Thank you for joining us at Art for the River!
"Our River: Mississippi Muse" is on display until Dec. 19. (Photo by Anna Botz for FMR)
Over 100 guests joined Friends of the Mississippi River for the opening reception of Our River: Mississippi Muse at the F-O-K Studio’s third-floor gallery. This is FMR's first juried art exhibition, featuring 18 river-inspired pieces of art by artists connected to Minnesota. Guests got to preview the exhibit and enjoy local food, drinks and an update on the Our River Campaign.
If you missed the opening, you can still see the exhibit through Friday, Dec. 19, during public viewing hours. All pieces are for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting FMR. You can see all the art and buy online here.
This was the final event in a four-part series aimed at raising funds for the Our River Campaign. At the heart of this campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River. The impact will be transformational and enduring in Minnesota and all downstream communities along the 2,350-mile river.
Currently, we have $50,000 in matching funds available for Our River donations made through December 31, 2025. Find more information, watch the campaign video and donate here.
Program highlights
As guests entered the third-floor gallery, they were surrounded by vibrant art that reflected the natural beauty of the Mississippi River. Every piece invites viewers to see each artist’s unique story and see the river in a new light. Attendees were also able to create their own piece of art with local artist and Minnesota Water Steward, Brighton McCormick. Guitarist Tim Sparks played throughout the evening.
FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark and board member Jake Keeler started the evening by sharing the inspiration of Art for the River. As an environmental nonprofit we often focus on science and policy, but we are also supported by an incredibly creative community. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the river and the Our River Campaign than by emphasizing the beauty of the Mississippi River captured by artists. Jake closed his remarks with a heartfelt sentiment, “To all the artists, keep creating. This community brings hope in darkness; this is what keeps me going and fighting the good fight.”
Staff from each of the program areas provided updates on how the Our River Campaign is already impacting FMR’s work. Colleen O’Connor Toberman shared that after 20 long years, we are on the brink of the last city adopting the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area rules this month. FMR remained consistent and persistent in the push for this coordinated management along the metro river. As this wraps up, the Land Use & Planning team turns its focus to the future of two locks and dams in the Twin Cities.
Our Land Conservation team’s capacity has expanded threefold due to the Our River Campaign. We've added two new positions, enabling our ecologists to focus on developing new management plans. Julia Leone, Pollinator Biologist, started a new participatory science program, the Pollinator Evaluation Program, this summer. Those volunteers served over 400 hours, providing FMR with science-based evidence that our restored prairies create quality habitat.
Water Program Director Trevor Russell wants everyone to know that we still need to reduce the big brown spot. Agricultural runoff remains the largest pollutant to the Mississippi River, and FMR is collaborating with stakeholders and legislators to support policies that benefit both farmers and the river. In the coming months, an updated Minnesota Climate Action Framework will be released with a few items FMR is excited about.
The ever-impactful Stewardship & Education team shared staggering numbers for 2025. Their program director, Jacob Cunningham, reflected on how proud he is to work with 2,500 river stewards and protectors who give their free time to the Mississippi. His team is also cultivating the next generation of river stewards. FMR staff visited over 50 classrooms, working with K-12 students to protect our environment.
Thanks to all who participated
Friends of the Mississippi River is grateful for the support in making this event an incredible success! It wouldn't have been possible without everyone who joined us to celebrate the river and its future. Thanks especially to the artists for sharing their gifts with us.
As we near the end of the Our River Campaign, we are grateful to everyone who has attended an event or made a donation to support our critical work.
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Individual sponsors
Corporate sponsors
Our River Campaign lead donors
Friends of the Mississippi River extends our deepest thanks to our lead campaign donors for their investment in FMR and the future of our river. Together, we’re protecting, restoring and enhancing the Mississippi River for this and future generations.
$1,000,000+
Thane & Blanche Hawkins
$500,000 - $999,999
Anonymous
Cochineal Charitable Trust
Steve King & Susan Boren
$100,000 - $499,999
Anonymous (2)
Stewart & Lesley Crosby
Chad & Maggie Dayton
Edward & Sherry Ann Dayton
Ellie Crosby - The Longview Foundation
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Peter & Mary Gove
HRK Foundation
Julia Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation
Art Kaemmer, MD
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation
The Paul and Mary Reyelts Foundation
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation