Northern Light illustrates the affection both artists and viewers of art hold for our northern landscape. From the woods and lakes of the Boundary Waters, to the rolling hills and waterways flowing into the Mississippi from the Driftless Region, the big skies and prairies along the North and South Dakota border, and the patterned farmlands across the center of the country, artists find an endless source of inspiration here.

The Plein Air SmackDown returns for its 9th year. On Saturday, August 10th, 25 gallery and guest artists will be painting “en plein air” at Coldwater Spring, a section of the National Park located south of Minnehaha Falls. During the event visitors will have access to the park including the restored prairie and wetland, the trails, and the ruins of the springhouse.

My Mighty Journey is the story of St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River, and the changes it witnessed over twelve thousand years. Written by John Coy and illustrated by Gaylord Schanilec, the narrative is written from the perspective of the falls. It recounts the people who lived nearby, the ways they lived, and how the area around the waterfall changed drastically over the past two centuries. Selected illustrations from My Mighty Journey will be on exhibit as well selections from Schanilec’s two most recent artist’s books: A Little Book of Birds and A Little Book of Flowers.