I EXPECTED TO POP in and out in perhaps a half hour. But instead, I spent a good hour-plus filing through art at the Paradise Center for the Arts’ comeback Recycled Art Sale.
Nearly 10 years have passed since the Faribault arts center last solicited donations to sell to the art-loving public at discount prices as low as $1. As a thrifty art lover, I appreciate the opportunity to buy unique, affordable art while simultaneously supporting the Paradise.
On Wednesday afternoon, opening day of the four-day sale which ends with Saturday, June 20, hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the place buzzed with people looking for art to take home.
Hundreds and hundreds of pieces filled the three main gallery spaces and the smaller student gallery and hallway, plus the gathering space outside the galleries. So much art. Plus frames and art books and mirrors. At times I felt overwhelmed. But not enough that I stopped looking.
The main gallery features the original art of Faribault area artists, all of the artwork hung on walls or displayed on pedestals. This art is priced a bit higher, but still affordable for an original.
I saw several pieces by my friend Rhody Yule, a Faribault sign painter who also painted portraits, landscapes and the occasional still life. I helped coordinate his one and only art show at the Paradise in January 2011. Six months later, he died at age 92.
Memories of my friendship with Rhody and his creativity made me smile as I viewed his over-sized landscapes, his floral and several other paintings. Maybelle Stark’s pheasant art reminded me that I have her 1959 painting of the H.H. King Mill in my art stash at home.
And in one corner I noticed portraits created by former Faribault resident Dana Hanson. I watched her paint portraits of musicians during Thursday evening concerts in Faribault’s Central Park. Missing from the gallery display was her portrait of Bob Dylan, once filling the blank space next to Judy Garland and below Elvis. Her portrait of “Faribault’s Founding Fathers”—Alexander Faribault, Taopi and Bishop Henry Whipple—hangs in Buckham Memorial Library.
I bet many of the shoppers at the recycled art sale could share stories of other local artists. Some were artists themselves, shopping for artwork and for frames for their own art.
Others, like me, were simply searching for art to bring into our homes. From prints to originals, it was all there along with pottery, ceramics and more. Framed art on the floor leaning into each other. Art in boxes. Art on tables. Art on walls. Art on shelves. So much art.
I found five pieces for $10, all but one custom-framed. Three are portraits of African women, two with children. Another features an abstract depiction of “Indian Market,” colorful poster art from Santa Fe. I can’t pinpoint a particular reason why I chose this art. Perhaps it’s because I’m currently drawn to diversity and pops of color. These pieces differ from most of the art I own, art which I regularly rotate.
I also purchased a woodcut print (#25 of 50), “Navigating the Attachment Journey,” by northern Minnesota artist and children’s book illustrator Betsy Bowen. I’ve always appreciated her nature-themed art crafted today in her studio inside a former historic Lutheran church in Grand Marais.
On this day, the historic Paradise theater held a whole lot of art from a whole lot of artists. Among the hundreds of pieces, I found new-to-me art to which I felt connected. The walls of my home may not be gallery walls. But they are walls where I showcase art that speaks to me, moves me, brings me joy. And that, to me, should define our personal art choices.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a great opportunity to bring more art home! I am not very skilled at displaying art at home. Hanging pictures never seems to go the way I’d like. I’m impressed that you rotate your collection!
I was back at the sale this afternoon and picked up another small piece of art with African women. My daughter and the grandkids came from Lakeville to shop and Amber took home two pieces of art. I couldn’t believe how much art sold in 24 hours. I’d encourage anyone interested to shop sooner rather than later.
I would have loved to be there! It’s great your daughter and grandkids were able to come. Is Lakeville on Lake Marion?
I’m always happy to see my eldest daughter and the oldest two grandkids. You would have loved the art sale.
Another lovely post. Your appreciation for the world around you is inspiring. Thank you.
I appreciate your kind words, Kathy.
I was meandering through the emails amidst my inbox many of which contained news that is beyond upsetting. Then I was fortunate enough to come across your post of today. I never miss a post but have never chosen to leave a comment. This brought such a huge smile to my face and comfort to my troubled mind that I just had to leave a comment. I believe that Thomas Merton in his 1955 book “No Man Is an Island” puts it far better than I can : “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Thank-YOU!!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your reaction is one of the reasons I write. I want to touch people, to make a difference and for you today, to elicit a smile. That Merton quote seems absolutely fitting. Thanks for sharing this.
this is such a brilliant idea! i love the idea of selling donated art to others to enjoy. like you, i feel like i would probably have spend a lot of time there, looking at everything. the art sounds like there’s something for most anyone, (whatever draws each of us to it), and prices are very reasonable. this is such a win for all, and glad you found some new art for your house.
This sale is absolutely a win all around. My eldest drove down with the grands this afternoon to shop and she found two pieces. And I purchased more art, of a group of African women to pair with the other two smaller pieces I bought yesterday on the same subject. Lots of art went out the doors in 24 hours.
We want to go to this sale. We couldn’t get there Wednesday night or today.. We’ll see what’s left tomorrow. We donated some art pieces.
Thanks for donating. The art is getting picked over, but still enough left for shopping. I found another piece today and Amber bought two. Isaac got a free map poster and Izzy got a crocheted bee. We all left happy.
This is a brilliant idea! I am surrounded by artists here in Connestee Falls— we have an art league and many of my friends are artists. Our clubhouse rotates their work on their walls for sale and we just had a successful home studio tour. It is always fun to have art on our walls from people we know.
I love reading about your active arts community.