April 3-June 8, 2025
Featuring artists Evan Abrahamson, Ashley Dull and Michele Yates, this show connects nature and a sense of place which each artist has chosen to interpret in vastly different ways! All of us have places in nature that may invoke memories, give us comfort or create longing and nostalgia. The painters in this show provide unique visual expressions and perceptions as they incorporate a variety of techniques and sites. At the same time, each one opens a window to the natural world that is sure to inspire and excite the viewer.
Cost: Included with general daily admission, which is free for members and ages 15 and younger and $20-$25 for non-members ages 16 and older. Indigenous peoples receive waived general daily admission to the Arboretum when making a reservation by calling 612-301-6775.
About the Artists
Evan Abrahamson is an artist whose practice engages deeply with themes of impermanence and the interplay between chance and control. Trained at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he earned the prestigious Presidential Scholarship among other honors, he developed a foundation of technical precision and conceptual depth. His paintings transcend conventional artistic boundaries, examining the transient nature of life and perception. Each work balances meticulous technique with spontaneity, yielding outcomes shaped by the tension between order and unpredictability. Recognized in both private and public collections, his pieces invite the observer to confront the fleeting nature of existence and the elusive quality of meaning. Abrahamson’s canvases embody a dialogue between the known and the unknown, urging a reflection on control and chance that resonates with the complexities of human experience. Through his exhibitions, he continues to expand artistic horizons, creating works that function as meditative spaces, provoking thoughtful inquiry into time, reality, and meaning in a world constantly in flux.
My light-filled oil paintings reflect my deep love for humanity and this beautiful Earth we call home. My prayer is when you view my paintings, that you may hear the call of beauty on your life, working through you to be a force for good in this world.
May the hidden wisdom and ever-glowing light that I paint on canvas ignite the magic within you and evoke your indwelling spirit, re-connecting the Divine presence of love into your heart and inviting you into a world of limitless possibilities.
Each painting of mine in this “Sense of Place” exhibit is inspired from the rolling acres of beauty and seasonal gardens here at the Arb, along with a few paintings of my own home flower gardens which were heavily inspired by the Arb's incredible horticulturist, Duane Otto!
Soon after becoming a mom 11 years ago, The Arboretum quickly became my favorite place to visit. As I grew into my new identity of motherhood, the unparalleled beauty and peace The Arb offered always found a way to connect me back to my truest self, providing nourishment for my soul and grounding me with connection and joy.
I hope each of these paintings can do that for you, too. In each season of life, there is a new wisdom and beauty offered, as it is in each season here at the Arb! In whatever season you may find yourself in at the moment, may the great spirit of love that encompasses this place and that dwells within each painting of mine, be with you now, guiding you along your beautiful journey forward.
French-born and now living in Minnesota, I am a contemporary painter whose work is steeped in color and texture. My paintings are a response to my immediate surroundings and also to memories and emotional responses to my birthplace. I am most often inspired by the natural world.
It is my hope that my paintings will inspire wonder at our shared stardust, and remind you to notice the beauty in the every day, as well as reflect on the layers of your personal journeys.