Life at the Water’s Edge
November 5, 2025 through January 5, 2025
Fabric Collages by Natalija Walbridge

Opening reception: Friday, November 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The beauty and fragility of wetland habitats, from the vast St. Louis River Estuary and Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to the small, sheltered haven of Hearding Island near Park Point, are honored in Life at the Water’s Edge, a series of 12 fabric collages by Natalija Walbridge. Each large-scale piece invites a dual experience—from a distance, they evoke the fluidity and richness of a painting; up close, the layers of fabric and intricate stitching reveal the meditative process of cutting, shaping, and assembling each fragment. Walbridge hopes “visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for wetlands and the species that depend on them.” The artist’s goal is to inspire curiosity and wonder, “encouraging everyone to slow down, look closely, and notice the intricate details of the natural world.”

Natalija Walbridge is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.