(Kaddatz Galleries)
Fergus Falls, MN – Starting next week, two new exhibitions will be opening in Kaddatz Galleries for the summer: the inaugural Beck Biennial Invitational in the Charles Beck Gallery and 40 Acres for 40 Years, a solo exhibition by Mary Guttormson Erickson in Studio K. Both exhibitions will be on view July 7–August 15, 2026, with a public opening reception on Thursday, July 16, from 5–7 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The inaugural Beck Biennial Invitational honors the artistic legacy of renowned Fergus Falls artist Charles Beck while celebrating the creative voices of local and regional artists. Inspired by Beck’s enduring connection to the region, the artists featured in this exhibition explore themes of landscape, community, belonging, and personal history through a wide range of mediums.
The exhibition was selected by guest juror Amy Sharpe, a writer, fiber artist, and founder of Ripple River Gallery near Bay Lake, Minnesota. Sharpe worked closely with Beck to document his life and artistic practice and is the author of Charles Beck: The Nature of an Artist (2017). Her deep understanding of Beck’s work and legacy brings a unique perspective to the inaugural exhibition.
Also on view this summer, Studio K will feature 40 Acres for 40 Years, a solo exhibition by artist Mary Guttormson Erickson. Drawing inspiration from four decades spent on a Finnish farmstead and the restorative landscapes of Minnesota’s woodlands and lakes, Erickson’s exhibition is a celebration of observation, gratitude, and belonging.
Reflecting on the role of arts spaces in communities, Erickson writes, “Galleries are the spaces that grow creativity, imagination, and joy. They heal sorrow and loss. Galleries provide space for learning empathy. They feature the wisdom of elder artists and present the dreams of young artists.”
Kaddatz Galleries Artistic Director Stacy Wendt says that together, these two exhibitions celebrate the powerful connections between place, memory, creativity, and community – values that have long been at the heart of Kaddatz Galleries.
Story courtesy of Kaddatz Galleries
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