From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. 

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Honoring Marley Kaul’s legacy in book and gallery

Visual artist Paula Swenson remembers painter and former Bemidji State University professor Marley Kaul (1939–2021) as a mentor and a creative force in northern Minnesota.

Swenson is excited for a new retrospective coffee table book, “Marley Kaul: Paintings,” covering six decades of his work.

Book launch events include:

Sept. 18, 5–8 p.m. at Open Book in Minneapolis

Sept. 23, 5–7 p.m. at the Watermark Arts Center in Bemidji

Sept. 25, 5–7 p.m. at the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks

A corresponding retrospective exhibition of Kaul’s work is also on view at the Talley Gallery at Bemidji State University through Oct. 30.

Paula recalls one memorable moment turned painting: My husband and I were over to his house, talking to him, and just at that time, a bird of prey flew under the deck — under Marley. It was just that fast.

And later on in that month, we went to visit, and Marley had done a painting of that experience, of the bird flying underneath him, under the deck and out again.

— Paula Swenson

A call and response: Peter Williams at MCAD

Independent curator and art consultant Esther Callahan recommends “Peter Williams: Homegoing — A Call and Response,” on view at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design through Nov. 1.

Esther says: The longer you look, the more you will see the depth of connections that are built into the space. For example, there are sight lines in this exhibition that have artists like Russell Hamilton directly communicating with seangarrison that beautifully builds on the narrative that is foregrounded in this exhibition by Peter Williams in memory and remembrance of his passing in 2021.

This exhibit itself is rooted in honoring the complex experiences of Black Americans through historical and contemporary narratives with both a really good sense of humor and candid honesty.

It’s really important to note that this exhibit is supported by a chorus of 15 Minnesota-based Black artists responding to Williams profoundly human, critical and beautiful work.

— Esther Callahan

Songs with names take center stage

Allison Amy Wedell of St. Paul is Alto 2 Section Leader of the Twin Cities Women's Choir. She’s looking forward to the comedic cabaret “What’s In a Name?” happening for one night only on Sept. 22 at the Hive Collaborative in St. Paul.

Allison says: “What’s in a Name?” is the brainchild of local actress and singer Jen Maren and local pianist and teacher, Andrew Fleser, who noticed the impressive and varied array of songs with names for titles and decided we needed to hear as many of them as they could fit into one show!

I’m already familiar with Jen Maren’s work, especially in her role as the murderess Marjorie Congdon in “Glensheen” at the History Theatre, but I understand that for the first time, she weaved some original stand-up comedy in among the music.

Fleser's gorgeous accompaniment and quiet zingers provide the perfect foil for Maren's raucous charm.

— Allison Amy Wedell

Correction (Sept. 20, 2025): An earlier version of this story misstated the singer’s name in the comedic cabaret section and the Art Hound’s name. The story has been updated with the correct names.