October is an exciting month for art and history enthusiasts in Fergus Falls, marking National Museum and Gallery Month! To celebrate, four local institutions have joined forces to create a Museums & Galleries Passport, offering a unique opportunity for both community members and visitors to engage with our rich cultural landscape. This initiative is generously sponsored by Mabel Murphy’s. We spoke with Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Artist Career Consultant at Springboard for the Arts and Gallery Curator at Lake Region Arts Council, to learn more about this exciting program.
What is the Museums & Galleries Passport?
Naomi explains, “The Museums & Galleries Passport invites community members and visitors to explore various exhibitions and activities at our local museums and galleries. It’s a collaborative effort involving the Otter Cove Children’s Museum, Lake Region Arts Council, Otter Tail Historical Society Museum, and Kaddatz Galleries.”
Visitors can pick up their passports starting October 1st at any of the four locations. Each venue has unique events throughout the month, and by participating, visitors can collect stamps in their passports.
What can people expect this October?
Naomi is enthusiastic about the range of activities available. Here’s what each institution has planned:
- Otter Cove Children’s Museum
- October 5: Minnesota Mosaics Workshop with Lisa Arnold, 1–3 PM
- October 12: Firefighter Visit for Fire Safety Week, 10 AM & 2 PM
- October 15: Sensory Friendly Playtime, 5–7 PM
- October 20: Free Admission Day, 9 AM–12 PM
- October 30: Halloween at the Booseum, 9 AM–6 PM
- Lake Region Arts Council
- October 7: Exhibition Opening—Surreal Visions featuring juried multi-artists
- October 8: Opening Reception, 5:30–7 PM, with guest speaker Chris Schuelke at 6 PM
- Otter Tail Historical Society Museum
- October 19: Fergus Falls State Hospital Cemetery and Poor Farm Cemetery Tour, 11 AM
- October 25: Haunted Museum Stories, 2 PM, 5 PM & 7 PM
- Exhibitions:
- Resorts of Otter Tail County
- A Community Treasure: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Steve Jaenisch
- Kaddatz Galleries
- Youth Classes:
- Spooktacular Prints led by Naomi Schliesman
- Pumpkin Still Life Painting led by Rebecca Krueger
- October 17: Poetry Reading + Book Launch of Ordinary Omens by LuAnn Bjerken, 5–7 PM
- Exhibitions:
- Scott Gunvaldson in the Main Gallery
- A Watercolor Group Exhibition at Studio K
- Youth Classes:
What makes this initiative special?
Naomi emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the event: “This initiative is about bringing the community and visitors together. We want families, kids, elders, and anyone visiting our area to engage with our local culture. Each event has been designed to appeal to a broad audience.”
Participants who collect stamps from all four locations by the end of the month can enter a drawing for exciting prizes, including a $50 gift certificate from Mabel Murphy’s, a family membership to the Ottertail County Historical Society, and even a career consultation with Naomi herself.
How can people get involved?
“Simply visit any of the four locations to pick up your passport,” Naomi says. “We encourage everyone—locals and visitors alike—to attend the events and engage with the local arts community. Whether you're attending a poetry reading at Kaddatz Galleries or joining the haunted stories tour at the Otter Tail Historical Society, there’s something for everyone.”
As October unfolds, make sure to take part in this unique opportunity to explore the vibrant museums and galleries of Fergus Falls. With activities starting as early as October 5th and ongoing throughout the month, grab your passport and embark on an artistic adventure!
For more details on the events, visit the participating locations or check out the Visit Fergus Falls website. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our thriving arts and museum community this October!