THROUGHOUT MY 15 YEARS of blogging, I’ve sold rights to dozens of images sourced from Minnesota Prairie Roots. My photos have published on websites, in tourism guides, on album covers, on packaging for a toy company, in magazines and newspapers, on business promotional materials, on signs and banners, on the cover of a nonprofit’s annual report, in books…
I’m especially proud of the three photos published in The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder—The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books by New York Times bestselling author Marta McDowell. I grew up only 25 miles from Walnut Grove, Wilder’s childhood home. Wilder inspired me as a writer and photographer with her detail-rich creative style. I’m also proud of my two Grant Wood-themed Iowa rest stop photos printed in the book Midwest Architecture Journeys. I have copies of both books.
Likewise, I had the honor of selling rights to photos displayed in a temporary Laura Ingalls Wilder exhibit at the American Writer’s Museum in Chicago, at the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul and at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Atherton Pictures purchased rights to a southwestern Minnesota farm site photo for a WWII video created for the museum. I’ve never visited any of the three museums.
Seldom do I see how my photos are used once I email the original high resolution digital images to the buyer. But this summer I had the joy of seeing my framed photos displayed in hallways of the new Minnesota Veterans Home in Bemidji. I was in town to bring my son, who lives in Boston and was in Bemidji for the international unicycling convention, home to Faribault. I knew I had to make time for a stop at the veterans home.
So in between Unicon 21 events, Randy and I headed to the vets home in hopes of seeing my six framed art prints. We found four, thanks to Maryhelen Chadwick, public affairs/volunteer coordinator at the Veterans Home. When we showed up unexpectedly, Chadwick graciously led us through the sprawling Town Center in search of my photos. There, in the hallways of this public space, which includes a multipurpose room, theater, club room, learning studio, family dining room, therapy gym and meditation room, we located four of my photos.
Curated by a St. Paul art company, the selected images are all veteran-themed. Oversized photos of veterans’ memorials in Faribault and Northfield anchor a hallway wall. Elsewhere in the public space are two more images shot in Faribault—a veteran playing taps at a Memorial Day program and a photo of items placed at the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. Chadwick later found my photos of sculptures at the county memorial in Faribault and the Rock County Veterans Memorial, Luverne, in the residential wing of the veterans home.
To see four of my six photos showcased in a public space where veterans, their families and friends, staff, and others can view my work is humbling. I am the daughter of a Korean War veteran. My dad, Elvern Kletscher, fought on the front lines in Korea as a foot soldier. He experienced the worst of war. The injuries. The killing. Atrocities so awful, so horrific that he was forever changed by his time in combat. He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (unrecognized at the time of his discharge). He endured much pain, heartache, trauma. Nightmares. Flashbacks.
But, in his later years of life, Dad found solace among other veterans in a support group through the Redwood County Veterans Service office. I remember how hard officials worked to secure the Purple Heart that Dad finally got 47 years after he was wounded on Heartbreak Ridge. I was there for that emotional public ceremony.
Today emotions swell again as I think of my framed photos hanging in the Minnesota Veterans Home—Bemidji. To me these are not just veterans-related images procured as art. They are a photographic “thank you” to every person who has served our country. Because of individuals like my dad, I live in a free country, in a democracy. I never take that for granted. To be able to express my gratitude via my photos is truly an honor, a joy and deeply meaningful.
NOTE: Maryhelen Chadwick kindly found and photographed my eagle/dove and soldier sculpture photos per my request after I visited the home. They hang in the Beltrami Household, one of four 18-room residential areas, a space I could not tour due to privacy.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What an honor to have your photographs grace those walls, Audrey. I enjoyed seeing where your photos have travelled! And you’re right to not take our democracy for granted. Grateful to your father and fellow veterans who preserve our freedom.
It truly is an honor to have my photos displayed, along with a lot of other amazing art, in the Minnesota Veterans Home, Bemidji. And, yes, thanks to so many who have served our country.
amazing photographs ! Thankful to your father who gave so much for all our freedom. My husband Ted also saw battle in Viet Nam and we continue to try to find those who might still be alive to confirm his injuries in battle for his Purple Heart!! I am touched by your photos and so happy they are displayed ! kg
Thank you, Kathy. The vets service officer in Redwood County worked tirelessly to find the records needed to validate my dad’s Purple Heart. I hope Ted can get the Purple Heart he deserves. Thank him for his time serving in Vietnam. 🙂
That is so neat! Your photos of history, are sharing history, and making history everywhere they go.
I really like the way you phrase that about history, Rose.
Thank You for the art work Audrey. I enjoyed Little House when it was on TV. Never knew I would find so much of a connection with it years after it went off the air. I just had 2 pictures framed where the frame shop had military veterans at work who saw the photos and wanted to know where these 2 photos had been hiding. While they framed it, the ship actually met its final destination – it was used as a bombing target. I am now looking to donate these to some institution that feels it appropriate to display them. I have volunteered to join Patriot Guard Riders. This 78 year old need to get his motorcycle fixed to start making the runs. You posted a picture of my cousin which was Army PFC Gordon Gunhus of Kenyon, MN who was KIA on Easter Sunday 1970. I thank you for that. I would like to hear some “musics” play Silver Taps at some event. Taps is emotional music on its own, however Silver Taps is hauntingly emotional on a whole new level. It is played by 2 buglers, with one playing off schedule much like an echo. Ever get a chance, listen to it. My WWII veteran Dad and an uncle would go on serve in or during Korea and then both would serve in Viet Nam not to mention the Cold War.
Gunny, thank you for your service and then continuing to honor veterans via the Patriot Guard Riders. You amaze me. It sounds like you come from a strong military family. Thank you to all in your family who served.
What a well-deserved honor, Audrey. So happy for you, and grateful for all veterans.
I love the eagle and the dove…where was that taken?
The eagle/dove sculptures are at the Rice County Veterans Memorial in Faribault, on the front lawn of the courthouse.
Audrey, all of this is so amazing ! I had no idea, you are even more talented than I already knew you were. how wonderful that must be to see your contributions.
Thank you, Beth. I’ve been able to share my work in a lot of places and for that I am grateful. To see my photos in the Minnesota Veterans Home, Bemidji, was truly a joy and an honor.
❤
what a wonderful thing to have your photography featured in such a prominent and meaningful way. Congratulations, my friend!
Thank you, Beth Ann!
Way to go Audrey !!!! What an honor for you to have your photos hung in these places for others to enjoy. Be proud for this a part of your legacy and that’s the reason why so many of us follow you blogs. Enjoy being a highlight in other people’s days. ❤️🤗❤️
Thank you so much, Roxy. Your kinds words make me happy. Thank you for appreciating my work, for following Minnesota Prairie Roots.
what an honor to have those beautiful pictures hanging in such a place. I’m so glad that the veterans have such a beautiful space as well
It is an honor. And, yes, this home is beautiful. The veterans deserve it.
Appreciate the depth of your emotion here. Being an accomplished photojournalist is a big responsibility in the era of AI. You’ve worked hard and lovingly at your craft, thank you. The Korean War was in our home as our first TV. I’m thankful your father found some relief.
Thank you, Sandra.
What an honor for you, Audrey, to have your photos displayed in the VA Home, the World War II Museum, and those books. Do you know where in the WWII Museum? I would really like to visit the Museum someday, but unfortunately have not had the opportunity to do so.
Paulette Jameson
If I remember correctly, the photo is in some video featuring a letter from a Minnesota soldier. The farm site I photographed is supposed to be representative of a farm during that time period. It’s been quite a number of years since I sold rights to this image. So my memory is a bit foggy on details.