51st Annual Northern Lights Juried Art Exhibition
In the Ford Family Gallery
Exhibition Dates: February 17-March 27, 2025
The Northern Lights Juried Art Exhibition shines as a celebration of local artists, showcasing their artistic talents in a variety of mediums. This year marks 51 years of this well-loved juried competition.
*Please note the gallery is closed Tuesdays from 12:00-1:15 PM for our Yoga in the Gallery class.
51st Annual Northern Lights Award Winners
Judge’s Choice: Christopher Copeland
“Goin’ Down the Road” Donald C. Aggerbeck
Judge’s Choice: Cadex Herrera
“Outta Here” Beth Thompson
Judges Choice: Jessica Turtle
“pack of Marb Light 100’s and a straight face”
Curator’s Choice Award
“When We Were Young” Ted MacLeod
Honorable Mentions
“Open Doors” Kristine Hinrichs
“Alone in a Crowd” Scott Krohn
Award of Merit
“Solar Spitball” Gary Carlson
Award of Excellence
“Chicago Dog - McCarron's Pub” Timothy Jones
Best of Show
“Carapace” Daniel Volenec
Meet This Year's Judges
Christopher Copeland, a 1983 graduate of the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, developed his passion for landscapes while growing up in rural Washington County. Painting outdoors on location, Copeland’s main concern is to record nature’s transient moments where the light is fleeting and most effective. Using loose but controlled brushwork, he works quickly to capture the atmospheric effects of light, shadow and color as they play on the land. Both emotional and expressive in content, his work is a testament to the mysterious beauty of nature.
Cadex Herrera is a a multi-disciplinary artist dedicated to shedding light on humanitarian, social, and environmental injustices. His artistic practice serves as a platform to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, including people of color, immigrants, and underserved communities.
Cadex's creative vision centers around empowerment and celebration. He believes in the transformative power of art to inspire change, foster unity, and honor the rich tapestry of history and culture that makes each community unique. He strives to create artwork that not only captivates the viewer but also leaves a lasting impact by resonating with the collective identity and values of the community it serves.
Jessica Turtle is a public artist whose work spans various mediums. Best known for her interactive exhibitions and nature-inspired montages, her work powerfully conveys the inherent value and interdependence of all living and nonliving things.
Turtle holds a BFA in Studio Arts with an emphasis on Metal Fabrication from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She has built strong professional relationships with galleries, educational institutions, public art and park commissions, and nonprofits. These collaborations have focused on designing and facilitating community-driven public art, exhibitions, workshops, and programs that encourage an exploration of the natural world and our place within it.