Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Encouraging & embracing creativity this holiday season December 10, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 6:02 AM
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Gifts for the creative grandson. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

WHEN MY ELDEST DAUGHTER sent her children’s Christmas gift wish lists to me, I wasn’t surprised to find several art-related items on first grader Isaac’s list. He loves creating. And to create, he needs supplies. So Isaac asked for giant construction paper, a Paint by Sticker book, a pixel art set and Sharpie markers, specifically a grey marker. Why grey? I have no idea. He’s getting all of those from Randy and me.

One year Isaac wanted a ream of paper for Christmas. He blew through the 500 sheets we gave him in several months. Not only does my grandson create art, but he also solves math problems far beyond what a six-year-old should be capable of doing and recently proclaimed, “I love to read!”

I’m not sharing this to be a boastful grandma. Rather, I want to emphasize the importance of encouraging children in their interests. That builds confidence and shows that we support and care about them and their passions.

A Little Golden Book Journal, among several crafted by recycler artist Rhonda Norgaard and for sale at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

My 9-year-old granddaughter, who really really loves to read, and write, declared on her first day of fourth grade that she wants to become an author. That could change. But for now, Izzy embraces creativity through writing, singing and playing piano. And I enthusiastically encourage her.

Among the many gifts for sale at the Paradise Center for the Arts is a Paradise membership. Members get discounted ticket prices among other benefits. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

In Faribault, I am an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, centered at the Paradise Center for the Arts. This downtown hub of creativity brings the visual and performing arts to my community via concerts, theatre, comedy, gallery shows, art classes and more.

Acrylic paintings by Adele Beals. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

And now, during the holiday season, 32 artists are showcasing and selling their art at the annual Holly Days Sale. I recently popped into the Paradise to peruse the artsy offerings ranging from pottery to paintings, stained glass, fiber art, mittens, jewelry, metalwork, woodwork, journals, photography, handbags and more. This is one-of-a-kind merchandise crafted with creative minds and hands by Minnesota artists.

Gail Kielmeyer crafted this doll, aprons and more, tagged as Minnesota Made. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Handmade goods fill the main gallery and two smaller galleries for the Holly Days Sale. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)
Paula Person crafts cellphone-sized and other bags and clutches for her business, notebagz. Her products are made from recycled publications. She also does custom work. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

I can’t help but wonder how many of these artists, as young children like my grandchildren, loved to create. Perhaps a grandmother taught them to sew. Perhaps they were fascinated by their grandfather’s abilities to build anything with wood. Perhaps an aunt painted. Perhaps their parents knitted or welded or journaled. Perhaps a teacher encouraged them in their creativity.

Laura O’Connor of Cuddled Again rescues and restores gently-used stuffies for resale. A portion of the proceeds go to HOPE Center in Faribault. To the right is Sandra Sargent’s stained glass art created at Bending Sunlight Glassworks. She teaches at the Paradise and also has a studio across the street in the Bachrach building. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Whatever the reasons individuals choose to make art really doesn’t matter, although it is interesting to hear backstories. If they’re like me, they create because they have to and can’t imagine their lives without art. No one expects to get rich in the arts, thus the term “starving artists.” Writing and photography are, for me, passions that earn me minimal income. Yet, I press on with my creative endeavors.

Oil on canvas nature scenes painted by Joannie Johnson. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

Likewise all those artists selling their goods at the Holly Days Sale clearly love creating and sharing their artwork with others. I am grateful to them and to all creatives, and to arts centers like the Paradise, for enriching our communities through the arts. Perhaps some day I will see my grandson’s art in a gallery and my granddaughter’s book on a bookstore shelf. Whatever happens, I hope they will always appreciate and embrace creativity.

Gail Kielmeyer’s handcrafted Minnesota Made mittens. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo December 2025)

FYI: The Holly Days Sale continues at the Paradise from noon-5 pm Wednesday-Friday, from 10 am-2 pm Saturdays and extended hours from 10 am-5 pm December 20.

