Photo: Cynthia Maya
Annual juried art exhibition highlights artists from White Bear Lake and beyond.
It’s not too late to enjoy the creative work of regional artists at White Bear Center for the Arts’ (whitebeararts.org) longest-running annual exhibition. Through March 27, the 52nd Annual Northern Lights Juried Art Exhibition fills the Ford Family Gallery with color, life and texture.
“It’s really such a diverse range of art media being used,” says Karna Holub, White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) exhibition manager. With entries ranging from traditional oil and watercolor painting to contemporary sculpture, fiber arts and mixed media, up to 120 pieces are selected by three judges for the free exhibition. This year’s award winners and entrants were celebrated at a free community reception in February, where the judges spoke on the notable qualities of their selections.
The longevity of this exhibition, created in 1974 by the White Bear Arts Council (now WBCA) and Lakewood Community College (now Century College), is a testament to its importance in the area’s arts tradition. “It’s well known throughout the region,” Holub says. “I think the caliber of artists—anywhere from emerging to established artists—is very high. And it’s always fun to see what the judges select. Every year, it’s different. Every year, the judges are the ones [who] really decide the vision of the show.”
