Meet Jane Dandron-Holtz:
Our 2026 Creative Spirit of the North
Jane’s work often engages with trauma, joy, and the body through abstract forms. She hopes viewers see themselves in the pieces once they leave her hands. “Everyone is trying to feel less alone in their experiences,” she says, “so I want even my simplest pieces to create islands of safety and quiet joy.”
Read more about how motherhood and confidence earned quietly can be acknowledged without apology.shaped her art.
Meet Rachael Pace:
Our 2025 Creative Spirit of the North
“The wilderness taught me resilience—and gave me a story to tell,” says artist Rachael Pace. From desert expeditions to the shores of the Boundary Waters, her journey is a testament to creativity’s power to connect us to nature—and each other. Named this year’s Creative Spirit of the North, Pace’s work and story are nothing short of inspiring.
Read more about how wilderness shaped her art—and how she’s shaping her community.
Uplift Emerging Artists and Strengthen the Arts in Our Region
We invite you to invest the Creative Spirit of the North award, a prestigious initiative that celebrates and empowers the rising visual artists of our community. This award is more than just recognition; it’s a transformative opportunity that provides an emerging artist with a year-long studio residency, financial support, and the chance to share their work with a wider audience. It’s an investment in the future of our local arts scene and the cultural vibrancy of Ely, MN. Your donation plays a crucial role in making this vision a reality.
Join us in this meaningful journey. By donating, you are helping to uplift talented artists, enrich our community, and create a lasting impact on the arts in our region. Click the button below to contribute and be part of this transformative experience. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of artists and the cultural landscape we all cherish.
Thank you for your unwavering support!