Circle of Friends exhibition honors local artists, strengthens community arts

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center opened In the Gallery: Circle of Friends on December 2, and the exhibition continues through December 31, 2025. The month long show honors former Artistic Director Cheryl Bannes and features mixed media including metalwork, painting, collage, prints and ceramics by Cheryl Bannes, Kent Scheer, Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy, Dawn Rossbach, Laura Grisamore and Brad Wegscheid. An artist reception was held on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 3 PM.

The exhibition operates as both a showcase of individual practice and a celebration of a local creative network. By gathering established and emerging artists linked to Bannes, the show highlights mentorship, collaboration and the informal structures that sustain a community arts ecosystem in Otter Tail County. For local artists it is an opportunity for visibility, portfolio development and strengthened ties to a regional audience.

Public health implications are immediate and practical. The Cultural Center offers free admission, lowering financial barriers for residents who may face economic or transportation challenges especially during the holiday season. Community arts participation supports mental well being and reduces social isolation by creating shared experiences, which is particularly relevant in winter months when loneliness can increase. Local cultural programming also contributes to social cohesion, a social determinant of health that influences outcomes from stress to chronic disease management.

The center hosts many community arts events and ongoing programming, positioning it as a local hub for creativity and belonging. Such institutions serve an equity function by providing accessible cultural resources to diverse populations, including older adults and families with limited means. Sustaining that role requires continued public and philanthropic support, and attention from local policy makers who weigh budgets and community services.

Residents interested in viewing the exhibition may attend the show through the final day on December 31, with no admission fee. For Otter Tail County the Circle of Friends exhibition is more than an arts listing, it is a reminder that public investment in accessible culture can yield community level benefits for health, civic life and local identity.