Kaddatz Galleries Presents the Inaugural Beck Biennial Invitational and 40 Acres for 40 Years by Mary Guttormson Erickson

Kaddatz Galleries is pleased to present two new exhibitions opening this summer: the inaugural Beck Biennial Invitational in the Charles Beck Gallery and 40 Acres for 40 Years, a solo exhibition by Mary Guttormson Erickson in Studio K. Both exhibitions will be on view July 7–August 15, 2026, with a public opening reception on Thursday, July 16, from 5–7 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Beck Biennial Invitational

The inaugural Beck Biennial Invitational honors the artistic legacy of renowned Fergus Falls artist Charles Beck while celebrating the creative voices of local and regional artists. Throughout his long and prolific career, Beck found endless inspiration in the landscapes and communities of west-central Minnesota. From soaring geese and rural hayfields to quiet moments of everyday life, his work reflected a deep appreciation for the place he called home.

Inspired by Beck’s enduring connection to the region, the artists featured in this exhibition explore themes of landscape, community, belonging, and personal history through a wide range of mediums. Together, their works celebrate the beauty, complexity, and meaning of home while highlighting the rich artistic talent that continues to thrive throughout the region.

The exhibition was selected by guest juror Amy Sharpe, a writer, fiber artist, and founder of Ripple River Gallery near Bay Lake, Minnesota. Sharpe worked closely with Beck to document his life and artistic practice and is the author of Charles Beck: The Nature of an Artist (2017). Her deep understanding of Beck’s work and legacy brings a unique perspective to the inaugural exhibition.

Studio K: 40 Acres for 40 Years

Also on view this summer, Studio K will feature 40 Acres for 40 Years, a solo exhibition by artist Mary Guttormson Erickson.

Drawing inspiration from four decades spent on a Finnish farmstead and the restorative landscapes of Minnesota’s woodlands and lakes, Erickson’s exhibition is a celebration of observation, gratitude, and belonging. Through richly detailed pastel illustrations accented with charcoal, colored pencil, and gold leaf, the artist captures fleeting moments of beauty found in the natural world.

Each work reflects what Erickson describes as a “micro-joy”, a moment when sunlight, landscape, and attention converged to reveal something extraordinary in the everyday. Influenced by the writings of author and educator Parker Palmer, the exhibition invites viewers to slow down, reconnect with nature, and consider their own place within the larger web of life.

Reflecting on the role of arts spaces in communities, Erickson writes, “Galleries are the spaces that grow creativity, imagination, and joy. They heal sorrow and loss. Galleries provide space for learning empathy. They feature the wisdom of elder artists and present the dreams of young artists.”

Together, these two exhibitions celebrate the powerful connections between place, memory, creativity, and community – values that have long been at the heart of Kaddatz Galleries.

Exhibition Dates: July 7–August 15, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 5–7 p.m.
Location: Kaddatz Galleries
Admission: Free and open to the public

Kaddatz Galleries welcomes visitors from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 12 pm – 5 pm, and extends its hours on Thursdays until 7 pm. There is never a charge to enter Kaddatz Galleries to see the exhibitions on view.  To learn more about these exhibitions visit www.kaddatzgalleries.org.

About Kaddatz Galleries

The Kaddatz Galleries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering visual arts education and appreciation. Located in downtown Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the gallery celebrates the work of area artists and honors the legacy of Charles Beck. The Kaddatz presents focused exhibitions and a rotating selection of regional artists’ work. Studio K, its secondary gallery and community meeting space, features smaller or more experimental bodies of work by established and emerging artists. Admission to the galleries is always free. The Kaddatz also regularly offers visual arts workshops and educational opportunities to make art experiences accessible to diverse audiences.