Pine Needles Gallery

Every year at Pine Needles cabin on the St. Croix Watershed Research Station grounds, artists — painters, writers, photographers, and more — investigate the intersection of art and science within Minnesota’s natural environments.

Their creations offer fresh perspectives on landscapes we think we know: the sinuous patterns of rivers, wind-swept grasses in motion, even the iridescent surface of a freshwater mollusk. Through various mediums including words and paintings, these artists-in-residence document Minnesota’s evolving landscapes, exchange insights with scientists to spark innovative thinking, and engage with nearby communities who inhabit these same spaces.

Each residency concludes with artists contributing at least one piece to the museum’s onsite collection. Currently displayed is a vibrant assemblage of 29 artworks by Pine Needles creators, selected by their scientific colleagues who recognize the beauty and vitality found along the shores of a major Mississippi River tributary.

Learn more about the St. Croix Watershed Research Station.