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Chloe Bischoff Connects Storytelling, Soil, and Ceramics as Lanesboro Artist-in-Residence

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Lanesboro Arts is pleased to welcome Minneapolis-based ceramicist Chloe Bischoff as the Lanesboro Artist-in-Residence from April 1 – April 30.

During their residency, Bischoff will connect residents with the inert materials that make up the land around them through the mediums of clay and storytelling.

Everything from Lanesboro’s geography to its built environment have been shaped by the people and materials which exist there, from the steep bluffscapes that shape the river valley to the rich historical brick facades downtown. To explore this entanglement, Chloe will invite community members to collect soil samples from significant places in their lives, and incorporate them into clay to create a series of ceramic totems. The resulting collection of sculptures will tell a story about Lanesboro’s human and material community.

The community is invited to participate in a series of free public workshops and events, starting with a Welcome Potluck on Thursday, April 2nd. Folks will also get the opportunity to explore with clay in a set of hand-building workshops. Bischoff is offering two opportunities to attend each workshop, so that more people are able to engage with the totem-making process. The residency will culminate in a Capstone Presentation of the finished catalogue of totems and their respective stories on Wednesday, April 29th. The project will stand as a monument to Lanesboro residents’ varied relationships to the land. Those who made totems will be invited to take their finished piece home.

Residency Events:

  • Thu, April 2nd, 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Welcome Potluck and Presentation
  • Fri, April 10th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm & Sun, April 12th, 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Soil Collection and Pinch Pot Workshop
  • Sat, April 11th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Story Sharing Table at Lanesboro Winter Farmers Market
  • Fri, April 17th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm & Sun, April 19th, 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Land Totem Making Workshop
  • Wed, April 29th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Capstone Presentation

About Chloe Bischoff

Chloe Bischoff is a sculptor and ceramicist whose work investigates the millennia-old relationship between humans and clay. Their work investigates this relationship, beholding clay as an emissary of matter through which to explore themes of animism, selfhood, and queer ecology—concepts that dissolve boundaries between living and nonliving entities and reimagine nature as an non-hierarchical, entangled network of vibrant matter. Chloe sees their process as reciprocal interaction between themself and the clay rather than as a utilization of an inert medium.

About the Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency Program

Since it began in 2001, the Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency program has welcomed artists of all disciplines to live, work, and create in the rural context of greater Lanesboro. Supported through 2027 by the Jerome Foundation, the program awards two to three residencies per year to early career artists with projects that activate the people & places of Lanesboro while instigating positive change. The program is unique in that it provides an entire rural community and its myriad assets as a catalytic vehicle for engagement and artistic experimentation, with staff working with each resident to create a fully-customized residency experience. For more information, visit lanesboroarts.org.

Vesterheim Features: The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition

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DECORAH, Iowa — Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, is participating in the project, Handwork 2026, joining more than 250 arts organizations across the country, which are hosting exhibitions and events during 2026 to showcase the importance of the handmade throughout the country’s history and in contemporary life.

Presented by Craft in America, Handwork 2026 celebrates the diversity of the crafts that define the United States, bringing compelling stories and underrepresented art and artists into the spotlight. Developed in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States, the project invites a celebration of the country’s shared heritage through the beauty, skill, and stories of handmade objects created by and for Americans over the last two and a half centuries.

Vesterheim’s feature for Handwork 2026 is “The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition,” showcasing contemporary American artists who create folk art rooted in Norwegian traditions. This exhibition celebrates folk art by encouraging and inspiring emerging and established folk artists to develop their craft. Artists submit work for evaluation by a team of judges, who offer feedback on the entries and award ribbons, which carry points that accumulate toward a Vesterheim Gold Medal.

The exhibition includes categories of blacksmithing, knifemaking, rosemaling, weaving, and woodworking, rooted in Norwegian traditions. Artists can submit pieces from May 1-20 for the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a gallery exhibit, receive judging feedback, and offer pieces for sale! The exhibit is open to the public from June 12-July 25, including during Decorah’s Nordic Fest from July 23-25, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Check vesterheim.org for entry information and forms, as well as profiles of Vesterheim Gold Medalists.

Handwork 2026 was developed by the team behind Craft in America and its Peabody Award–winning documentary series. It unfolds over the course of the year in venues across the country and on multiple platforms, including a four-part PBS series, a landmark publication, and the initiative’s core exhibition at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Carol Sauvion, Executive Director of Craft in America, said, “Craft connects us. It reminds us of who we are and what we share. Making by hand links us through creativity across generations. From the earliest artisans to today’s makers, the handmade continues to shape our American story.”

