Saint Peter – Observation, intuition and magic moments in the midst of daily life are central themes of A Retrospective of Works by Brad Widness and Ann Kronlokken Widness, a new exhibition on display June 5 through July 25 at the Arts Center of Saint Peter.

Brad Widness is a nationally acclaimed printmaker and draughtsman based in North Mankato. His late wife Ann Kronlokken Widness (1961-2022) was a prolific artist in the areas of painting, drawing, design and fiber arts. The retrospective exhibition showcases the emotional precision and subtlety common to both of their bodies of work.

“The work in this show…was done in the spirit of exploration and experimentation,” says Brad Widness in his artist statement. “Most pieces began as simple observations from daily life filtered through the mind’s eye and recorded in a sketchbook. Later revisited in a spirit of play, interactions between surface and media, color and line further developed the forms into more inviting and perhaps even magical spaces.”

Concurrently, the Arts Center’s Minnesota Avenue window gallery will feature steel sculpture by Andy Reeves of Mankato.

A free public reception celebrating both exhibitions will take place on Friday, June 5, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be available, and Widness and Reeves will deliver brief remarks.

The Arts Center is open to the public five days per week: Wednesdays- Fridays 1:00-5:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 1:00-5:00 p.m.

These activities are made possible through grants from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.