Big Shoes, Grateful Hearts, and a New Chapter Ahead!
Farewell Cheryl Bannes & Welcome Megan Shirley-Ross!
After 8 years of dedicated service, the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will soon bid a fond “Happy Trails!” to Cheryl Bannes, our long-time Artistic Director, as she heads into a well-earned retirement in July 2025.
Cheryl’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. From curating powerful exhibits and championing Minnesota artists, to leading imaginative programs for learners of all ages, Cheryl has infused our organization with creativity, purpose, and heart.
She first came to the Cultural Center as an artist-in-residence in 2012, and officially took on the role of Artistic Director in 2017, bringing with her a deep belief in the power of art to connect, heal, and inspire.
We are endlessly grateful for her vision, dedication, and creativity that she’s brought to our community. Cheryl may be retiring from her day-to-day role, but we’re hopeful that she’ll continue to be involved in special projects—and we’ll be celebrating her many contributions later this year in a special December gallery show, featuring her own artwork alongside that of dear friends and family.
Additionally, all are invited to Celebrate & Make Art with Cheryl @ The Barn on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM! Have fun with watercolor, printmaking, and other projects as we enjoy food, drinks, and friendship, and express appreciation to Cheryl for the impact she has had at the Cultural Center since 2017. Open house style, all are welcome to stop by to celebrate and make art with Cheryl at the Barn. Hope to see you there!
💛 Thank you, Cheryl, for your hard work, your vision, and your tireless dedication to creativity and community.
As we honor Cheryl’s legacy, we’re also thrilled to welcome our new Artistic Director, Megan Shirley-Ross, who will join the team in August 2025. Megan comes to us from Lubbock, Texas, and brings with her an impressive background in fine arts education, community-based programming, and a true passion for helping people unlock their creative potential.
A Fargo, ND native, Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Minnesota State University, and has been teaching the arts to students from age 9 to 90 since 2009.
In 2016, she founded Miss Megan’s Make Room, a vibrant community art studio offering art classes, workshops, private events, and gallery opportunities for youth and adults alike. She has also worked with the Lubbock Arts Alliance, Texas Tech Pediatrics, and the Museum of Texas Tech University as part of their Teaching Artist Team.
Megan will start part-time on August 18 and will transition to full-time as of September 1, 2025. Please join us in giving Megan a warm welcome and helping her feel at home!
Here’s a note from Megan:
“Hey y’all, I am Megan Shirley-Ross, the new Artistic Director at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. My family and I are so excited to be joining the New York Mills community at the end of the summer, and to have the opportunity to get to know the people who make it such a special place!
A little of my background…. I am a Fargo, ND native, but met & married a Texan and have been living, working, raising a family, and serving the community in Lubbock, TX since 2013. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts from Minnesota State University and have been teaching the arts to students from ages 9 to 90 since 2009. I started sewing with my grandmother in Rothsay, MN, when I was 8 years old, and hold a special place in my heart for Fiber Arts as well as Painting.
I founded Miss Megan’s Make Room in 2016 in hopes of inspiring creativity in the youth of Lubbock and surrounding communities by offering fine art classes and lessons in drawing, painting, art history, sewing, embroidery, sculpture, collage, and printmaking. Miss Megan’s Make Room has also been the home of a student art gallery, weekend craft workshops, adult classes, and full-service instructor-led private events and parties.
In addition to being Miss Megan, I’ve been working with the Lubbock Arts Alliance and Texas Tech University Pediatrics students, teaching a monthly art lesson to foster children, and as part of the Teaching Artist Team at the Museum of Texas Tech University.
I’m SO excited to be joining the team at the NYMRCC, and to bring my experience, my personal love of learning, and the absolute joy I find in helping artists of all ages achieve their “A-ha!” moment when learning a new skill or concept. I am also looking forward to expanding my artistic expertise with the residency program and collaborating with regional artists to fill the gallery with new and exciting exhibits.”
We’re thrilled to welcome Megan and her family to New York Mills and can’t wait for you to meet them. Her arrival marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter—and we are confident her energy, warmth, and vision will help carry the Cultural Center’s mission forward with creativity and care.
Please join us in thanking Cheryl for her incredible contributions and in welcoming Megan with open arms. It’s a beautiful moment of transition, and we’re so glad to share it with all of you—our community of artists, art-lovers, supporters, and friends.
🎨💛 Here’s to the next chapter of creativity in New York Mills!
Questions? Contact Executive Director Betsy Roder at betsy@kulcher.org or 218-385-3339.