Handwork 2026 brings compelling stories, art, and artists into the spotlight through the following activities:

PBS Documentary Series
Four special episodes of Craft in America, the Peabody Award-winning Series, entitled EAST, WEST, NORTH, and SOUTH, present a rich exploration of the handmade in traditional, studio, ethnic, and contemporary processes.

Education
With a special focus on grades K-12, education guides take a wide look at the history, cultural traditions, and impact of craft in the United States, from Indigenous origins until today, and include hands-on craft activities. Available beginning January 2026 on handwork2026.org, CraftInAmerica.org, and through PBS LearningMedia.

Publication
Presenting the extraordinary range of the handmade in the United States, “Handwork: Handcrafted Things That Made America” will be rich in images of exquisite handmade objects, featured alongside artist statements and essays by leading experts. The publication is scheduled for release in April 2026.

Nationwide Exhibitions & Events
A core tenet of Handwork 2026 is its extraordinary scale of collaboration. Along with Vesterheim’s “National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition,” many organizations nationwide have joined this initiative, including the Museum of Arts & Design, New York; Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Corning Museum of Glass, New York; Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa; and many more. For a current list of all participating institutions, visit www.handwork2026.org/participants.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

51st Annual WIARA State Ski & Snowboard Championships

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Explore La Crosse is excited to announce the 51st Wisconsin State High School Ski & Snowboard Championships on the beautiful slopes of Mt. La Crosse in La Crosse this weekend, February 14 – 16, 2026.

This second-to-none event is entering its 33rd consecutive year in La Crosse with over 400 of Wisconsin’s top high school athletes featured in ski & snowboard racing, making this the largest high school race in the United States! Athletes, teams, friends, and family attending this event will bring the total attendance to over 2,500* for the three-day championship event.

Although in-person attendance seems impressive, the fun isn’t just staying local. The live webcast and archived video of races takes this championship to the world-class level. Over 15,650 views of last year’s championships have been accrued by fans from all over the world! The live webcast and strong attendance showcases the area and is ideal for local businesses to receive tremendous foot traffic. To view the live streaming of the State Championships and for more information,  click here.

*Please expect an influx of skiers, snowboarders, a

Choose Chatfield for Your Next Adventure

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By Charlene Corson Selbee

Next time you are traveling through Chatfield, Minn., include time in your itinerary to get to know the gateway to Bluff Country or plan your next Bluff Country outing to Chatfield.

Chatfield is located minutes south of Rochester, nestled along the Root River on US Highway 52 in the heart of the “Chosen Valley.”  Home to over 3,000 people and the only stoplight in the county, heck, it’s the only stoplight on 52 from the Twin Cities to Iowa. The town will lure you in with its small-town charm.

Parks and Tupers Goose

Enjoy over 64 acres dedicated to parkland, including a variety of parks.  From Mill Creek with fishing, volleyball, and walking trails to Groen Park that offers a picnic shelter and play equipment, to the city park with large shade trees, picnic tables, restrooms, and play equipment, there is a park for everyone to relax or play in.

Hillside Nursery

On your way into or out of Chatfield, or stop twice at Hillside Nursery, just three miles north of Chatfield, which began as a dream in 1998 for Gerry and Sandy Gathje has grown into a picturesque garden center with an amazing atmosphere filled with fun and unexpected treasures. Beginning the first week in May, the Little Farm Petting Zoo is open for snuggling with bunnies and kittens or playing with the farm animals. It is a garden center, so don’t forget to purchase a selection of healthy plants for your flower beds and your vegetable garden. Don’t forget to check out the garden shop for a wide selection of garden art and garden tools. They also offer special events and workshops throughout the spring, summer, and fall including the annual open house, Kids Day, Mother’s Day Celebration, Music on the Farm, and Plant a Vegetable Patch.

Chosen Valley Golf Club

Are you looking for a challenging golf course? Look no further than the 9-hole golf course nestled in the “Chosen Valley” of Southeastern Minnesota.  The course is open to the public and conveniently located along US Highway 52, the CVGC offers scenic views and rolling terrain, making for challenging play at a reasonable price for golfers of every skill level. The course plays 2,933 yards from the deepest tees for a par of 35.

Chatfield Growers and Makers Market

Shop local with a visit to the Chatfield Area Growers & Makers Market. The market is open May through October on Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m. The market is located on Fourth Street between the City Park and the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Visitors will find a wide selection of locally grown produce, freshly baked goods and bread, canned goods, pork and beef products, homemade soaps and lotions, bracelets, and much more.

