Granite Falls Memorial Park Project
Artist In Residence
Tamera Isfeld and John K Sterner were chosen to be the artists in residence for the Granite Falls Memorial Park as well as the Douglas County Lake Brophy Park. They have embraced the assignment and have moved this project forward.
One of the goals of having an artist in residence was to work with the community to engage the public in both the parks and with the art that is being created. They have been very active to bring the community into the project.
Tamera Isfeld and John K Sterner were chosen to be the artists in residence for the Granite Falls Memorial Park as well as the Douglas County Lake Brophy Park. They have embraced the assignment and have moved this project forward.
One of the goals of having an artist in residence was to work with the community to engage the public in both the parks and with the art that is being created. They have been very active to bring the community into the project.
A gathering was held to introduce people in the Granite Falls area to the project. Each program within the project as a whole reflects the area community; whether it be their history, their principles, their plans for the future, or other community ideas.
The projects were designed to bring the community to the park and help the people learn about and relate with the park. They also helped to engage more public involvement in the park by giving the people the pride of involvement.
During the summer, Tamara and John led a series of workshops at Granite Falls Memorial Park. The sessions offered hands-on participation in mosaic creation, plein air painting, and ceramics.
Mosaic
One project became the creation of a mosaic mural. Sketches and paintings were created and approved. Tamara held free mosaic building art classes for the public to learn how to and help create the mosaic for the park. The participants were able to build portions of the permanent mosaic at the park. This helps people feel more connected to the park as well as brings the people back to the park to enjoy the art they helped to create.
One project became the creation of a mosaic mural. Sketches and paintings were created and approved. Tamara held free mosaic building art classes for the public to learn how to and help create the mosaic for the park. The participants were able to build portions of the permanent mosaic at the park. This helps people feel more connected to the park as well as brings the people back to the park to enjoy the art they helped to create.
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Wooden Sculpture in Process
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John Showing painting techniques to girl who is recording on her phone
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Light The Way
In February 2025, the park, in conjunction with MNPAiR, created an event called "Light The Way, Granite Falls - An Evening Luminary Walk at Memorial Park". Ice luminaries were created by park staff and the public; then placed along the north bike/walk trail along the river in the park. Tamara Isfeld was on hand to serve hot chocolate with marshmallows. She also shared some ideas of art pieces they were considering for the park and received feedback from those who participated. She also shared ideas for fun art activities that can be done for or at Memorial Park.
In February 2025, the park, in conjunction with MNPAiR, created an event called "Light The Way, Granite Falls - An Evening Luminary Walk at Memorial Park". Ice luminaries were created by park staff and the public; then placed along the north bike/walk trail along the river in the park. Tamara Isfeld was on hand to serve hot chocolate with marshmallows. She also shared some ideas of art pieces they were considering for the park and received feedback from those who participated. She also shared ideas for fun art activities that can be done for or at Memorial Park.
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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.
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.
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.
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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Questions? Contact [email protected]
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