[0:00] (bright gentle music) [0:03] - So today, we're located [0:04] at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center [0:06] for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. [0:08] The Confluence Gallery is an extension of the Refuge. [0:11] One of our missions here with the Confluence Gallery [0:13] is to connect people with art through nature. [0:16] This art is inspired by the wildlife that we have here, [0:19] and that are spread across our communities [0:21] in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. [0:23] - We support the Confluence Gallery [0:25] and other programs at the refuge [0:27] to make the Refuge Visitor Center [0:29] a welcoming place for everyone. [0:31] The Confluence Gallery at the refuge [0:33] is a unique museum in the Metro Area. [0:35] It is one of the few museums in the Twin Cities Metro Area [0:38] that is free to the public. [0:40] - Artistry Theater and Visual Arts has been curating the art [0:43] for the Confluence Gallery since 2021. [0:45] Artistry is really focused on [0:47] bringing artists and audiences together [0:49] in all the ways we can here in Bloomington, [0:51] so a partnership with the Refuge is just a dream, [0:55] because we get to expand how we do that, [0:57] and we get to support artists in new ways. [1:00] - [Oscar] Since expanding with artistry, [1:02] we've been able to bring in artists with unique crafts, [1:05] so artists that have come in with focus on light pollution, [1:08] artists that have come in with a focus on plastic pollution. [1:11] We've also had artists come in [1:12] that have created work through smoke, [1:15] as well as creating their paintings using natural dyes [1:17] made from native wildflowers. [1:19] So, to have these artists come in [1:21] with different mediums, different craftsmanship, [1:23] it showcases the variety of ways [1:25] we can interact with nature, [1:27] as well as the importance of having [1:29] so many different outlets [1:31] to connect with nature through art. [1:33] - For this gallery specifically, [1:35] all of our artists are from the state of Minnesota. [1:37] They could be anywhere from the state. [1:38] One thing I really love about the artists [1:40] specifically in Minnesota is the way [1:42] they are connected to nature. [1:44] Throughout every region, [1:45] we have artists from everywhere [1:46] from Duluth and the North Shore [1:47] to right here in Bloomington [1:49] who will be exhibiting in the Confluence Gallery, [1:52] and to see their different ways they look at nature [1:55] and bring the audience in to that new interpretation [1:57] is something that I have just found very unique [1:59] to Minnesota artists that I've really loved working with. [2:03] - [Kelli] I think what's also interesting [2:04] about having the art here is [2:06] that we're expanding people's minds. [2:08] So, people come because they're excited about nature, [2:11] they're excited to learn about conservation, [2:13] but they're like, [2:14] "Oh, another way I can impact this world for nature, [2:18] "for conservation is through art." [2:20] - [Oscar] The Confluence Gallery has the opportunity [2:22] to share many different stories, [2:23] and these stories will hopefully, in turn, [2:25] inspire people to get into conservation [2:28] and to help be stewards of these lands. [2:30] The Bloomington Education [2:31] and Visitor Center is located at the end [2:33] of American Boulevard East. [2:34] We're located very close to the Mall of America [2:37] and the airport as well. [2:38] The Confluence Gallery is located within our visitor center, [2:41] and it has its own space dedicated to it. [2:44] We have new exhibits in the Confluence Gallery [2:46] all year round and so we always invite people [2:48] to continually come back to see what's new [2:50] and to see the different takes on art [2:52] from local artists here. [2:55] - [Jessica] For more information on Artistry [2:56] and art different art galleries, [2:58] whether it's the Confluence [2:59] or other galleries back [3:00] at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, [3:02] you can go to artistrymn.org. [3:04] (bright music)