Hello! I am so glad you stopped by. Let me introduce myself: I am Kelly, director of Nemeth Art Center. I have five fantastic children and four miraculous grandchildren. All of them have been roped into helping at the art center in one way or the other. Okay, the grandbabies just keep grandma smiling! I am very grateful for their support and helping hands.
The Park Rapids area has been my home for fifteen years now and the wonderful friends I have made here have become my family. Most of my life I have been a stay at home mom (although I am not sure where that “stay at home” part fits in).
My life experience has been such that I felt equipped to tackle this multi-faceted position. I have a passion for all things beautiful, and the artists that create such beauty. Last year, I came on board part way through the season. This will be my first full year here at the Nemeth Art Center.
Our board of directors is marvelous! Not only are they full of GREAT ideas, but they are willing to put forth the effort to make them so. How lucky am I?!!
We have started our season with a bang! Before we even opened, the Park Rapids Lion’s Club generously spent time painting four of the five galleries at the art center. What a fun crew of people they are and how lovely it is to have fresh walls to showcase the artists’ work.
The first week open we had Matthew Wallace (director of the North Dakota Museum of Art) give a presentation of one of their traveling exhibits which we are currently showing called “Marking the Land.” You can read more about it on our Exhibits and Events page.
Next, we co- hosted the Park Rapids Chamber Business After Hours with Blank Canvas Gallery. We had a wonderful turn out in The Great Gallery of our art center. Rachael Opits was the lucky winner of the hanging basket (donated by Forest and Floral)!
Then of course we have the 31st Annual High School Fine Arts Exhibit. WOW, these students are amazing. The talent is incredible! I am already starting to miss their work and we still have a little over a week to go. Missing the artwork once it is gone, is an unfortunate occupational hazard.
The high school reception was well attented (over 80 guests here). Perry Nouis, Congressman Chip Cravaack’s public relations man, was here to hand out impressive congressional certificates to the winners and participants of the 2011 Congressional Art Competition.
Eleanor Lockridge Olson attended to continue the legacy of giving cash awards in honor of her mother; Helen Lockridge. We are so privileged that she continues to provide that gift to the students.
We are also very thankful to the Itasca Mantrap Round Up Program for funding this exhibit/reception.
Region 2 Arts Council is responsible for providing grants for some of our operational costs. The rest comes from our dedicated members. Thank you to each of you for supporting the arts in our communities!
The momentum is rolling at a steady pace here and the energy which that creates is quite the ride! I hope you will take some time to stop by and visit the revolving galleries. We change them approximately every four to five weeks, so there is always something new to see.
MACC (art restorers from Minneapolis) are working with us to create a seven year plan for the restoration of our permanent collection of 16th through 19th century European paintings. Stay tuned for furthur updates on the progress.
There are so many fantastic exhibits, workshops, etc. coming up at the Nemeth Art Center. Make sure you check out our Exhibits and Events page to see what’s coming up next!
Our current hours are 10:30 – 4:30, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
I look forward to seeing you!
Until then…keep creating a beautiful life!
Kelly
