The exhibition, titled “Mní Wičóni” (Dakota for “Water is Life”), opened June 1. It features nature photography and video. An artist reception is scheduled for June 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. It will include a Dakota blessing ceremony by elder Dwayne Goodfaith from the Lower Brule Reservation and indigenous foods.

Kellen has worked as a photographer, cinematographer and videographer while leading The Grand. After a 30-year career in international business, academia and philanthropy that spanned more than 60 countries, he returned to Minnesota to help care for his parents.

“I’ve always loved photography,” Kellen said. “I received my first camera when I was very young.”

He gained darkroom experience as a teenager and during a January-term field photography class at Gustavus Adolphus College. He began in pre-med with plans to become a radiologist. 

Trumpeter swans take flight near Sibley Street Park in Willmar. Once nearly extinct due to DDT, the swans have returned as Minnesota waters have improved. (Photo by John Kellen)

He later worked as a cameraman on documentary films with retired state Rep. Dean Urdahl. Those projects included films tied to Urdahl’s book “Uprising” about the U.S.-Dakota War.

Kellen has taken classes at Film North and describes himself as largely self-taught. He primarily shoots with Nikon digital cameras and produces color and black-and-white images.

His nature photography draws from time spent hiking, climbing and living in places such as Yellowstone National Park for four years. He also spent time as a ski bum in Colorado.

The “Mní Wičóni” exhibition highlights water and its connection to the land. It is on view at the Kouba Gallery, located on the Minnesota River on traditional Dakota homeland. Kellen connected with Joseph Barisonzi of the Izaak Walton League at a water conference in Mankato.

Images in the show include fancy dancers at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux powwow, a sunset over Foot Lake in Willmar, a waterfall at Cascade State Park and other scenes. Kellen photographed the powwow images at Shakopee, a Dakota word meaning “six” or “little six.”

Fancy dancers perform at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux powwow. Images from the powwow are part of John Kellen’s solo exhibition “Mní Wičóni” (Water is Life) at the Izaak Walton League’s Les Kouba Gallery in Bloomington. (Photo by John Kellen)

Foot Lake was heavily polluted when Kellen was growing up, with contaminants from railroad dumping. The city of Willmar later cleaned and dredged it. The lake now has a sandy beach and swimming area.

Kellen worked with indigenous communities for nearly 40 years, beginning with the Diné (Navajo), Apache and Tohono O’odham in Arizona. In Minnesota and South Dakota he has collaborated with Dakota elders and participated in film projects involving Dakota riders.

The exhibition title references Dakota teachings, including “Mní Sota Makhóčhe” (Land Where the Waters Reflect the Sky) and “Mitákuye Owás’iŋ” (“we are all related.”) Kellen said the work reflects respect for the environment and the relationship between people, water and land.

One image shows trumpeter swans taking flight near Sibley Park near Willmar. The swans were nearly extinct due to DDT but have returned after the pesticide was banned. Another shows a frog at Upper Sioux Agency State Park, an indicator species for watershed health.

Kellen served as executive director of The Grand Center for the Arts for about two and a half years. The nonprofit occupies a historic hotel in downtown New Ulm and offers concerts, cabaret performances, workshops, classes, artist residencies and gallery space.

Installation view of John Kellen’s solo exhibition “Mní Wičóni” (Water is Life) at the Les Kouba Gallery in Bloomington. The show opened June 1. (Photo by John Kellen)

The organization operates with a budget of nearly $500,000. Kellen said the center focuses on grant writing, donor relations and community support to remain sustainable. 

Staff members include recent hire Joe Weckwerth and Olivia Norquist, who joined nearly two years ago as marketing and program coordinator. Both have made significant contributions to operations and marketing at The Grand.

Kellen described his role as a legacy project.

“We have to manage resources like any business while keeping the lights on,” Kellen said. “The Grand has a very complex mix of operations including live music in The Kabaret, a full schedule in 4 Pillars art gallery, Cellar Press and the large collection of antique printmaking, letterpress and book bindery equipment, in addition to rental spaces for artists and nonprofits. The Grand also supports arts education programming including Kids Creativity Camps, heART Therapy wellness arts classes and adult classes in Cellar Press and community outreach in nursing homes for seniors.”

Kellen continues his own creative work on days off, including photography, videography and grant writing for personal projects. 

He is working on a documentary film about caring for his mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. During that time he took her on trips to all 72 Minnesota state parks, putting more than 10,000 miles on the car.

Kellen applied for additional grants and is considering other exhibition opportunities. A potential collaboration grant with partners in Henderson would combine music, poetry, printmaking and exhibitions focused on river stories.

The Bloomington exhibition is his first solo show in the Twin Cities metro area. He has shown his work for seven or eight years in communities including Willmar, Marshall and New Ulm. The Kouba Gallery is named for Minnesota wildlife artist Les Kouba.

The Izaak Walton League’s Bloomington chapter is hosting its national convention in July. Kellen has submitted photographs for a possible jury show at the nature center there.

The reception on June 14 is open to the public. For more information on the exhibition or The Grand Center for the Arts, visit the center in New Ulm or check its website.