The Paradise is hosting the monthly Faribault City Council Chat at 6 pm Wednesday, December 10, as part of the city’s community engagement efforts.

The Paradise Community Theatre is currently performing “The Sound of Music” at the Paradise. Remaining performances are set for 7:30 pm December 11 and 12 and 2 pm December 13 and 14. Tickets are selling quickly, so reserve yours now.

© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Artwork photographed with permission of the Paradise Center for the Arts

 

Two of us, outside our comfort zones June 21, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 10:52 AM
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Deer at River Bend Nature Center, Faribault. Photo used for illustration only. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo April 2024)

OH, DEER, I thought to myself Thursday evening. And then about an hour later, I thought, oh, dear.

What prompted this deer/dear thinking? First, an actual deer running through my neighborhood. And then an attempt to try a new art form at a community event.

First the deer. Shortly after 5 p.m., I noticed a rather long-legged dog running down the middle of the side street alongside my house. I live on a corner lot. I quickly realized this was not a canine, but rather a deer. This neighborhood deer spotting was a first in 40 years of living at this location.

The large deer cut across the corner of my neighbor’s yard before dashing into busy Willow Street during rush hour. And, yes, there is rush hour traffic in the early morning and then when folks are on their way home from work. Go ahead and laugh if you live in a metro area.

Thankfully, drivers were alert enough to slow down and give the deer some space. It continued northbound, right along the center line, until I lost sight of the animal. It apparently escaped unscathed (perhaps to the nearby woods along the river) as I did not see roadkill while en route to my “oh, dear” moment. I can only imagine how thankful that deer was to return to his natural habitat.

Grand Rapids-based Adessa & The Beat performs Thursday evening in the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 2024)

An hour later I arrived at the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour for free hands-on art activities offered by the Paradise Center for the Arts as part of the weekly summertime Concerts in the Park series. Due to endless rain, the arts event and concert were moved from the park across the street to the Cathedral.

Rhonda Norgaard’s book art previously displayed at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo April 2024)

Once there, I had art choices: drawing, felting, working on a collaborative project or “making a book.” I heard the word “book” and I was in. Except it wasn’t creating a book, but rather learning basics of design for a mini-book. After watching for a moment, I grabbed a red folding chair and settled onto a corner of the crowded table. Teaching artist Rhonda Norgaard handed me a thick black Sharpie and scraps of colorful paper. At that moment, I didn’t quite grasp the concept of what I should be doing.

I should pause here to admit that my confidence level was about zero. My friend Paula drew a lovely free-hand bird and tree on a colorful bookmark-size paper scrap. Kids were bent over their papers, too, happily creating. Me? This was not my wheelhouse. I create art with words and my camera, not with scraps from expired calendars, Sharpies and gel pens.

But, by then I was semi-committed to giving this unfamiliar art form a try. I began outlining flowers in black, attempting to make this my own. It looked OK. Then I added words, because, well, it needed words and I am a writer. I added plant, hope, bloom. I would later learn that, like me, hope is Rhonda’s favorite word.

I was hearing encouraging words from Rhonda and from others. When I had done all I could with the black Sharpie, I stepped away to check on my husband’s progress. He was drawing with charcoal pencils. Definitely not my wheelhouse.

The art I created from a scrap calendar page, a black Sharpie and a white gel pen. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 2024)

Back at Rhonda’s station, a white gel pen was finally available for my use. As white flowed from the fine tip of the pen, I began feeling more confident. I liked what I saw, how the white added to the design. Rhonda admitted that she wanted to suggest I outline in white, but thought I might be offended. Nope, not offended. I was here to learn.

As I worked, I commented how soothing this was. Relaxing, added Rhonda. I’d done it—stepped outside of my creative comfort zone. Already, I’m imagining picking up gel pens and Sharpies and creating greeting cards using recycled paper. Now I just need some expired paper calendars…

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling