In 2022, Minnesota artist Dougie Padilla’s great friend, Ojibwe artist Jim Denomie, passed away suddenly. Shortly thereafter, Dougie visited ArtReach’s exceptional show of Jim’s last work, “Sweet Dreams.” To face his grief, Dougie dove into an intense aesthetic and spiritual conversation with Jim and his art. Within six months, 60+ works of art had been born. This show is the best of those efforts.

“Conversations with Jim” is on view through Saturday, May 11. Free and open to everyone during regular gallery hours and during special events.

Valley Reads in the St. Croix Valley is presented by ArtReach St. Croix in conjunction with core program partners including Valley Bookseller and public libraries located between St. Croix Falls, WI and Hastings, MN. Valley Reads 2024 is supported by Hugh J. Andersen Foundation.