Artful News February 2026

In this Issue

2026 Adult Art Classes Aplenty
2026 Youth and Senior Art Classes Planned
Volunteers: The Heart of Our Art (Welcoming Peggy Olson)
MSHSL Regional Art Exhibit Coming to Our Gallery
Studio Tour 2026 Registration Now Open
Renew Your Membership Now
Featured Artist Opportunity
​Members in The News

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2026 Adult Art Classes Aplenty

Michael Holter, workshop in June

Wow, what a line-up! Adult education chair Shari Prigge has been focusing this winter on developing a rich tapestry of artful classes for 2026. Our Creative Arts Community offerings are now mostly planned and in place throughout the year, so you can optimize your time, money and interests as you look ahead to learn, grow and create.

Dozens of classes are scheduled in fiber arts, cooking, painting, literary arts, clay, drawing, sculpture and beyond, with a few more classes yet to come. 

"We have some wonderful new teachers this year, along with some very popular returning instructors," noted Shari. 

Of special note, award-winning artist Michael Holter is confirmed to teach a 3-day workshop, "Impressionist Landscapes with Watercolor," on June 9, 10, & 11, at Glendalough State Park.  This class will be posted on our website in the next couple of weeks.

Please visit our Classes page for details and updates on all our adult class offerings. Get creative this year!

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2026 Youth & Senior Art Classes

Art of the Lakes is putting the finishing touches on art classes for children and seniors for the spring and summer seasons. 

A spring art program for senior citizens will be conducted at Lakeview Senior Living from March through May, using engaging, age-appropriate experiences that inspire creativity and connection.

A summer art program for children is planned for July. We'll be teaching fun, creative classes for kids in grades K-1, 2-3 and 4-5 at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake.

Art Teachers Wanted
We're looking for art teachers (paid) to help us with these programs. Teaching experience is helpful but not required. Please email Sue Kalseim to express your interest and for more information.

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January Creative Arts Community Classes in Pictures
Photos by Dan Thimgan and Kathy Olesen

Let's Make Pasta!

Winter Cardinal Woodcarving

Writing for Artists

Finger-Knitting a Heart Pillow

Winter Cardinal Woodcarving

Winter Cardinal Woodcarving

Writing for Artists

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Volunteers: The Heart of Our Art (Welcoming Peggy Olson)

Volunteer Opportunities

• Greeter for the Regional High School Art Exhibit at the gallery 10-3 Saturdays & 12-4 Sundays in March
• Gallery sitting
• Workshop Assistants
• Events – Purse Bingo, Plein Air, Studio Tour, Phelps Mill Festival, Art & Craft Affair
• Committees – Fundraising, Gallery, Education, Exhibition, Community Engagement

Contact [email protected]

Marketing Volunteer Opportunities
(training provided)

• Canva graphics designer (simple)
• Facebook social media poster

Contact Tom Kuder [email protected]

At Art of the Lakes, our walls are filled with art, but our foundation is built by people. From the friendly faces at our gallery counter to the hands that help hang every exhibit, we are—and always have been—an organization powered by volunteers.

That's why we're so thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team and steward of our community spirit: Peggy Olson, our new Volunteer Coordinator!

Every workshop, opening night, and community outreach program we host is a testament to the "all-hands-in" philosophy that defines us. Whether you can give two hours a month or ten hours a week, you are the reason we can keep our doors open and our programs accessible.

With Peggy at the helm of our volunteer base, we're excited to get people connected!

Get to know Peggy
"As Volunteer Coordinator, my focus will be getting to know the members and finding ways to use our time and talents in the gallery and community. I look forward to talking with all of you.

"Art has been a life-long passion of mine. I’m inspired by nature, people, music and lake life. In 2010 the lake life dream came true. Property on Silver Lake (third) became available and time was spent every weekend developing it into a family gathering place. In 2021, my husband Patrick and I moved from Minneapolis and became full time lake residents. 