Kappers’ Big Red Barn

This may be your favorite stop thanks to the variety of flavors of ice cream at Kappers’ Big Red Barn. The family-run micro-dairy, tucked into a picturesque valley in Chatfield, has been in operation since 2004.  In addition to the ice cream, Grade A milk is produced, processed, and packaged in glass half-gallon bottles on the Farm. Don’t forget to pick up a package of squeaky cheese curds.

Chatfield Center for the Arts

The Chatfield Center for the Arts (CCA) is a vibrant cultural hub located in Chatfield, Minnesota.  It serves as a community gathering place that celebrates the arts through a diverse range of performances, exhibitions and educational programs.  Housed in a beautifully restored building, the center offers welcoming space for artists and audiences alike, fostering creativity and engagement. Originally built in 1916 to serve as an institution of learning for the children of Chatfield, the historic property now houses programming in the visual and performing arts to inspire and connect future generations. The Center is comprised of the fully renovated 658-seat potter auditorium and an adjoining 2-story former school that features convertible performance spaces, multipurpose rooms, and visual art studios in the making.

Chatfield OHV Trail

Chatfield OHV Trail located in southeastern Minnesota, this 19-mile trail was developed by a group of neighbors with a passion for ATVs. The trail is entirely on private land and leads riders through backdrops of field, forest, pasture and woods. Please respect the private landowners and stay on the marked trails.

Oakenwald Terrace Bed & Breakfast

Are you planning to stay overnight?  This pristine 1897 home has thrilled those who have toured it for many years. The three-story, twenty-one-room Victorian mansion encompasses over 10,000 square feet and is overflowing with antiques and collectibles. Oakenwald is a museum of sorts, so allow time to explore and feast your eyes on the wonderful woodwork and evident craftsmanship. Oakenwald Terrace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

All six suites are large, comfortable and have their own private bath.

Chatfield Music Lending Library and the Chatfield Brass Band

Founded by Jim Perkins in 1969, the Chatfield Brass Band has maintained a rich tradition of community concerts, with members ranging in age from 16 to 85, hailing from 15 communities throughout SE Minnesota.  The band performs in an eight-week “Music in the Park” summer concert series in the Chatfield Band Shell, centrally located in the city park.  The Chatfield Brass Band, Inc. also operates the Chatfield Music Lending Library, a cataloged collection of band, orchestra, and sheet music that they lend to the public.  The music lending library gives bands a unique opportunity to perform classic band literature that may be out of print and unavailable elsewhere.

Lost Creek Hiking Trail

Do you need to stretch your legs? The Lost Creek Hiking Trail is a 10.7-mile out-and-back trail that offers a moderately challenging hiking experience. The trail offers a well-maintained and well-marked path, suitable for both hiking or running.  You will see a variety of landscapes, including farmland, forests, prairies, and stream crossings- providing a scenic hiking experience.

Family Activities on Free Second Saturday at Vesterheim

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Visit Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, on Free Second Saturday, February 14, for free museum admission and crafts for the whole family. Hearts and other symbols abound on folk art in Vesterheim’s collection. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to explore and discover hearts on objects throughout the galleries, and visitors can make patterned paper Valentines using texture boards and crayons.

Stop by to see the new exhibit, “Red River Girl: From Telemark to the Buffalo,” which explores the stories of the Thortvedt family, who immigrated from Fyresdal, Telemark, to Glyndon, Minnesota. The exhibit is illustrated with drawings, paintings, photographs, letters, and journals that Levi Thortvedt and his daughter Orabel created to record their community’s history.

Vesterheim offers free admission and family activities every month on Free Second Saturdays, supported in part by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Bill and Kathi Wild and The Depot Outlet. Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, 563-382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Free Day for Local Minnesotans at the International Owl Center

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Free Day for Local Minnesotans at the International Owl Center
January 10-11, 2026
Houston, Minnesota

Residents of Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties, including college students, are specially invited to visit the International Owl Center for FREE on January 10 and 11. The Owl Center is located in Houston, Minnesota, just 30 minutes south of Winona, and is the only all-owl education center in the United States.

Five live ambassador owls currently work at the Center (Great Horned Owl, American Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Barred Owls and Burrowing Owl. You’ll also find touchable wings and tails, 19 species of extremely lifelike mounted owls, owl art from children around the world, skulls, eggs, life-size wingspans, cultural items from around the world, and more. Highly trained staff present one-hour programs each day at 11 AM and 2 PM.

Houston itself also features a Parade of Owls art tour with 12 public owl sculptures, and Barista’s Coffee House is completely decorated with owls.

The Owl Center is open 10 AM to 4 PM Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Regular admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military, $6 for ages 4-17, and children 3 and under and members are free. More information is available at www.internationalowlcenter.org or by contacting the Center at 507-896-OWLS (6957) or info@internationalowlcenter.org.