We are beyond thankful for the support from our regional businesses that help bring art to our communities.
The online viewing of this exhibition is sponsored by:

“Bearing Witness”
J Arthur Anderson: Photojournalism
April 2022 | The Cultural Centre | Photojournalism
The nation has experienced a number of significant and controversial events in the recent past, including those related to the environment, police involved shootings, COVID-19 and national elections. This gallery presentation shows J. Arthur Anderson’s on going attempt to document history as it unfolds.
J. Arthur’s images cover the rise of ObamaCare; the anti-Dakota Access and Line 3 pipeline protests; demonstrations arising out of police shootings such as George Floyd and Daunte Wright; and protests to protect the rights of women, to end gun violence, resistance to the COVID-19 mandates and vaccinations and efforts to oppose the results of the 2020 election.
A portion of the exhibit will honor Clyde Bellecourt, who passed recently. Clyde, known as Nee-gon-we-way we-dun, which means “Thunder Before the Storm,” was one of the founders of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Founded in 1968, AIM has succeeded in spotlighting police harassment, protecting treaties rights, expanding economic opportunities, promoting Native culture and eliminating racist and offensive sports mascots.
A small sampling of
Featured Work



Clyde H. Bellecourt | Neegon-we-wandon | Thunder Before the Storm
An enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, Clyde was a co-founder of the American Indian Movement (1968). A civil rights activist, his activities were done in association with Dennis Banks, Eddie Benton-Banai, Leonard Crow Dog, George Mitchell, and Russell and Bill Means. His older brother, the late Vernon Bellecourt, was also active in the movement. He was involved with the following:
Co-Founder of the American Indian Movement, Midewiwin Three Fires Society, Gathering of the Sacred Pipe Sundance, Wounded Knee Occupation (1973), Trail of Broken Treaties, Bureau of Indian Affairs Takeover, Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, International Indian Treaty Councel, National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media, Heart of the Earth Survival School, Legal Rights Center, Elaine M. Stately Peacemaker Center for Indian Youth, AIM Patrol, MIGIZI Communications, Inc., Native American Community Clinic, Women of Nations Eagle Nest Shelter, Board of American Indian OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center), Minneapolis Police Community Relations Council

J. Arthur Anderson | Photojournalist
An avid photographer for the past 35 years J. Arthur’s focus has mostly been upon wildlife and nature. His images have appeared in the Star Tribune, Minnesota Birding, and on PBS; and have been used for educational purposes by the National Park Service as well as other state and federal government agencies. He was recognized by the National Audubon Society in their top 100 bird photography competition and received nature photography image of the year in the North Dakota Outdoors Magazine. His work appeared in five annual editions of Capture Minnesota and four years at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Building, also receiving the Gordon Parks award for socially impactful photojournalism.
Over the past 10 years, J. Arthur’s interests have moved towards community photography and photojournalism. He worked on the Powderhorn365 project which focused upon documenting the Powderhorn Neighborhood each and every day of the year. He was employed by REI to be their Outdoor Nature Photography Instructor. And, he worked with the American Indian Movement to document their activities and captured many significant news events of the recent past.
EXPERIENCE MORE AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE
Celeste Suter Exhibition - February 2023
Fiber Art | "Mystical Mandala"
Justin Beck Exhibition - March 2023
Photography
Youth Art Classes Begin - March 2023
Perspective Classes begin and registration for Youth Art Camp continues, visit here for more information.
Bradley Donner Exhibition- April 2023
Wildlife Painting
Earth Day Celebration - April 22, 2023
Join us for creative activities in celebration of Earth Day! More info to come.
Bonnie Lipinski Smith Exhibtion - May 2023
Watercolor & Color Pencil
Farmers and Artisan Market Opens - May 31st, 2023
Join us from 4-7pm for the opening day of the 2023 Market Season!
Adam and Jessica Preuss - June 2023
Andy Kahmann Exhibition & The Second Coming of Kahmanns - July 2023
Andy Kahmann's Letterpress Printing | Patsy Kahmann Book Signing & Reading | Karl Kahmann Book Reading | Jim Kahmann "My Life in Baseball" Book Reading
ACTS & MBW Adult Day Services Exhibition - August 2023
Multi Media Exhibition
Artisan & Farmers Market Finale - August 30, 2023
Tales from the Tall Grass Prairie Writers Composition Readings | Outdoor Market Art Exhibition | Movie Night after the Market
Yellowstone Trail Quilters Exhibition - September 2023
Yellowstone Trail Sociability Run will also take place this month.
Bill van der Hagen Exhibition- October 2023
Photography | Birds and Waterfowl
David Adams Exhibition- November 2023
Watercolor
The Old Fashioned Christmas Market- December 1, 2023
Local gift vendors, Santa, kids activities, horse drawn wagon rides, campfire and warm beverages....like a Hallmark movie in real life.
Address
640 Dogwood Avenue P.O. Box 434
Bird Island, MN 55310
(320) 365-1011
birdislandculture@gmail.com
Gallery Hours
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Open on Saturdays by request.
Follow


This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.