Know Thyself:
A Voyage to Self Discovery and Consciousness
Selections from the Permanent Collection
West Gallery
January - December 30, 2027
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Curators Statement:
"Know thyself." The ancient words carved at Delphi remain one of humanity’s most enduring calls. Not a search for distant lands or treasures, but a voyage inward, into the labyrinth of consciousness. This exhibition, drawn from the museum’s collection, brings together works that reflect the timeless human quest for identity, authenticity, and purpose. It is a journey as old as humanity itself, told through myths and oral traditions, carried forward in poems and music, painted in symbols and abstractions, and reimagined across generations.
Art has always served as a threshold to self-understanding. It does not strike with certainty but invites reflection. Line, shape, color, rhythm, harmony, and contrast, the very elements and principles of art, become metaphors for the human condition: a line tracing the path of life, light and shadow mirroring the psyche’s dualities, harmony and dissonance echoing our inner struggles and resolutions. The processes of creation; layering, erasure, juxtaposition, repetition; enact the very work of becoming, revealing the unfinished nature of identity itself.
To know oneself is to wrestle with shadow and light, with the masks we present and the truths we conceal. Philosophers and psychologists remind us that the self is not fixed, but relational, formed in dialogue with others, with nature, and with the cosmos. Yet in the digital age, this pursuit of self-knowledge is increasingly shadowed by the algorithmic mirror. Digital systems amplify our unacknowledged shadows, inflating fear, envy, and outrage, while curating fragile personae hungry for validation. What emerges is an “algorithmic self,” curated but hollow, driven by data yet disconnected from authenticity.
The objects gathered here resist such algorithmic reductions. They reclaim art as a vessel of wisdom, insisting on the power of direct encounter with material, image, and form. In their presence, we are asked to pause, to reflect, and to listen to remember that wisdom begins not with endless consumption but with stillness, attention, and creativity. Out of silence and longing comes the declaration: “I am here”. This is not only a statement of existence but of connection, a reminder that to know oneself is to locate our being within a larger whole of humanity, nature, and the visible and invisible universe.
To know thyself is not a solitary act. It is a call to growth, humility, and integration, weaving together the intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual dimensions of being. It is an affirmation of authenticity and a return to love, hope, and truth. This exhibition invites you into that labyrinth, into a place of mirrors and shadows, of questions and revelations to confront the most enduring question of all time: Who are you? And perhaps, in the quiet between image and reflection, to find the courage to answer; “I am here.”
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Cityscape
Richard Hanson
Second Floor Gallery
January 31 - March 28, 2026
Artist Statement
I have a strong interest in the history of art and its relationship with the culture in which it was created. The Italian Renaissance with its tremendous innovation and artistic production, fascinates me.
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Living, working, and traveling in Italy has given me an immersive exposure to its art, culture, language, and history. Italy is a storied country with a stunning visual history. Its people have a reverence for its art, architecture, and historical monuments. All ancient structures are preserved, and thus Italian cities have a very historical feel. While in Italy, I spend much of my time walking the streets searching for painting ideas.
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As an artist, I have always been attracted to imagery that is less than pristine. I find myself drawn to highly detailed textural images. I shape space with high contrast blacks and whites while leaving appropriate space for strategic color and texture. As a representational painter, the formal qualities of design are paramount.
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As a technical watercolor artist, I plan the progression of my composition, color, and areas of visual impact prior to commencing a painting. A detailed well-planned drawing is important for success. Watercolor is not a very forgiving medium due to its nature.
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I find painting the detailed minutia of an image very satisfying and enjoyable. Over the years, I have conditioned myself to accept the long process of my painting style and find it meditative. I have also come to the realization that for me, the process of painting is just as important as the finished work.
Bio:
Richard Hanson is a representational watercolor artist and art educator whose career spans over fifty years. His current work focuses on his highly textured visual impressions of the streets of Italy. His work illustrates the contrast between ancient architectural structures, streets and contemporary life.
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Hanson’s work has been exhibited over 150 times throughout the nation earning many juror awards. Most notably, OK Harris Works of Art, New York, NY, National Watercolor Society, Los Angeles, Ca, and American Watercolor Society, New York, NY.
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Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Richard Hanson is a 1967 graduate of St Edmond High School. He holds an AA Degree from Iowa Central Community College, a BA degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Art Education and an MA in Studio Art (Painting) from Minnesota State University.
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Hanson spent his working career as an art educator in the Fort Dodge Community Schools as well as Iowa Central Community College.
Pond Paintings
Kim Bromley
East Gallery
February 7 - April 18, 2026
Artist Statement:
For the past 15 years, my creative journey has been deeply rooted in the tranquil beauty of my pond in rural Minnesota, situated on 20 acres of enchanting landscape—12 acres of lush woods and an 8-acre pond. This serene environment has served as my studio, where I paint en plein air, celebrating the light and color that dance across the water and foliage.
In 2019, I embarked on a transformative journey to France, where I had the privilege of studying Monet's masterpieces and exploring his exquisite gardens in Giverny. This experience ignited a spark of inspiration that has profoundly influenced my work. After two years of reflection, the vivid scenes I encountered in France have begun to materialize on my canvas.
My paintings intertwine the motifs that inspired so much of Monet's most celebrated work, capturing the spirit of nature in vibrant color and light. Each piece is a dynamic composition, reflecting my unique interpretation of the gardens that Monet so lovingly crafted. Through my art, I invite viewers to immerse themselves in this extraordinary interplay of light and color, allowing the beauty of nature to resonate within them just as it has within me.