Artful News for July 2025

In This Issue

Do the Tour! 25th Anniversary Studio Tour Starts July 18
Ceramics Studio Expands Available Hours
Get Creative: Classes and Workshops in July
​Get Involved: Volunteers Needed
Get Outdoors: Prairie Lakes Plein Air Festival 
Artful Tidbits
Members in the News

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Do the Tour! 25th Anniversary Studio Tour Starts July 18
Friday July 18 10-5
Saturday July 19 10-5
Sunday July 20* 10-3
*not all studios open Sunday

Artist List & Map

Artist Profiles

Artists in this region abound, and are among the most creative anywhere. Art of the Lakes is delighted to feature their talents in the 2025 Studio Tour, an up-close, immersive travel and collecting experience!

This year, 45 artists in 20 studios are eager to share their work, explain their artistic processes, and show off their studios. It's a fun way to explore our scenic back roads - and collect art!

Miles of Art Prize Drawing
To help celebrate our 25th anniversary of the Tour, plan on participating in Miles of Art, a drawing for some wonderful art prizes. Simply collect artist signatures from at least ten studios, and you'll be entered to win creations donated by Vanessa Sellner, Faythe Mills, Grace Haverty, Shirlee Aho Daulton, Sandra Shaugnessy, Donna Westerling, Sandra Thimgan, John Olesen, Sarah Browne and Art of the Lakes. Miles of Art entry forms will be available at all studios.

See you on the 2025 Studio Tour!

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Ceramics Studio Expands
​Hours & Access

Summer Check-in Hours at the Gallery
​Mon-Thurs: 10-5, Fri-Sat 10-8, Sun 10-3

Open Studio Hours Wednesday 5-8

clay events

The Ceramics Studio at the CAC now has expanded hours and ease of access for artists capable of working on their own. Any member with experience in ceramics can now gain use of this space whenever the gallery is open. Here's how it works:

1. Purchase a Punch Card online.
2. Purchase clay online at least one day prior to your use. 
3. Check in at the Gallery desk. The gallery sitter will punch your card and collect your Driver's License in exchange for the key to the CAC door. 
4. Follow the rules and guidelines posted in the studio.
5. Lock the door and return the key before the gallery closes to get your license back.

All AOTL members must check in at the gallery before using the Ceramic Studio. Adults ages 18+ only.

Kiln Funds Needed! We're still seeking financial support for the purchase of our new kiln. Call 218-864-8606 if you can help!

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Get Creative: Classes & Workshops in July

Youth Classes

Adult Classes

Clay Classes

July 7: Youth Summer Art Camps
July 8 & 9: What Remains: Memoir Writing
July 10: Join the Shrub Club Class
July 10: Mahjong for Beginners (FULL)
July 11: Clay Date Night
July 24 & 31: Ceramic Birdhouse Wind Chimes
July 25: Sculpting a Clay Torso (FULL)

Get creative - see you in class!

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Get Involved: Volunteers Needed

One of the best ways to connect and make a difference in our community is to volunteer for Art of the Lakes activities. We currently have opportunities to get involved in these areas:

• Board Member. Thoughtful people who are passionate about the arts are invited to apply. AOTL membership is not required. Kristi Kuder 612-940-5796
• Prairie Lakes Plein Air festival assistants. Text or call Shanna Cramer 218-422-5753
• Gallery attendant (displaying artists). Shifts needed July 5, July 26, August 6, August 7. Gallery Sitting Calendar
• Phelps Mill Festival, July 12-13. Setup / teardown, booth sales, teach children's activities. Debbie Ness 218-864-8606
• Art & Craft Affair, August 8-9 setup / teardown. Debbie Ness 218-864-8606 ​

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Get Outdoors:
​Prairie Lakes Plein Air Festival

The 2025 Prairie Lakes Plein Air Festival kicked off on June 21 with an Opening Reception at the CAC.

Throughout the summer, artists and collectors can enjoy the Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint competition. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of Plein Air motifs and styles of artwork.

Get outside and paint, or peek over the shoulders of artists working in and around Battle Lake, Glendalough and throughout Otter Tail County. PLPA Information

Outdoor painters: The last day to register for the PLPA Competition is July 15. Artist Registration

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Artful Tidbits

Cynthia Buchholz, Bittersweet Barn Quilt Company, taught a Barn Quilt class at the CAC in June and had this to say: "This was such a fun group of ladies! I’ll never forget Grace. She was so funny and I even got her to dance to the song Dancing Queen. Thank you for organizing the class." Another class is available on August 10.

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Alexandria Brush and Palette is sponsoring a watercolor workshop with Dan Kuckenberger July 22 & 23 in Alexandria. Contact Jo Ann Almich for info and to register.

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Millerville Co-Op Creamery is looking for a mural artist for the side of their building. Deadline to apply is July 11. More information

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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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Grace Haverty had her painting “Ballerina “ accepted into the 57th Annual Watercolor West International Juried Exhibition which will be at the Hilbert Museum of California. The exhibition is August 23 through November 29. 

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Ceramic artist Sean Scott of Battle Lake will exhibit his work at the Loring Park Art Festival in Minneapolis on July 26 & 27.  A week earlier he'll participate in the AOTL Studio Tour with his wife Kate Scherfenberg at Pomme de Terre Pottery.

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Edie Thiel has won First Place, Northwest Region in the 2025 Photo Contest sponsored by Parks & Trails in Minnesota. Her photo, Butterfly on Wildflower, was shot in Glendalough State Park.

​Our Northwest Region includes 18 State Parks and 2 State Trails.

​Congratulations, Edie!

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Board Minutes

Board Minutes for May 21, 2025
Board Minutes for June 18, 2025

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Got AOTL News?

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