Regional Arts

2024 artists, above, are among those recognized in Root River Current's series exploring the arts and artists in the greater Root River Valley region. (Root River Current photos)

Celebrating Regional Arts & Artists!

Root River Current recognized its 2024 featured artists at a community celebration November 9th at the Chatfield Center for the Arts.

A well-loved 1985 Ford F250 diesel truck waiting for its next task. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay | Setbacks Are the Norm on My Small Farm

Greg Schieber shares the challenges of owning and maintaining a farm truck.

Inspired by nature, artist Rita LeDuc prefers painting with traditional oil paints. (All images courtesy of Rita and Paul LeDuc)

Paint Where We Live, Live Where We Paint

Delia Bell introduces us to Fillmore County artists Rita and Paul LeDuc whose works are on display in the gallery at Chatfield Center for the Arts through December.

Trailers lined up to receive their boats along the Mississippi River in late October. (Photo by John Gaddo)

Poetry | Boat Trailer Blues

Poetry by Ken Lubinski.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Each spring Maynard Underbakke, at right, would welcome students to tour his tree farm nursery. Each student was given a spruce seedling to plant at their home. (Photo submitted by Bonita Underbakke)</span>

Essay | Father Was Born Capable

Bonita Underbakke recounts the memory of Burger Night and a Minnesota snowstorm with her father.

Poetry | Reflections by Gavin

Southern Minnesota poet Larry Gavin is inspired by his Root River fishing experiences.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Liz at her shop workbench working on a crown repair. (Photos for this article were provided by Liz Bucheit)</span>

Profile | Liz Bucheit: Creating a Lifetime of Art

Steve Harris explores the art of jewelry with Liz Bucheit of Crown Trout Jewelry.

Diane Knight is pictured in front of a wall of Doodles – intricate pen and ink designs that she creates. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Profile | The University of Diane

John Torgrimson visits with Fillmore County artist and author Diane Knight.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Bob Bovee’s career as a musician in old-time music stretches back 53 years and counting. (Photo submitted by Bob Bovee)</span>

Profile | Have Guitar, Will Travel: Bob Bovee’s Musical Journey

Steve Harris visits with Houston County old-time music and barn dance legend, Bob Bovee.

Grand Champion honey at the Fillmore County Fair. (All photos by Renee Bergstrom)

A Grand Champion Day at the Fair

Photographer Renée Bergstrom captures “a day at the fair”, a photo essay from the 2024 Fillmore County Fair.

A field of Queen Anne's Lace. (Photo by Delia Bell)

Poetry | Biennial Beauty, Black Holes & Insomnia

Artist Delia Bell channels her creative energy into words: check out her new poetry.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">A rolling coral reef ready to go on stage. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)</span>

Behind the Scenes and Under the Sea

We go backstage with Laurie Byrne at a Wits’ End Theatre production in Chatfield.

Opportunity

Building Community Through Storytelling