Artful News September 2026

In this Issue

Outdoor Painters Reveal New Creations September 25
Oh, The Stories They'll Tell at "The Hook!"
Fall Classes Bring Enjoyment and Awareness
Our Artists Keep Our Gallery Glowing
Members In The News / Artful Tidbits

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Outdoor Painters Reveal New Creations on September 25

Preview Reception & Award Ceremony
Friday Sept 25 6-8 pm

preview tickets

Quick Paint
Saturday Sept 26

Competition Exhibition & Sale
Sept 26 - Oct 24

All summer long, some three dozen outdoor (plein air) painters have been exploring, discovering and interpreting scenes in Otter Tail County as part of the 2026 Prairie Lakes Plein Air (PLPA) festival sponsored by Art of the Lakes. In late September, their new work will be revealed. 

Reception September 25. A Collectors' Preview Reception and Award Ceremony will be held Friday, September 25 at the Art of the Lakes Gallery from 6-8 pm. This will be an art-lovers' social event and a rare opportunity to view artworks from prominent plein air painters from around the Midwest who are this year's PLPA competition participants. 

At the reception, prize winners will be announced by oil painter and this year's competition judge, Michele Combs. Prizes range from $75 for Honorable Mention, to $1,000 for Best in Show.

Following the Award Ceremony, the Art of the Lakes Gallery will host a Quick Paint on Saturday Sept 26, and a Competition Exhibition and Sale of the painters’ works from September 26 - October 24, 2026. During that time, the Gallery will be open to the public Wed-Sun 11-4. The exhibition then travels to Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls in November, and to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in December.

​Please join us in celebrating these talented artists' work!

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Oh, The Stories They'll Tell at "The Hook!"

Sep 17 tix

Oct 22 tix

Nov 12 tix

Everyone has a story to tell, and we invite you to tell yours - or just listen as others share the art of storytelling.

Art of the Lakes is excited to introduce The Hook, an unscripted storytelling series inspired by The Moth (heard on NPR) and The Tell in Fargo. Come and watch live storytelling, or be brave and put your name in the hat to tell your own story.

Our first topic in September is "Falling," and eight storytellers will do their best to catch you in their short personal narratives.

Two other events are planned for October ("Spooky") and November ("That's Awkward").

All events will be held at the 1910 Sip House, with musical guests Joe and Katie Ahlfs. Guest storytellers from The Fargo Tell will be on hand at the September event.

Doors open at 6:00. Stories begin at 6:30. Tickets are $15 and seating is limited. Attendees must be 18 or older.

You don't need to be a professional to get in on the fun as a storyteller. For September, the topic of "Falling" can be interpreted in many ways. How would you relate something short and meaningful (with a "hook") that has been on your mind for awhile?

Teller or listener, we hope to see you there!

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Fall Classes Bring Enjoyment
​and Awareness

Info/register

Our Fall lineup of classes has been updated to bring you some new options as the weather turns from lazy summer days to cool autumn nights. Here are some highlights:

Plein Air at Maplewood with Stephen Henning. Join Stephen at Maplewood State Park for a day of plein air painting. 

​Finger Knitting a Throw Blanket. (Full - waitlist available)

3D Pumpkin Needle Felting. (Repeat class added by popular demand)

Winter Scene Ornament Alcohol Ink

Let's Make Lefse

Assemblage Art: Trash to Treasures. This fun class embodies the mantra of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and is partially funded by a grant from West Central Initiative. ​“One man’s trash is another’s treasure!”

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Our Artists Keep
​Our Gallery Glowing

Gallery hours thru Labor Day
Mon-Thu 10-5, ​Fri & Sat 10-8, Sun 10-3

Gallery hours after Labor Day
Wed-Sun 11-4

It has been a wonderful summer at the Gallery, with some amazing new work by our displaying artists gracing the walls, shelves and displays. Summer hours continue through Labor Day, and we will be open Wednesday through Sunday throughout the Fall months.

Notes for Displaying Artists

• Fall and winter shifts are now available on the Schedulista calendar. If you haven't fulfilled your shifts, or if you're able to add another shift, please sign up, or call Debbie at the gallery at (218) 864-8606.
• Holiday Market is coming up - now is the time to be getting new art ready!
• You can help publicize our gallery by taking photos of customers when they buy art! Send photos to Sandy Thimgan at (218) 371-5964 or [email protected]

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Members In The News /
​Artful Tidbits

Evansville Arts Center 

• Women of Hope Leadership on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
• First Time Exhibitors: Alayna Eldred - Photographer and Jim Burger - Sculptor on display for the month of Sept. Artist reception Wednesday, 9/23 6-8
• 3rd Annual Fall Festival Concert Fundraiser Oct 18 at Somedays Bar and Grill. 12-5pm. Five bands will be taking the stage. Tickets $20. Get tickets by emailing [email protected]

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Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy of Clayhouse Pottery is exhibiting at Edina Fall Into The Arts Festival, September 12-13, Centennial Lakes Park, Edina.

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AOTL artists are invited to submit a piece of artwork for "Art & Blossom," a Spring Art Showcase sponsored by Ottertail Community & Wellness Center (OCWC) scheduled for March 2027. Each artwork will be paired with a florist who will design a complementary floral arrangement inspired by the piece.  Pairings will be displayed to the public at OCWC for one week. If interested, drop off art at the AOTL Gallery.

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Got AOTL News?

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