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A cat in an artist loft window peers down at the visitors to Kaddatz Galleries below

Walking down Lincoln Avenue in Fergus Falls, it's hard to miss 

, located just across the street from the Fergus Theater, in the old Kaddatz Hotel. The galleries may have only been open for a year and a half, but they have already become a home for regional artists looking to show their work.

Front and center in the showroom is the work of Fergus Falls native, Charles Beck. Beck, now in his 80s, helped found the Fergus Falls arts scene, and inspired future generations of artists while teaching at 

Beck's wood block prints depict Minnesota landscapes and wildlife in all seasons, using patterns that are often as geometric as they are natural. He's shown his work at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Walker Art Center.

While Charles Beck may be the best known artist based in Fergus Falls, other talent abounds. The Kaddatz Galleries currently have three exhibits up, including a show of assemblage pieces and pastel drawings by Kirk Williams. Then there's a group show of artwork all made from the same recyclable paper bag. Hanging on display are the costumes for Universit of Minnesota, Morris' recent production of "As you like it," which, in addition to being beautiful and period appropriate, are made entirely from re-used objects like pop bottle tops and tea bags.

Created by A Center for the Arts, the Kaddatz Galleries have since spun off into their own non-profit. Gallery manager Gretchen Boyum says its mission is to foster arts education and appreciation, and to maintain a gallery space where the works of Charles Beck and other artists in the region are accessible to the local public:

With the help of ArtSpace Above the galleries, the upper floors of the old hotel have been converted into artist lofts that currently house two photographers, four painters, and two musicians.

In addition, Boyum has been taking the art out into the community, leading printmaking workshops for school children, and hosting "artful afternoons" at local senior care facilities.

One of the costumes for the production of "As You Like It" at the University of Minnesota, Morris

Boyum says the community response to the galleries has been great, with more than 100 people attended the most recent opening.

Kaddatz Galleries is located at 111 W Lincoln Avenue in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. 

Arts and Culture

State of the Arts Blog

Marianne Combs

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A Fergus Falls gallery celebrates the career of printmaker Charles Beck and showcases the work of other artists in the region.

Kaddatz Galleries and Charles Beck

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