"Tragically, in 2024 Patrick passed away suddenly. We had 38 years together, full of family life and simple pleasures, as well as grand adventures traveling to different parts of the world. I miss him everyday.

"Life at the cabin includes my 95-year-old parents, for whom I cook and drive to different places. Visiting often are my 2 daughters and families from the metro area. I'm the proud Nana of 5 grandsons who are the sunshine of my life! Being a grandparent is seriously the best! I have one sister and brother-in-law in Fergus Falls. They relocated to be closer to our parents and are a big help.

"Although I don’t display art at the gallery, I’m creating art at home. Taking virtual art therapy classes through Gilda’s Club (I’m also a breast cancer survivor), has been great way to work through my grief process and give peace to my soul. I work in mostly water media, I love the flow and unexpected outcomes. I also like Gelli plate printing, collage art, sewing, recycling, and making something out of nothing.

"Again, I look forward to talking and getting to know you. I'm open to suggestions and hopeful for a terrific year!"

Welcome and thank you, Peggy!

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MSHSL Regional Art Exhibit Coming to our Gallery

The 2026 Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Regional Art Competition will feature an exhibition this March in the Art of the Lakes Gallery. Between 90 and 100 qualifying high school students from nine area schools will showcase their work in a variety of art categories.

The exhibition will be open to the public Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Sundays from noon to 4pm from March 1 through March 22. On Friday March 27, participating students will spend the day in Battle Lake for a full day of classes and demonstrations, capped by an awards ceremony and closing reception at the gallery.

Volunteers are needed as greeters during the public reception hours and the closing reception. Please contact Kristi Kuder [email protected] for more information.

The Gallery will close in February as we prepare for this exhibit.

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2026 Studio Tour Registration Now Open

Tour registration

Artist registration for the 2026 Studio Tour is now open. This will be our 26th year of the Tour, and once again we plan to build on our experience of past years and make it even better!

Artists must be members of Art of the Lakes to participate, so if you haven't yet renewed or become a member, please do so right away.

If you need a studio in which to exhibit, we'll find you one. If you have extra space to share, we'll help you find artists to exhibit with you.

The deadline to register is March 15, so please make this a priority. Thank you!

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Renew Your Membership Now! 

renew/join

Membership renewals are now due for calendar year 2026. In addition to helping Art of the Lakes with our cash flow and economic stability, your membership:

• provides you with discounts on class fees
• is required to register for the Studio Tour
• is required to display your art in the Gallery
• demonstrates your support for art and creativity
• connects you with others in your community

​Our membership fees have not increased in over ten years. They're a great value, and a wonderful part of belonging here. Thank you!

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Featured Artist Opportunity

Featured Artists are a part of our in-gallery artist promotion each year. There are several openings available in the 2026 season. To be a Featured Artist, you must renew your membership and sign up for your gallery shifts. To allow all members to have a chance, this opportunity is limited to once every two years for each displaying artist. For questions or to sign up, call or text Donna Westerling 612-386-2868, or email [email protected]

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Our Members In The News

Art of the Lakes members are among the most active and accomplished artists and art supporters around! Here's a selection of news about just some of them.

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Mary Jo Wentz’s Gardener’s Delight (alcohol ink on canvas painting) has been juried into the Kaddatz Gallery’s current exhibition “Flourish”, on view January 20-February 28. Mary Williams also has juried work featured in the exhibition.

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Lakeland PBS (Bemidji and Brainerd) will be airing PJ Eiden's artist interview on February 19 at 7 PM. 

It features Paul's journey as an artist, his inspiration sources, some of his paintings and sketch book images, along with scenes of Battle Lake and Glendalough State Park.

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Board Minutes

January 21, 2026 Board Minutes

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Got Artful News?

Please email stories and images to Art of the Lake's newsletter editor, Tom Kuder. Deadline is two days before the end of each month. Thanks!