Pair Of Galleries Set To Open In Rumriver's Jan Johansen Gallery

Pair Of Galleries Set To Open In Rumriver's Jan Johansen Gallery

A pair of new galleries are set to open in Anoka in the Rumriver Art Center’s Jan Johansen Gallery on Saturday, July 12, running through Aug. 2.

Art in Community

The Jan Johansen Gallery of Rumriver Art Center is set to present the Rum River Open Studio Artists gallery show “Art In Community.”

The opening reception is on Saturday, July 12 from 2-4 p.m. Individuals are also invited to meet some of the artists on Monday, July 14 from 1-3 p.m.; Wednesday, July 16 from 10 a.m.-noon; and Friday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-noon. All events are at Rumriver Art Center and free to attend.

The Rum River Open Studio Artists is a drawing and painting community based out of the Rumriver Art Center in Anoka. The group grew from students in structured classes to a mix of artists, practicing art together.

The Rum River Open Studio Artists come from a variety of backgrounds and experience and all have a passion for creating. This show features work from the members Dianne Novak, Greg Gilborn, Holly Willis, Mark Sawyer, Virginia Sanderson, William Ohland, Linda Boyer, Donna Turner and Benjamin Suehler.

Doing art in community strengthens each member’s talent and ability to share their artistic eye. This gallery show includes new and past works, showing a wide range of mediums and styles. They have also collaborated on a project, where each artist presents their version of the sailing ship, Hjordis, on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota.

“Our group is honored to include a memorial to our mentor, Paul T. Boecher, and fellow member, Mona Hughes, both of whom passed in early 2025,” Dianne Novak said. “Paul founded and taught our group for over eight years, and his spirit of creativity and encouragement continues to impact our work and community today. Mona was an expressive artist and an integral part of our group each week. We’re honored to show some of their work alongside our own pieces in this show.”

The group is always open and welcoming to fellow artists looking to grow their practice with others, meeting weekly on Wednesday mornings at the Rumriver Art Center or outdoors during the summer around the Anoka area. To join, please visit www.rumriverart.com.

Whimsy, Nature, and Elegance

“Whimsy, Nature, and Elegance” by artist Julie Krahenbuhl also is set to open in the Jan Johansen Gallery. The opening reception is Saturday, July 12 from 2-4 p.m. Krahenbuhl will be providing an artist talk on Friday, July 18 from 3-4 p.m. Both events are free to attend.

Krahenbuhl is a wire-wrap jewelry artist working with semi-precious stones, pure copper and sterling silver wire. Her handmade pieces range from complex to simple and swirly. She never uses any kind of adhesives, soldering or heat of any kind. Some of her inspiration comes from nature and she uses the metal wires to create leaves, trees and even mountains against the backdrop of a beautiful stone. Other times just creating something elegant is desirable.

While she pulls from her experience as a painter to help with balance, color choices and overall aesthetic, she generally allows the piece to speak to her and just goes with the flow.

Above all, creating is how she keeps her sanity, and a bit of her heart is built into each piece. The journey is for her, the end result is for you.

“When I make jewelry, I like to think of a place where whimsy meets elegance,” Krahenbuhl said.

SOURCE: Hometown Source