A new public art exhibition titled 'Of the Earth' has opened at Ortenstone Gardens and Sculpture Park in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The exhibition features three sculptures by Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska, who is also the park's first artist-in-residence, supported by local nonprofit Project 412. The works incorporate natural materials like river rocks, sticks, and grass, and join Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture 'Barefoot Frida' as permanent attractions at the 50-acre park, which was donated to the city by the Mark and Cindy Fritz Foundation.
This exhibition matters because it represents a growing trend of environmentally focused public art in small communities, blending ecological awareness with cultural tourism. Ortenstone Gardens has already drawn thousands of visitors as a destination for 'troll hunters,' and the addition of Ziemska's work strengthens its role as a regional arts hub. The project also highlights how private philanthropy and nonprofit collaboration can transform donated land into a lasting public asset, fostering community engagement and attracting visitors to the lakes area.