Staff photo by Fritz Busch Aitkin artist Olivia Hoppe opens her exhibit at The Grand Center for Arts and Culture Friday. He work entitled "Death Comes in 3s" depicts owls and human body parts. The exhibit continues through Aug. 2.

NEW ULM — The Grand Center for the Arts and Culture has a new art exhibit.

Aitkin artist Olivia Hoppe grew up fishing and engaging in other outdoor activities with her family.

She said her father created many Native American crafts and taught her techniques that influenced her art work that reflects her passion for natural materials she prefers to use in her art.

Hoppe uses homegrown gourds, wood and even bone as her canvases, adding inspiration and prompting viewers to investigate her compositions more closely. She uses mostly pen and ink with acrylic paint for color.

She told why she created one of her favorite paintings, “Death Comes in 3s.” The art work depicts owls and human body parts.

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life. My parents and grand parents are gone. I have a preoccupation with death,” Hoppe said.

Some of her other works of art include stringers of fish, painted with bright, acrylic paint.

She took as many art classes as she could in high school and at Central Lakes College before she got married and moved to the Alexandria area.

Hoppe said her husband farms. She began collecting and using bones from former farm animals in her work.

“I’ve spent the last 15 years mostly doing custom work. I prefer using as many natural materials as possible. Lately, I’ve been going to area craft shows. I’m trying to get my work out in a gallery setting. I look forward to seeing where this path takes me,” she said.

Hoppe’s art exhibit continues to 3 p.m., Aug. 2 at The Grand Center for Arts and Culture, 210 North Minnesota St.

For more information, visit https://thegrandnewulm.org/events/