How a Neighborhood Collaboration Became a Celebration of Creative Community
Sometimes the best ideas begin close to home.
Back in 2024, I realized that several of us — working artists here in the Evansville area — were each trying to draw visitors out to our studios. We’re all within a few minutes of each other, but Evansville sits right between two regional art hubs: Alexandria to the east and Battle Lake to the north. That makes us easy to miss.
So I thought, why not work together?
A Spark of Collaboration
That simple idea — to collaborate rather than compete — became the spark for Four Points of Light, a group exhibition now showing at Creative Flow Art Center in Fridley.
Over the past two summers, we’ve hosted a series of coordinated studio open houses, welcoming visitors and supporting one another’s creative goals. Along the way, we discovered that while our mediums and styles differ widely, we share a common passion: bringing light into the world through art. What began as a neighborhood experiment evolved into a genuine creative alliance — one that continues to grow and inspire new opportunities.
When the chance arose to exhibit together at Creative Flow, we decided to shape the show around that shared theme — light — as both subject and metaphor.
Four Artists, Four Approaches
Each of us offers a unique interpretation of light — as symbol, as energy, and as inspiration. The exhibition features several works from each artist, curated to highlight our distinct voices while revealing the harmony among them.
Calvin deRuyter — A Hamline University–trained painter, Calvin has received 29 awards for his work, including four Best in Show honors. His paintings explore visual tension through color, texture, and the balance between organic and geometric forms.
Lyssa Lovejoy — Lyssa blends Contemporary, Abstract, and Expressionist influences to explore themes of humanity, resilience, and empathy. Her works often include hidden text — quiet messages that invite reflection.
Jackie Henning — Working in mixed media, Jackie combines photography, paint, plaster, and natural materials to reveal the beauty in ordinary things. Her art is tactile, layered, and deeply curious.
Stephen Henning — My own contribution reflects my ongoing journey as a contemporary impressionist painter, exploring light and atmosphere in natural settings. My roots in design have shaped a lifelong fascination with how color and form evoke emotion.
Light as Common Ground
Though our creative paths are distinct, light connects us all — literally and metaphorically. It’s what painters chase, photographers capture, and sculptors shape. In a world often clouded by distraction and noise, art reminds us to notice what glows quietly in the background: beauty, meaning, and connection.
When you visit Four Points of Light, I hope you’ll experience how different visions can harmonize — not through sameness, but through shared intention.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Title: Four Points of Light
Opening Reception: October 10, 2025, 5–8 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: September 27 – October 25, 2025
Venue: Creative Flow Art Center, 110 77th Way NE, Fridley, MN
Admission: Free
Creative Flow Art Center — a sister location to Rumriver Art Center — is housed in an historic Fridley fire station, a space reborn for creative community. Their mission aligns beautifully with ours: to make art accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for all.
If you’re in the Twin Cities area this fall, I invite you to stop by to see the exhibition. Better yet, join us at the Reception on October 10. Come meet the artists, share in the conversation, and celebrate the ways art continues to bring light — and connection — into our lives.
— Stephen Henning
www.stephenhenningfineart.com
stephen@stephenhenningfineart.com