The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce their exhibit — Nature’s Offerings: An Art Exhibit Featuring Works by Debbie Dahl Aune and Other NW Minnesota Artists. The exhibit is open from May 25 to August 1 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Nature’s Offerings is a broad concept. Everything we need as human beings has been provided by Nature — food, water, shelter, medicine, and every material object we have ever created or will ever create as human beings. Nature delivers natural cycles of the year, warmth and coolness, fire and water, oceans and rivers, and the air we breathe. Besides all the tangible offerings, Nature also provides intangible qualities of healing, rejuvenation, and inspiration. When we spend time by a river, take a walk in the snow, look at a sunset, and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, we receive healing. Nature helps lower blood pressure, calm our anxious minds, cause us to stare in wonder and awe, and brings connection and consolation when we feel alone and distant.
According to featured Artist Debbie Dahl Aune, “My daily dose of nature consists of a good, long walk. If you ask me, getting outside coupled with a walk is the very best medicine for aches, a sour mood, general well-being, and health. There is one even more exhilarating activity besides walking that takes us outdoors; painting en plein air. En plein air, a French phrase that means “in the open air,” describes the process of painting outdoors. No exercise or procedure will loosen up the brushstroke more than painting in the present, at the moment, and on-site. Knowing the light is going to change, those shapes, values, and colors better get laid down quick! No time for fussy, unnecessary details. Warm sunshine, exquisite bird songs, and flowers make the experience that much more divine. Periodically, a mischievous gust of wind will topple my easel, but that just comes with the territory.
Aune went on to explain that her pieces in this exhibit “consist mostly of watercolor paintings about berry picking in the Beltrami Forest with family and friends. Several paintings were initiated on-site and then finished in my studio. My uncle Melvin Hesse, Aunt Peggy, and friend Betty Amiot are the senior members of our berry picking family. My Mom, Dad, and Uncle Raymond aren’t far behind when there’s talk of a blueberry picnic. Several other family members can be found sprinkled about my blueberry compositions. Bring on the bug spray, hats, and pickles. And dear Lord, I hope there are blueberries this year!”
Aune lives in Gatzke and teaches art at Greenbush-Middle River Public School. She has exhibited her artwork in many exhibits in our region, including several solo shows. She has received numerous awards for her artwork at NW Minnesota Arts Council Exhibits. She has also been awarded many grants for her art, as well.
A workshop for the public was held to help create pieces for the exhibit. Participant Betsy Saurdiff said, “It was very refreshing to play with provided materials and see where the work took me. I enjoyed the sense of discovery and creative energy.”
Trey Everett shared, “I loved watching participants in the workshop create using objects found in nature. From rocks to branches. leaves to roots, antlers to leather, clay to shells… some fun and powerful pieces of artwork emerged.”
Artists in addition to Aune include CL Nelson of Hallock, Mara Hanel of Warren, Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla, Sherri Kukowski of Badger, Mary Ann Laxen of East Grand Forks, Cindy Kolling of Gully, Kristin Eggerling of Hallock, Ross Hier of Crookston, and Badger students Noah G, Kaitlyn Gust, Cale Lindland, and Peyton Lee.
You won’t want to miss this exhibit! There will also be a free Artist Reception with Debbie and others on Wednesday, June 22, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the gallery. Refreshments will be served. Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick it up when the exhibit ends.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door A. Visitor parking is free.
There is also an online discussion with Debbie Dahl Aune on Tuesday, June 21, at 4:00 p.m. You can watch this Artist Spotlight on Facebook Live or YouTube Live. Visit the NWMAC Facebook page or YouTube page for more information. The Artist Spotlight will also be available to view at any time after the live broadcast. Reach out to us with questions.
For more information about the exhibits, you can go to www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. This exhibit is made possible with funding from The McKnight Foundation.
