In Ely, Minnesota, the arts aren’t an afterthought—they are infrastructure. From rehearsal halls to mural-covered streets, creativity is woven into the very fabric of our rural identity. This week, we celebrate how local stories, shared stages, and painted walls continue to shape who we are and who we’re becoming.

In northeastern Minnesota, where 64.3% of adults with mental health needs go untreated, creative programs are more than enrichment—they are lifelines. At NLAA, we've seen firsthand how the arts reduce isolation, build resilience, and create safe spaces for healing. As federal arts funding faces new threats, support for local programs like Art Lives Here is more urgent than ever. Art isn't extra. It's essential.

Refugia is a new felt tapestry series by Minnesota fiber artist Kristen Anderson, exploring seasonal ponds as metaphors for ecological and cognitive resilience. Using Norwegian and local wool, and guided by scientific collaboration, Anderson’s work blends wet-felting, storytelling, and environmental advocacy. On view May 1–June 30, 2025 at the Ely Area Community Hub, presented by NLAA.