Visit Us
Visit Us
at The Grand Center for Arts & Culture
We love our historic building and would love to give you a tour! Call or stop in to schedule a tour of our spaces during regular operating hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays | 11am – 4pm.
A handicap accessible entrance is located in the rear of the building.
210 North Minnesota St, New Ulm, MN
Artwork in the Grand
"Self-Reflection" by Bridget Gusso
Pizza Oven Mosaic
I had initially planned a different design for this oven project. However, in June (also Pride month) of 2019, one week before my start of this project, I heard a news story that U.S. embassies were denied permission to fly the LGBTQIA+ pride flag on their embassy flag poles. I was brought to a breaking point by the inappropriate comments coming from then President Donald Trump around this situation. I felt so frustrated and devastated by this feeling that our society was going backwards on basic human rights and human dignity that I decided to change my design to something that would represent silenced communities in the US such as people of color, especially women of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community. My images were inspired by one of my favorite artists, Breanna McCarthy. She creates these beautiful paper collages called “Paper Queens,” inspired by her Afro-Caribbean roots. They are vibrant, full of pattern and color, and absolutely breathtaking to me! We live in a community that is predominantly white and I felt it important to choose women we don’t see much of in our everyday lives and incorporate different flags that represent people of the LGBTQIA+ community, because they are also a part of our community here. I especially find this important for LGBTQIA+ youth in our town to know that they are seen, heard, supported, and beautiful just as they are and were meant to be! I can only imagine how isolating a LGBTQIA+ youth would feel in a small community that doesn’t always reflect open-mindedness or inclusivity. The background of this piece is covered in mirrors. When you are looking at these beautiful women, who do not look like most of us in this community, you cannot help but see yourself at the same time. This is a way for us to visualize empathy. I believe empathy is one of the greatest qualities any of us can possess! In a world that has become so divided over these past five years, we need to be able to see ourselves in others! It’s what allows us to have compassion for one another! The title is two-fold: it is a reminder to try to see yourself with and in others, especially if you can’t get past the implicit bias some associate with particular physical differences. This piece is asking you to do some self-reflection! None of us choses our pigments or our parts. We ALL have the right to be treated with human decency, and we have the same basic human rights! The choice we do have is our character! Please choose to see yourself in others and fight for inclusion, equality, and basic human rights!
I had initially planned a different design for this oven project. However, in June (also Pride month) of 2019, one week before my start of this project, I heard a news story that U.S. embassies were denied permission to fly the LGBTQIA+ pride flag on their embassy flag poles. I was brought to a breaking point by the inappropriate comments coming from then President Donald Trump around this situation. I felt so frustrated and devastated by this feeling that our society was going backwards on basic human rights and human dignity that I decided to change my design to something that would represent silenced communities in the US such as people of color, especially women of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community. My images were inspired by one of my favorite artists, Breanna McCarthy. She creates these beautiful paper collages called “Paper Queens,” inspired by her Afro-Caribbean roots. They are vibrant, full of pattern and color, and absolutely breathtaking to me! We live in a community that is predominantly white and I felt it important to choose women we don’t see much of in our everyday lives and incorporate different flags that represent people of the LGBTQIA+ community, because they are also a part of our community here. I especially find this important for LGBTQIA+ youth in our town to know that they are seen, heard, supported, and beautiful just as they are and were meant to be! I can only imagine how isolating a LGBTQIA+ youth would feel in a small community that doesn’t always reflect open-mindedness or inclusivity. The background of this piece is covered in mirrors. When you are looking at these beautiful women, who do not look like most of us in this community, you cannot help but see yourself at the same time. This is a way for us to visualize empathy. I believe empathy is one of the greatest qualities any of us can possess! In a world that has become so divided over these past five years, we need to be able to see ourselves in others! It’s what allows us to have compassion for one another! The title is two-fold: it is a reminder to try to see yourself with and in others, especially if you can’t get past the implicit bias some associate with particular physical differences. This piece is asking you to do some self-reflection! None of us choses our pigments or our parts. We ALL have the right to be treated with human decency, and we have the same basic human rights! The choice we do have is our character! Please choose to see yourself in others and fight for inclusion, equality, and basic human rights!
La Familia II by Paul Granlund
La Familia II is a bronze sculpture, created by Paul Granlund, a prolific and influential Minnesota sculptor. It was purchase in the Fall of 1986 from Granlund’s studio and foundry at Gustavus by the church members of the United Church of Christ in New Ulm. La Familia II was purchased as a memorial to Marjorie F. Gislason, a much loved, active member of the church’s congregation and community. On August 29, 2021, UCC New Ulm voted to gift the sculpture to The Grand, provided the sculpture would continue to be displayed for the public.
Mural Painting of one of Alphonse Mucha's Women by Maggie Schwab
I was born & raised in New Ulm, a graduate of Cathedral High. I stuck around, married and raised my three children here too.
I am a self-taught artist. Now, being newly retired, I plan on expanding my life in the art world. Learn more, try more and enjoy more!!!
This mural is a painting of one of Alphonse Mucha’s women. He had two representing “music” & “dance”. We chose one when forming The Grand Kabaret. At the time, knowing one of our goals was to bring beautiful music to New Ulm, she could be there, on the wall over looking what what we had all worked for and created.
The Grand Wall Mural on the Deck by Julie Johnson Fahrforth and Craig Nagel
There is a philosopher, named Kallen, who talked about “the aesthetic moment – when everything becomes one”. With all creative endeavors it is always my end goal to bring a piece together. The 3 windows at The Grand are meant to depict what is going on inside; music, acting, and art. I first picked the gold base color to compliment the color of The Grand itself, and the color holds the piece together. Craig Nagel (Renaissance man extraordinaire) assisted in painting The Grand Mural – and I assisted Craig. We have done other big public art pieces together. Our current project is my restaurant/bar/gallery, The Blue Boat in Mankato. I enjoy being creative and having many ways to express aesthetics.