Waseca Art Center welcomes watercolorist Cherie Jacobson, photographer Harry Popiel

The Waseca Art Center (WAC) held a gallery opening for two artists on Thursday, Sept. 25. Displays by water color painter and Waseca local Cherie Jacobson and photographer Harry Popiel will now be on display until Oct. 31.

 

While recovering from brain surgery in 2018, and with a lot of time to spare, Cherie Jacobson, taught herself to paint using water colors as a therapeutic outlet, which blossomed into a passion. Her first words to the group of art seekers were, “I am grateful, overwhelmed and honored you’re all here to see my stuff.” After introducing her, WAC President Mikhail Rostislavovich, requested that she explain her process a little and asked her fans for a minimum of five questions. Jacobson laughingly said, “I can’t imagine what anyone would want to ask.” 

 

One question concerned the paints she prefers. “I am in love with the Daniel Smith paints, (which are available online), the ground-up minerals they use in their paints are amazing. For example, for the purple colors they use crushed amethyst.” A murmur flowed through the crowd before there came a follow-up question, “Can you talk a little about your elephant painting?” Her husband Larry sort of replied for her, “We saw the elephant picture before it was done.” Jacobson continued and said light-heartedly, “My family gave me a hard time about that elephant picture; they saw it before the shading in back was done but that painting has gotten a lot of feedback and it’s all positive.” Near the elephant was a picture of a dragonfly. Said Jacobson, “That picture was one of my earliest, I love nature and animals.” There were other animals including mice, zebras, and starfish. Those, she said, were modeled after images she found online. She went on to say, “But I have no trouble finding inspiration in southern Minnesota.”

 

The Beckmann Gallery features a retrospective look at Harry Popiel, a photographer who died in 2019. Popiel, moved to Waseca with his wife, son and daughter in 1984 and focused much of his time on capturing natural settings and images including landscapes, waterfalls, and water-related scenes. He traveled throughout southern Minnesota. When his wife died earlier this year, she bequeathed his photos to the Northfield Arts Guild who donated his work. Originally from the east coast, Mr. Popiel was tireless in getting the Waseca County Veterans Memorial in front of the courthouse built. His photographs may be recognizable because his work has been exhibited in art centers throughout southern Minnesota over the years.

 

After the introduction and questions, guests were encouraged to mingle and enjoy refreshments including chocolate tiers and sparkling cider. Cherie Jacobson will also be teaching a fall landscape watercolor class at the Waseca Art Center located at 200 North State St. on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5-7 p.m. There will also be a get-together at the Starfire Black and White room on Saturday, Oct. 25 to celebrate 50 years of the Waseca Art Center. The evening will include appetizers, full bar, and music by Crista Bohlmann. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door.