‘The Heart of the Prairie’ art exhibit now open at Beck Gallery

M State’s Charles Beck Gallery presents “The Heart of the Prairie: Four Muses, Four Stories,” a new art exhibit celebrating the beauty, spirit and stories of Minnesota’s prairie landscape. The exhibit opens today, Thursday, November 6, and continues through January 9. It is free and open to the public during regular Fergus Falls campus hours. 

“The Heart of the Prairie: Four Muses, Four Stories” features the work of artists Della Conroy, Deb Connolly, Kerry Kolke Bonk and Phyllis Joos. From colorful landscapes and florals to textured prints and expressive still life, the collective works of these four rural Minnesota artists capture the beauty, rhythm and spirit of the land.

“This exhibit is a celebration of the prairie’s enduring influence on our artists and our community,” says Lori Charest, ceramics faculty and art collection curator at M State. “Each artist brings a unique perspective, inviting us to see the land – and ourselves – through new eyes. Their stories and creativity remind us of the richness and diversity that thrive here in west central Minnesota.”

More about the artists:

• Della Conroy works in watercolor, acrylic, pastel and oil to create landscape, floral and abstract paintings. Her art is inspired by the natural beauty of west central Minnesota, capturing soft, colorful scenes. Represented in several regional galleries, her work reflects her lifelong connection to Stevens County.
• Deb Connolly finds inspiration in the rural landscape and everyday objects surrounding her home studio in Danvers. Her expressive watercolors and pastels are known for their fresh use of color and texture, and she infuses a sense of fun into her work, inviting viewers to share in her joy of creation.
• Kerry Kolke Bonk paints realistic and nature-inspired works such as florals, landscapes and birds. With a passion for watercolor, eco-printing, acrylics and encaustics, her art is shaped by personal stories and an appreciation for the natural world. She is a signature member of the Red River Watercolor Society.
• Phyllis Joos is a printmaker whose colorful, textured prints explore life cycles, ceremonies and rituals. Her work is rooted in her rural west central Minnesota upbringing, blending intricate patterns and the interplay between human life and nature. Joos considers herself a storyteller, inviting viewers to join her on a visual journey of discovery and exploration.

A reception with the artists will be held Thursday, November 13, from 2-4 p.m. in Legacy Hall, with the artists speaking at 2:30 p.m.

For more information about Fine Arts at M State, visit https://minnesota.edu/fine-arts.