Annual Decoy Show + Rural Life Artwork
Paintings by Michelle Roise
Decoys by Rick Whittier
July 2 – August 3, 2024

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to announce its new gallery exhibit: “Rural Heritage” on display from July 2 through August 3, 2024. A reception will be held on Thursday, August 1, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Summer Gallery and Gift Store hours are Tuesdays 10-5, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-7, Fridays 10-5, and Saturdays 10-3.

This gallery show features the paintings of Michelle Roise and the decoys of Rick Whittier, combining for a unique artistic celebration of rural life and lifestyles. This gallery show is part of New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s celebration of rural lake country living through its 10th annual Fish House Festival which will be held Friday, July 12, 2024.

To learn more about the Fish House Festival, click here: 2024 Fish House Festival >

 

Michelle Bolduc Roise Artist’s Bio:

“I honestly can’t recall a time when I didn’t love the feel of a pencil or the smell of a crayon in my hand. Thankfully, I had encouraging parents and caring teachers who recognized and affirmed this farm girl’s artistic interest and budding skills. Eventually, I studied at the University of North Dakota, took a lengthy hiatus to raise my family, and completed my degrees in visual art and art history in 2016.

While UND formed a significant part of my formal education, complementing this were years of personal growth simply observing and living a full life in this very rural region— planting seeds of inspiration that continue bearing fruit to this day. While I had many opportunities to teach art to my own children and others, around 2015 I began drawing and painting again more seriously myself. Taking some great workshops, practicing, practicing, practicing, and enjoying mentorship in many forms, my body of work has continued to grow and mature—a process I hope never ends.

I have participated in many regional exhibitions through Red River Watercolor Society (as a Signature Status and board member), Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists (board member and Studio Crawl artist), Spirit Room-Fargo, at Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton, ND, Kaddatz Gallery in Fergus Falls, MN, as well as solo exhibits in the Essentia Atrium-Fargo, First Lutheran Church-Moorhead, Stephen Arts Center in Stephen, MN, and others.”

 

Fish decoys are a large part of both fishing traditions and folk art that will also be featured in the gallery alongside Roise’s paintings.

 

Rick Whittier of Lidgerwood, North Dakota creates decoys that are well-known throughout the fishing world.

Rick carves and paints nearly 400 different species and sub-species of fish, ranging from salmon to sunfish, and is proud to create high-quality decoys that are swim-tested, fully functional, and also collectible for all fishing enthusiasts.

Whittier’s decoys and workshops have been featured on several TV shows and written about in many magazines.

 

 

 

 

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center Gallery is free to see and open to the public. Summer Gallery Hours are Tuesdays 10am-5pm, Wednesdays & Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm. Private viewings can be arranged anytime by calling Cheryl Bannes at 218-385-3339 or emailing cheryl@kulcher.org.

The public is invited to a Gallery Reception on Thursday, August 1st from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Meet artist Michelle Roise and hear an artist talk, enjoy refreshments, and make connections with neighbors and friends. Free to attend and open to all!

This Gallery exhibit is a great example of our organizational vision to “celebrate the local” fishing and wildlife culture + providing a “window to the world” by featuring artists from outside our home state. Otter Tail County is filled with incredible outdoor wildlife and recreation, and fishing is part of New York Mills’ DNA as the home of Lund boats. This show celebrates the intersection of local art, wildlife, and fishing culture through the work of these talented artists.

This show is free and open to the public. Gallery and Gift Store Summer Hours are Tuesdays 10-5, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-7, Fridays 10-5, and Saturdays 10-3. Private viewing and tours can be arranged by contacting Cheryl Bannes at 218-385-3339 or cheryl@kulcher.org.

Questions? Call us at 218-385-3339.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.