Billy, a Hmong American children's illustrator, and Jay Lent, a digital illustrator, presented their upcoming exhibition "Perspective Memories" to the council as an informational presentation. The show will be hosted at the Confluence Gallery in partnership with the Wildlife Refuge.

Both artists drew inspiration from their personal connections to nature and Minnesota's outdoors. Billy explained that growing up in Cage Grove shaped his artistic vision. "I enjoy nature cuz you know I was raised in Cage Grove so in Cage Grove now I'm always going hiking going for walks and there's a lot of beautiful sceneries of just nature itself," he said, noting that the peaceful landscapes inspired his work.

Jay Lent's focus centers on wildlife and the natural world. "I mainly draw things from the natural world, animals, wildlife," he said, adding that his post-college work exploring nature led him to pursue conservation interests. The artists emphasized that their complementary styles tell interconnected stories about outdoor appreciation and childhood experiences.

The pair worked collaboratively to curate the exhibition, ensuring their work aligned with the missions of both the Confluence Gallery and the Wildlife Refuge. "Billy and I worked really hard curating what we wanted in this exhibition and how it would kind of show our childhood memories and our appreciation for the outdoors while meshing the themes and mission for the Confluence Gallery and the Wildlife Refuge," Lent explained.

The presentation was informational in nature, with no formal vote required. The exhibition represents a partnership between local artists and community institutions focused on celebrating Minnesota's natural heritage and personal connections to the outdoors.