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Join us for the upcoming Twin Rivers Best in Art!Best in Art is held three times annually and is open to artists of all disciplines. Each event features three artists showcasing their work in hopes of being awarded $1,000. All three of artists receive a stipend for participating. Those attending vote for which artist will receive the $1,000. Come and be part of the fun. Everyone is welcome!
9.23.25, 5:30-7:00 pm
Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz, 523 S. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001
www.twinriversarts.org/best-in-art-v925
Presenting Artists:
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John Armendariz
John Armendariz is an ink and watercolor artist focusing on wildlife. His work often blends realistic animals with abstract backgrounds, and uses bold linework to bring energy and movement to each piece. He is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and currently earning his BFA in Drawing at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Nature is a big part of who he is, and he uses my art to share that connection.
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Michael Wiechmann
Michael Wiechmann graduated from Bethany in 2010 with a studio art degree and later earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is beginning his fourteenth year of teaching art and his fourth year at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. He lives in New Ulm and is part of Sweet Haven Artist Studios in downtown New Ulm.
Balancing contentment with a continual drive for growth, Michael enjoys challenging his own values and exploring the creative potential of everyday materials. Recently, he has been working with cardboard and experimenting with construction materials, finding inspiration in creating beauty from commonly undervalued resources. He believes that too often artists wait for the perfect tool or moment to create, while he embraces the immediacy of making art in life’s in-between moments.
As a father of six children under the age of eleven, the joyful noise of family life forms the background to his creative process, where progress often comes in small but meaningful steps. This show reflects his philosophy, using free and accessible materials to emphasize playful exploration as a central theme. Michael cherishes the opportunity to be an artist amidst the everyday and expresses deep gratitude for the mentors, family, and friends who have supported his journey.
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Benjamin Williams
Benjamin Williams is a local Mankato luthier, who has been handcrafting fine acoustic instruments for the last twenty-one years. He owns and operates Hogbac Acoustics, LLC which sells his handcrafted acoustic builds, and provides a full spectrum of stringed instrument repair to individuals from all around Southern Minnesota.
Williams builds a variety of instruments for Hogbac Acoustics, LLC. These instruments range from arch top guitars to parlor sized guitars, mandolins, and every size of ukulele. Williams uses reclaimed and domestic woods for the majority of his instruments, with some exotic woods, shell, and pearl for inlay work. Over the years Williams has developed his own unique acoustic instrument building techniques, and he utilizes these with every new instrument made for Hogbac Acoustics, LLC. With each piece of wood, Williams creates a distinct and irreplaceable acoustic instrument. These instruments will last for generations, and provide countless hours of enjoyment for all who play and own them.
Hogbac Acoustics, LLC also offers a wide range of expert stringed instrument repair, ranging from basic guitar set-ups needs all the way to major structural restorations. Some of the most frequent guitar repair needs Williams’ encounters across his bench include crack repair, fret replacement, truss rod adjustments, and electronic instillations.
Williams graduated from Minnesota State College-Southeast Tech with a luthier degree in Musical String Instrument Repair. He later returned to Southeast Tech in 2011, in order to continue to expand his acoustic instrument knowledge, and sharpen his skills. Williams graduated from the Advanced String Instrument Construction program in 2012. In the fall of 2019 Williams joined the faculty at Minnesota State College-Southeast Tech, as an adjunct professor teaching courses in advanced guitar repair and arch top construction within the Red Wing Guitar Program.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
523 S 2nd St, Mankato, MN 56001-3705, United States
