person accounts of American soldiers, including Minnesotans, who came across and liberated Nazi death camps at a program May 9 at the Armory Arts & Events Center.

6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 –Arn Kind: ‘Liberators & The Holocaust’ at the Armory Arts & Events Center

Arn Kind will relate the tragic story of how the Holocaust was perpetrated by the Nazi Party and how a nation of cultured people with a proud heritage were persuaded to allow and even carry out the worst genocide in the history of the world. Most importantly, he will share first-person accounts of American soldiers, including Minnesotans who came across and liberated these camps. For many, this experience changed their lives forever. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

3-6 p.m. Monday, May 15 – Spring Plant Swap Bring your seeds, starts, divisions and plants for a fun twist on Trunk or Treat. We will meet in the parking lot and share with other gardening enthusiasts. This is a no-cost event.

On March 7, Andy Wells, CEO of Wells Technology, will speak about a job-training program his company has developed that becomes a bridge for helping unemployed people in Red Lake become part of a productive workforce in their community.

March 14, Polly Scotland returns to HCLL to recall a 14-day trek through the Annapurna Loop of Nepal and how it helped her gain an appreciation of the Nepalese culture and traditions.

On March 21, photographer, musician and self-proclaimed Northern Lights addict, Debbie Center, will share her photography and paintings and offer tips on photographing the Aurora yourself.

March 28, Randy Stocker, author of Hugs Help, who lost three family members in a car crash, presents an intimate perspective on surviving grief, while providing practical and proven words, actions and gestures for supporters of people experiencing grief.

Brita Sailer joins us April 4 with an upbeat, practical approach to the why, what and how of recycling, with a specific look at Hubbard County.

On April 11, HCLL diverts from its in-person programming to show a PBS documentary on “Magic of the Snowy Owl,” with footage of the unique creatures as they breed and attempt to raise their young in the harsh Arctic environment.

The series will end April 18 with local author Jerry Mevissen describing a community-wide effort in Sebeka to restore a century-old schoolhouse to new life. The audience will see a Lakeland TV production shown on Common Ground that will chronicle the restoration, supplemented by Jerry’s own involvement in the project.

Programs are held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Armory Arts and Events Center, 203 Park Ave. S. (U.S. Hwy. 71). The facility is handicap-accessible and there is no admission charge.

A general rule, in the event of inclement weather, if the Park Rapids schools are closed, the HCLL program will be postponed and, if possible, scheduled for a later date. Questions? Contact HCLL Chair Marty Leistikow at martyleistikow@gmail.com.