K-12 Educators and Students Exhibition

On view May 2 – May 31, 2026
Main Gallery
Free public opening reception Friday, May 15, 6 – 8 pm

Returning this May, the K–12 Educators and Students Exhibition celebrates the impactful work of local educators and their students. This juried exhibition highlights the essential role of arts education in our community, showcasing a range of creative projects developed in K–12 classrooms. Selected works will be featured in an in-person exhibition in the Galusha Gallery, alongside the Members Exhibition. To protect student privacy, artists will be identified by first name and last initial only.

2026 Panelists

Mike Helke grew up in Minnesota’s St. Croix Valley, where he still resides with his wife and two sons in Stillwater. Since receiving an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2011, he has taught at various institutions including Carleton College, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and the University of Wisconsin—River Falls, where he has served as an Assistant Professor and Ceramics Program Director since 2018. In addition to his commitment to family and teaching, Helke maintains a rigorous full-time studio practice. This research has been exhibited, presented, and published across the country at organizations including Harvard University, the Anderson Ranch Art Center, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, and the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis. Helke is a two-time recipient of the Carleton College Dayton Hudson Distinguished Teacher/Artist award and has received grant awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. In 2020, he was a United States Artist Fellowship nominee.

Makilyn Koep graduated from Iowa State University with a BFA focusing on ceramics, painting, and mixed media. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota to receive a Master’s in Education, specializing in culturally relevant curriculum and the value of the art-making process over the final product. While completing her graduate studies, she began her tenure at the Rumriver Art Center as a volunteer clay technician. Clay has long been her primary medium—a tactile means of exploring both sculptural and functional forms. The flourishing creative community in Anoka has inspired her professional trajectory within the organization, moving from volunteer to teaching artist and Creative Director. In 2024, she was named the Executive Director of the Rumriver Art Center. As a process-focused and community-driven artist, Koep is dedicated to the healing power of art and its ability to foster deep human connection. Her work and leadership continue to be motivated by a desire to expand artistic opportunities and impact within her community.