Douglas County Lake Brophy Park Project

Artist In Residence
Tamera Isfeld and John K Sterner were chosen to be the artists in residence for the Douglas County Lake Brophy Park as well as the Granite Falls Memorial Park.  They have embraced the assignment and have moved this project forward.

​Isfeld and Sterner held several community gathering sessions throughout their year of residency, which started in the fall of 2024.  There were session on painting, mosaic creation, pottery, and wood sculpting.  The community had the opportunity to create their own artwork (including pottery) or assist the the creation of the mosaic for the park.

The sessions gathered the community and introduced them to experiences or opportunities they may not have had before.  People who came to the park for the outdoor recreation found the opportunity to learn about art.  People who came for the art sessions were introduced to the parks and the opportunities that the parks offer, such as trails, playgrounds, fishing, etc.  This fulfilled the vision of the MNPAiR program creators.

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Community Art Sessions Introduced the Community to Art Creation 

Group creating mosaics

Art and Nature Were Intertwined.
People created their own art, often involving nature, but always at the park.

Nature painting created by John Sterner

Tamara guiding group creating artwork

Pottery gets 'kiln' fired at the park

Finished pottery pieces

A Mosaic and Sculpture Were Created for the Park

Wall before the mural

Wall with finished mural

Close up of the finished mural

Metal sculpture created for park

Tamara Isfeld has always been fascinated with drawing, painting, ceramics, stained glass, and just about any art process, though painting and mosaic remain her main media of expression.

Trained as a teacher specializing in Art Education, giving back to the community where she lives continues to play a significant role in her life decades into her practice. She has nurtured and leads her local arts council and its many new initiatives, travels at request to create murals and public sculpture and mosaics, and consistently shows her own work.

As a Parks Resident Artist team (with John K Sterner), together they are excited to creatively and collaboratively foster a greater sense of community and respectful belonging in the gift of natural shared space.

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John K. Sterner is a Sicangu Lakota Artist from Southwestern Minnesota who also teaches art at the primary, secondary and collegiate levels, trying to fulfill the ideal that Black Elk stated a Lakota warrior was; a provider, a teacher, a parent, an uncle, and a defender. .John is an celebrated artist, winning several awards over the years in sculpture and painting. You will find him always with a pencil, pen, or paints ready to take on another challenge.

As a Parks Resident Artist team (with Tamara Isfeld), together they are excited to creatively and collaboratively foster a greater sense of community and respectful belonging in the gift of natural shared space.

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