art gallery

A compass with a rocket icon in the center and the number 50 behind it.

FiftyNorth has a long tradition of supporting the arts, and integrating creativity into daily life.

We know that self-expression is an important part of our social and emotional wellbeing, and art is a wonderful way to share experience, and enhance our quality of life. In addition to art classes, FiftyNorth maintains a vibrant art gallery. We host a new show nearly every month, and we work to lift up artists in our membership and greater Northfield. We exhibit a diversity of arts and crafts including painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, traditional handicrafts, woodworking and more. 

Landscape painting of a lakeside scene with trees and a boat, inside a gold ornate frame, on a white gallery wall.

We host gallery openings and artist talks, bringing our community together to celebrate human expression in all its forms.

Artists are encouraged to price and sell their work via our gallery; in exchange, FiftyNorth asks for a modest commission/donation for managing artist sales.

If you are interested in exhibiting in the FiftyNorth gallery, please reach out to Michelle Brant, our Community Programs and Events Manager. Michelle manages our gallery and loves to connect with creatives of all kinds.

michelle.brant@fiftynorth.org

Current Exhibition

Barbara Gardner Oertli

 Gallery exhibit

October 6 – November 13

Artist Reception

Thursday, October 8, 4:00 to 5:00PM

Barbara Gardner Oertli

on Display from October 6 – November 13

Artist Reception - Thursday, October 8, 4:00 to 5:00PM

Email: oertlidesign@yahoo.com 

Website: oertlidesign.com

Artist’s Statement:   

Barbara Oertli is a Dundas, Minnesota based contemporary realist working primarily in oils. She is inspired by her walks in nature, recently completing a series of paintings exploring favorite spots along the Mill Towns State Trail which runs from Dundas to Northfield. She also enjoys doing alla prima still life paintings, florals and figurative work.

A native of San Jose, California, she holds a BA in Studio Art, San Jose State University, with post grad work at the Lacoste School of the Arts in France​, and a Certificate in Web Design & Development from University of California, Santa Cruz.

Professionally she worked as a graphic designer, web designer, illustrator and marketing communications administrator for corporations and non-profits in the San Francisco Bay Area. Retiring from corporate life and moving first to Northern California, and more recently to Minnesota, she now has more time to pursue her artistic interests. She is a member of the Minnesota Artist’s Association, Northfield Arts Guild and Outdoor Painters of Minnesota.


Click on an image below to enlarge

David Miller
Photography

My interest in photography probably comes from my father. He loved taking photos with his Argosy 35mm film camera when I was a child, and he always had them developed into color slides. About ten years ago, I decided to start taking more photos, and my photography show will be a potpourri of mostly vacation shots from our travels, although some will be recognizable as being very close to home!

Artist’s Statement:   


This photo of a fun sculpture was taken in Mason City Iowa and brings together two of my passions: music and photography.

UP NEXT IN THE GALLERY

Greg Smith
Record Album Covers

on Display from Monday, November 16 - Wednesday, December 30

Artist Reception - Thursday, November 19, 4:00 to 5:00pm

Artist’s Statement:   

On a visit to Barnes and Noble bookstore I picked up an art magazine. The Museum of Modern Art in New Your City (MOMA) was featured in this magazine for their work with art and Alzheimer’s disease. I called the director of this program and shared with him my experience as a musician playing for people who were experiencing memory loss. The gallery show that you see  represents my attempt to integrate the beauty of Record Cover Art with powerful music with the goal of stimulating memory and conversation. 

I believe that art and music therapists could use my ideas as a resource to help people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Kathy Ness
baskets

Artist’s Statement:   

KNess Designs is the result of my passion for upcycling and creating beautiful and unique clothing and other useful items. I use recycled materials to create one of a kind pieces that are both stylish and sustainable. Each item is handmade with love and attention to detail, and I strive to make the world a better place by reducing waste and giving new life to pre-loved items. I invite you to browse my collections and join me on my mission to create a more sustainable future.

I retired from the Northfield Public Library 8 years ago and am enjoying following my creative passions and volunteering. 


Artists, we are excited to showcase your art here at FiftyNorth, where hundreds of people visit each day!

Our exhibits run for approximately 5 weeks and can be an individual show or a group of artists working together. Contact us for more details.

Gallery space:

Display case with various artifacts including jewelry, pottery, and textiles inside for an exhibit.

3 glass cases – 16in x 16in shelves (4-5 shelves per case)

Photograph of a gallery wall displaying framed photos of cityscapes and landscapes, with a colorful sunset over a city skyline, mounted on a white wall with wooden beams and track lighting above.

4 wall spaces – 6 ft long x 4 ½ ft tall

Gallery with framed photographs on a green wall, track lighting above, and a wood beam structure on the right side.

1 long wall – 40 ft long x 4 ½ ft tall