Local art enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that the Kaddatz Galleries has unveiled the second exhibition of their year-long celebration, A Year of Beck.
The event, titled “C. Beck: Murals & Public Works”, showcases the rich visual legacy of renowned local artist Charles Beck, acclaimed painter and woodcut printmaker.
The exhibition will be on display in Studio K from April 13 to June 17, 2023.
The opening reception will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 5-7 PM, and the event is free for the public to attend, with refreshments provided.
This second exhibition in the Year of Beck series features Beck’s work in murals and public art, providing an insight into his contributions to public spaces throughout his career.
In many ways this exhibition showcases how Charles Beck created work for public use throughout his career.
With all the many works Beck had created, its difficult to choose what might be his pièce de résistance in regards to all the public works he had made throughout his career.
The Kaddatz Artistic Director Stacy Wendt shared her thoughts on the topic,
“It’s hard for me to choose, as I think it will depend on what each visitor finds most engaging. Personally, I think it’s interesting that the exhibition showcases projects many people aren’t aware that Charles Beck worked on (advertisements & sign painting), and all the things the public has never had a chance to see before – like all of the paintings and sketches for the murals which give a behind the scenes look into how he created those pieces, as well as some photos of murals that are located in private areas not open to the public.”
“Another highlight would be the large sketches for his mural that was located at the Thief River Falls Court House.”
“That mural was removed from the courthouse in December of 2022, and is currently undergoing conservation and will eventually be placed at the Otter Tail Historical Society.”
In the beginning of his profession, Beck was employed as a sign painter.
This display showcases a glimpse of his sign-painting artwork, accompanied by photographs of him creating the signs and murals.
The exhibit includes examples of sign-painting, advertisements, and photos of completed murals, some of which only exist in photographic form today.
Preliminary sketches and paintings accompany selected works, offering a glimpse into Beck’s creative process for these large-scale pieces.
Artistic Director, Stacy Wendt had this to say,
“Also included are advertisements he designed for local businesses, sketches and work from his glass painting at Bethlehem church, and preparatory work he did for the creation of murals for Thief River Falls Court House, Wadena Elementary School, Otter Tail Power, and other locations; and photo documentation of these murals.”
C. Beck: Murals & Public Works also showcases sketches and other preparatory work for the advertisements and sign painting that Beck completed in and around Fergus Falls early in his career.
Stacy Wendt continued,
“Selected works are accompanied by their preliminary sketches and paintings, giving insight into how these often-large-scale pieces were conceived, planned and created by Beck.”
“Pieces in this exhibit have been drawn from the Beck family and close friends’ personal collections.”
The Kaddatz Galleries is a not-for-profit organization in downtown Fergus Falls, Minnesota, dedicated to fostering visual arts education and appreciation. Its main gallery and secondary gallery, Studio K, present focused exhibitions and rotating selections of work by regional artists.
The Kaddatz regularly offers visual arts workshops and other educational opportunities to make art experiences accessible to diverse audiences and participants.
A Year of Beck is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, with support from the Frank W. Veden Charitable Trust and the Dell Trust.
For a complete list of A Year of Beck exhibitions and events, visit the Kaddatz Galleries website at kaddatzgalleries.org.