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    The Longville Lakes Arts Center will welcome the return of artists Stephanie Johnson, Angie Arden and Kimberly Krulas with their newest collaborative exhibit, “Fresh Water Otter,” opening Monday, June 30.

   The exhibit is a continuation of the mother-daughter trio’s 2025 collaboration, A Wild Walk Through the Woods, which followed woodland wildlife along a forest trail to the shores of Lake Inguadona. This year’s exhibit continues the journey, introducing an otter as a playful guide leading visitors from the woods into the water, where they encounter new wildlife and aquatic scenes celebrating Minnesota’s freshwater ecosystems.

   A Meet the Artists Wine and Cheese Reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Longville Lakes Arts Center. The public is invited to attend.

   In addition to the artwork, the exhibit features an original poetry collection created specifically for the show. The artists developed what they call “Hydroku,” a freshwater adaptation of the traditional haiku. Each poem follows the classic 5-7-5 syllable format while highlighting the beauty of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, and encouraging stewardship of natural water resources.

   The exhibit also incorporates the Ojibwe phrase “Nibi gaa-bimaaji’iiwemagak,” meaning, “It is water that gives life,” reinforcing the show’s message of environmental appreciation and conservation.

Johnson, Arden and Krulas have each spent decades creating art individually before combining their talents in recent years. Inspired by family visits to the Longville area, their collaborative work celebrates wildlife, the outdoors and the shared memories that continue to inspire their creativity.

   The exhibit will be on display at the Longville Lakes Arts Center beginning June 30. Admission is open to the public during the Arts Center’s regular gallery hours.

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